New Delhi, June 26: The Central Government has revised the fee structure for passport services by amending the Passports Rules, 1980, with the new rates set to come into effect from July 1, 2026.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the fee for a fresh passport or reissue of a 36-page passport has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. The Tatkal fee for the same category has also been raised from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000.
For a fresh or reissued 60-page passport, the application fee has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500. Applicants opting for the Tatkal service will now have to pay Rs 6,000, compared to the earlier fee of Rs 4,000.
The notification states that the amendments have been made under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967, and will be implemented from July 1, 2026.
The revised rules also reaffirm that passports issued to adults will remain valid for up to 10 years. Passports issued to minors will be valid for five years or until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years, whichever is earlier.
In a relief for certain applicants, the government has announced a 10 per cent discount on passport fees for fresh applications submitted by children up to the age of eight years and senior citizens above 60 years. The concession, however, will not apply to passport reissues.
Meanwhile, the MEA also clarified on Wednesday that an Indian passport is strictly a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of Indian citizenship. Officials said the primary purpose of the passport is to facilitate international travel and establish the holder's identity while abroad.
