Applying for a passport after July 1? Check the new fees before you book an appointment

The central government has notified a new passport fee structure that will come into force from July 1, 2026, replacing the existing schedule under the Passports Rules 1980.

According to the official gazette, the amended rules are called the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, and “shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of July, 2026".

The revised rates were published in the Gazette of India through the Ministry of External Affairs notification dated June 20, 2026.

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The purse feels the paperwork

Under the new structure, adults and applicants aged 15 to 18 years who apply under the adult category will pay Rs 2,500 for a fresh or reissued 36-page ordinary passport, compared with the earlier Rs 1,500 fee cited by News On AIR.

The Tatkal charge for the same 36-page category has been fixed at Rs 5,000. For a 60-page ordinary passport, the normal fee has been revised to Rs 3,500 and the Tatkal fee to Rs 6,000.

In cases of lost or damaged passports, the fee for a replacement 36-page passport is now Rs 5,000 under the ordinary route and Rs 7,500 under Tatkal, while the 60-page replacement passport will cost Rs 6,000 normally and Rs 8,500 under Tatkal.

Minors, certificates and validity

The revised schedule also changes charges for minors. For applicants below 18 years of age, the fee for a fresh or reissued 36-page passport has been set at Rs 1,750 under the normal category and Rs 4,250 under Tatkal. A replacement 36-page passport for a minor in case of loss or damage will cost Rs 4,250 normally and Rs 6,750 under Tatkal.

The gazette also keeps fees for special travel documents and miscellaneous services in the revised schedule, including Rs 750 for police clearance certificates, surrender certificates, Global Entry Programme verification and other passport-linked certificates.

The official notification further says validity for passports issued under the adult category will not exceed 10 years, while passports issued to minors will remain valid for five years or until the holder turns 18, whichever comes earlier.

What applicants should know

For students preparing to study abroad, the change is likely to affect early budgeting and application timelines.

The Ministry of External Affairs has advised applicants to apply well in advance, especially those who may otherwise be pushed into the more expensive Tatkal route because of admission deadlines.

The government has kept a 10% discount on fresh passport applications for children up to eight years of age and senior citizens over 60 years, but only for fresh applications and not for reissues.

The revised fee structure also covers services such as Police Clearance Certificate, Surrender Certificate and GEP verification, which can matter for visa processing and overseas admissions.

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FAQs

Q1: When will the revised passport application fees come into effect?

Ans: The revised passport application fees will come into effect from July 1, 2026, as notified by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Q2: How much will a new 36-page passport cost from July 1?

Ans: A fresh or reissued 36-page ordinary passport for adults will cost Rs 2,500 under the normal application process from July 1, 2026.