New Delhi, June 26: The Central Government has updated the processing fee schedule for Indian passports and associated consular services to streamline documentation management across all regional offices. The revised pricing matrix, which updates a framework that had been in place for nearly 14 years, will apply universally to all new submittals, renewals, and replacement applications filed on or after July 1.
The adjustment aims to manage the evolving infrastructure requirements of the passport issuance network while maintaining accessible public delivery. “Under the revised fee structure notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, a fresh 36-page passport or its reissue for applicants aged 18 years and above will cost Rs 2,500 under the normal scheme,” the ministry announced, noting that the corresponding Tatkaal rate has been set at ₹5,000.
The policy update addresses the growing demand for higher-capacity travel booklets alongside standard documentation. The ministry affirmed that the standard 60-page booklet under normal processing will now stand at ₹3,500, with the urgent processing tier calibrated to ₹6,000 to cover the specialized logistics involved in quick turnaround delivery.
“The last revision in passport fees was carried out in 2012, when the government increased the fee for a standard 36-page passport from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 and the Tatkaal fee from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.”
The updated rules maintain clear protections for emergency situations and essential verification procedures. While a Certificate of Identity will be regularized at ₹1,000 domestically and USD 50 for overseas applicants, basic Emergency Certificates will continue to be provided without any charge for applicants residing within India to ensure hassle-free repatriation and safety.
The operational guidelines state that the new pricing tier will be embedded into the digital booking portals automatically at the start of the new month. For replacements of misplaced or torn documents, adults will navigate a revised tier starting at ₹5,000 for standard timelines, whereas replacement services for minor applicants have been set at a baseline of ₹4,250.
