Government Hikes Passport Fees Across Categories Starting July 1

The Bottom Line

•Passport fees are increasing significantly from July 1, 2026, across all categories.
•Applicants should plan for higher costs if applying after the end of this month.

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Revised Passport Fee Structure:

The Ministry of External Affairs has officially announced a significant upward revision in passport application fees, effective from July 1, 2026. Under the new guidelines, the cost for a standard 36-page fresh or reissued passport will increase to ₹2,500, marking a notable rise from the previous rate of ₹1,500.

Tatkaal and 60-Page Adjustments:

The notification also details substantial hikes for premium and high-volume services. Tatkaal passport applications will now cost ₹5,000 for a 36-page document, while the fee for a 60-page ordinary passport has been revised to ₹3,500. Additionally, the Tatkaal service for the 60-page category is set at ₹6,000, replacing the earlier price points of ₹3,500 and ₹4,000 respectively.

Regulatory Background:

This fee adjustment follows an amendment to the Passports Rules, 1980, which the government implemented to streamline the administrative costs of document issuance. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that these changes apply to all applicants, including minors, and represent an update to the established Schedule IV of the existing rules to reflect current operational requirements.

Pulse Intelligence

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Context & Background

The passport fee structure had remained static for several years prior to this comprehensive revision.
The Ministry of External Affairs previously signaled that administrative adjustments would be necessary to manage the rising demand for travel documents.

Key Consequences

Applicants submitting documents after June 30 will be required to pay the revised rates at the Passport Seva Kendras.
Travelers may see a short-term rush in applications prior to the July 1 deadline to avail of the current lower fees.
The overall cost of international travel for Indian citizens is set to marginally increase due to these regulatory changes.

Market & Economic Impact

No direct market impact.