If a new passport is on your to-do list, here’s news worth knowing. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revised passport fees through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective July 1, 2026 — the first revision in over 14 years. A standard fresh or re-issue passport (36 pages) now costs ₹2,500 instead of ₹1,500.
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh / Re-issue — 36 pages (Normal) | 1,500 | 2,500 | +1,000 |
| Fresh / Re-issue — 36 pages (Tatkal) | 3,500 | 5,000 | +1,500 |
| Fresh / Re-issue — 60 pages (Normal) | 2,000 | 3,500 | +1,500 |
| Fresh / Re-issue — 60 pages (Tatkal) | 4,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
| Lost / Damaged — 36 pages (Normal) | 3,000 | 5,000 | +2,000 |
| Lost / Damaged — 60 pages (Normal) | 3,500 | 6,000 | +2,500 |
| Minor Passport — 36 pages (Normal) | 1,000 | 1,750 | +750 |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | 500 | 750 | +250 |
| Applying from Abroad — 36 pages (Normal, at Missions) | — | US $125 | — |
| Applying from Abroad — 36 pages (Tatkal, at Missions) | — | US $250 | — |
India raised passport fees for the first time in nearly 14 years — charges had stayed flat since 2012. The Ministry of External Affairs made the change through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, and the reasoning is straightforward: rising administrative costs, new security features in the chip-based e-passport, and the ongoing upgrade of the Passport Seva network (more Seva Kendras, stronger cybersecurity, and faster digital delivery).
For most travellers the practical takeaway is small. A ₹1,000 increase on a document valid for 10 years works out to ₹100 a year — far less than a single visa fee or one night in a mid-range hotel abroad. What matters more now is timing. The new rates are in effect, so the saving isn’t in beating the hike — it’s in avoiding the ₹2,500 Tatkal premium and the processing backlog that builds every peak travel season. If your passport expires within a year, or you’re planning international travel in 2026–27, apply on the normal track now while slots are open rather than paying for Tatkal later.
A valid passport is step one — for most destinations Indian travellers still need a visa before they can fly. The moment your passport is in hand, the clock on your trip planning really starts, because visa processing is what usually decides your travel dates.
If Europe is on your list, the next step is a Schengen visa, and appointment slots are the real bottleneck — not the paperwork. Our team handles document review, appointment booking, and cover-letter drafting so first-time applicants don’t lose weeks to rejections; here’s our full Schengen visa guide for Indian travellers. For other destinations — UAE, Singapore, Thailand, and more — see our visa assistance services for country-wise requirements and timelines.
And once the documents are handled, the fun part begins. Our Europe tour packages from India cover multi-country itineraries with hand-picked 4–5 star stays, or tell us where you’d like to go and we’ll build it around your dates. Planning travel in 2026? WhatsApp us on +91 99597 77776 and we’ll map out passport, visa, and package timelines together.
At IMAD Travel we help with passport applications, renewals, visas and complete tour packages — start to finish. Reach out and we’ll guide you through it.
The revised fees apply to all applications from 1 July 2026 under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. Applications submitted before that date were charged the old rates.
Yes. The revised structure applies to applicants in India and those applying from overseas, across fresh, re-issue, Tatkal, and lost/damaged categories.
Yes — a 10% discount on the normal fee continues for fresh applications (not re-issues) for children up to 8 years and senior citizens above 60.
If your passport expires within a year, renew now. Many countries require at least six months’ validity, and if you’re heading to Europe you’ll want the passport in hand before starting your Schengen visa application.
No. Normal vs Tatkal is what affects speed — Tatkal is for urgent cases at a higher fee. The 2026 revision raised the price of both tiers but didn’t change processing times.
