Passport Fees In India Just Jumped 60–75% — Here's What You'll Pay In 2026

Indian Passport Application fee depends on the type of Indian passport services that you need. The charges for applying for a fresh passport, reissue passport, Tatkal passport, minor passport or a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) vary, depending on factors such as urgency of issuance, number of pages, validity of the passport and the age of the applicant.

The fee on passports has been standardised under the Passport Seva Programme by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) so that the applicant can check the charges applicable to him before submitting his online application. The fee structure is clearly laid down and is the same across all Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) in the country.

It is important to remember that passport fees are usually non-refundable once the application is made and payment is made successfully. Therefore, it is important to verify the passport category, service type and supporting documents before making the payment.

This article covers the current fee structure for Indian passports, the rationale behind the fees, information on various types of passport services available, how to pay passport fees, and other relevant details for passengers considering applying for a passport.

Why Do Passport Fees Vary?

Passport fees are different for different people because the various passport services require different processing, verification and document handling. A person applying for a 36-page passport will have to pay a different passport fee online as compared to a person applying for a 60-page passport or a Tatkal passport.

Similarly, the cost to issue a passport for a minority versus an adult is different. There are also fees for services like obtaining a lost or damaged passport or a Police Clearance Certificate.

Applicants are advised to know these differences to select the appropriate category for their needs in the online application and not pay the wrong fee.

Passport Fees For Fresh Passport Applications

First-time passport applicants must pay a fee depending on the type of passport booklet they have chosen and based on their age. The Government currently has two types of passports for adults, a passport of 36 pages and a passport of 60 pages, both valid for 10 years.

The fee for minors is dependent on whether the passport is valid and the age of the applicant. Passports issued to children under a specific age may have a shorter validity period, so the passport fee varies from that of adults. The following table shows the fees for new passport applications.

Note: The validity of a minor's passport may vary depending on the applicant's age and the applicable Passport Seva guidelines.

Is The Passport Fee The Same Across India?

A lot of applicants have the incorrect idea that the passport fees will be different in each of the states. But the fee for the passport as prescribed by the MEA is uniform throughout the country.

Whether an applicant submits the application at a Passport Seva Kendra in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Bengaluru, or any other city, the government fee for the same passport service remains unchanged. However, applicants should note that optional services offered by third parties, such as courier assistance or document preparation, may involve additional charges that are not part of the official passport fee.

Key Points to Remember

It is recommended that applicants always check the official Schedule of Passport Office fees for the calculation while filling out the application form. Do not pay through a third party or a web page that provides a government discount.

• The government of India has standardised the cost of the passport application throughout all states and Union Territories.

• No extra government fee is applicable based on the applicant's residence.

• Tatkal charges, where applicable, remain the same throughout the country.

• To ensure secure transactions of the payments, applicants should make payments only through the Passport Seva Portal.

• Make sure you download the receipt for payment after transacting online and keep it for reference.

Tatkal Passport Fees In India

The Tatkal passport fee is specially intended for those applicants who need their passport urgently. Under this Tatkal passport scheme, the documents are verified, and the prescribed eligibility conditions are met in priority order for the passport applications.

Applicants choosing Tatkal service may have to pay the normal passport issuance fee plus the Tatkal facility fee. Tatkal fee doesn't vary based on location and can be paid while applying for the online booking.

Note: The Tatkal fee is charged in addition to the normal passport application fee.

Also Read: Major Amendments in Passport Rules 1980.

Fees For Lost, Stolen, Or Damaged Passports

In the event of a lost, stolen or damaged passport, the applicant will be required to apply for a reissue of a passport and should not apply for a new passport. Additional verification in such cases will increase the fee on the passport application.

Whenever applicable, the applicant should immediately report the loss to the relevant authorities and make supporting documents available when filling out the application.

Miscellaneous Passport Service Charges

Apart from issuance/Re-issue of the Indian Passport, there are various other services under the Passport Seva Programme for which a separate fee has been prescribed. This type of service is aimed at applicants not only looking for official certificates but also for alteration of any data contained in the passport records.

Can Passport Fees Be Refunded?

It is a common query among applicants whether they will get their money back if they opt not to apply for a passport after payment. The Passport Seva instructions state that the passport application fee is generally non-refundable and cannot be refunded whether or not the applicant turns up for the appointment or not.

The passport application fee will include administrative and processing activities done after payment, so prospective candidates are advised to ensure all details are correct before application and payment.

Conclusion

It is important for all details pertaining to the new passport charges to be known before filing an application via the Passport Seva Portal. Starting the application, whether it be for a fresh passport, for passport reissue, Tatkal passport, minor passport, or even a Police Clearance Certificate, is easy when you choose the right service category and pay the right amount of fee.

Always refer to the up-to-date fee schedule provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, because any government fee and service directions can be modified at any time. To prevent any delays in the payment processing, the payment should be made from the official Passport Seva Portal, and the receipt of the receipt and required documents must be kept with the applicant at the time of the appointment.

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