New Passport Costs Kick In: Centre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1

Starting next month, securing a travel document will get dearer as the government rolls out revised charges for fresh applications and urgent services.

If you have been planning a trip abroad, it is time to check your travel budget again. Under the updated Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, the Centre hikes passport fees effective from July 1, marking a notable shift in the cost of international documentation. Whether you are applying for a standard 36-page booklet or need the urgency of the Tatkal scheme, the financial layout for obtaining a fresh passport has been recalibrated across the board.

The New Fee Structure

For most applicants, the standard 36-page passport will now cost Rs 2,500. Those opting for the 60-page version will see the price rise to Rs 3,500. The most significant jump, however, is reserved for the Tatkal service, which is now pegged at Rs 5,000. These revised charges apply not just to fresh applications, but also to renewals, replacements for lost or damaged booklets, and essential paperwork like Police Clearance Certificates and Surrender Certificates, which will now cost Rs 750.

While the costs are shifting, the fundamental rules regarding validity remain unchanged. Adult passports continue to offer a 10-year validity period, while minors will see their documents remain valid for five years or until they hit the 18-year mark. Applicants should ensure their documentation is in order before these rates become the new baseline next month.

Why it matters

This price revision arrives at a time when the administrative machinery is tightening its belt on documentation and compliance. Over the past several months, we have seen a pattern of "compliance resets"—from stricter income tax reporting to updated foreigner registration rules. The government appears to be moving toward a model where the administrative cost of processing high-volume documentation is increasingly borne by the end-user.

For the average citizen, this is a direct uptick in the cost of global mobility. While the increment might seem modest for those traveling once a decade, it adds a layer of friction to the passport application process for students, tech workers, and business travelers who rely on these documents for their livelihoods. As the Ministry tightens these protocols, the focus remains on streamlining the system, even if the price of entry into that system is rising.