Passport Fees Hiked From 1 July: 36-Page Booklet Rises From Rs 1500 To Rs 2500, Tatkal To Rs 5000

New Delhi: Travelling abroad from India will become more expensive from next year after the Centre announced a sweeping revision of passport and travel document fees effective from July 1. According to a new government notification, under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the cost of a fresh or reissued 36-page ordinary passport for applicants aged 18 and above will go up to Rs 2500 from the existing Rs 1500. 

As per the government, the fee hike will be implemented from July 1 after several years of unchanged charges. The MEA stated that the updated schedule applies to fresh passports, Tatkal applications and a range of other services. A notification issued on Thursday laid out the revised structure, which increases costs across categories, including for minors and for replacing lost or damaged booklets. The officials confirmed that the adjustment reflects current administrative costs while keeping services accessible.

The Foreign Ministry also used the announcement to restate the legal status of the passport for Indians. Speaking during Passport Seva Divas celebrations, the MEA reiterated that a passport is primarily a “travel document" and should not be treated as standalone proof of Indian citizenship. The officials clarified that, though it is issued only after extensive verification and due diligence, its purpose is to facilitate international travel and attest the holder’s nationality abroad rather than act as a citizenship certificate.

Revised Charges For Adult Passports And Tatkal

The government has fixed the fee for applicants aged 18 and above opting for a standard 36-page passport at Rs 2500, while the Tatkal fee, inclusive of the normal charge, has been set at Rs 5000. Those who travel frequently and prefer a 60-page booklet will now pay Rs 3500 under the normal process, up from Rs 2000, while the Tatkal option for the larger booklet will cost Rs 6000. The increase affects anyone applying for a new passport or seeking a reissue from next July.

Higher Fees For Lost, Damaged Passports And Minors

According to the new notification, replacing a lost or damaged passport will also cost more. A replacement 36-page booklet is priced at Rs 5000 under the normal category and Rs 7500 under Tatkal. The applicants will pay Rs 6000 normally and Rs 8500 through Tatkal for a 60-page replacement.

The fee for a fresh 36-page passport has been raised from Rs 10000 to Rs 1750 for applicants below 18 years of age. The Tatkal charge for minors is set at Rs 4250, while in case of a lost or damaged minor's passport, the replacement fee will be Rs 4250 under the normal process and Rs 6750 under Tatkal.

Other Services And Emergency Documents Revised

The notification also revised charges for other passport-related services, which include an Emergency Certificate issued abroad, and will now cost USD 15. A Certificate of Identity has been priced at Rs 1000 in India and USD 50 abroad. The fee for obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate, Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Programme verification, and other miscellaneous passport-related certificates has been fixed at Rs 750 in India and USD 40 abroad. The MEA stated that the revised fee schedule will come into effect from July 1.