In a move that will impact millions of Indian citizens applying for or renewing their passports, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a substantial increase in passport application fees, effective from July 1, 2026. The revised fee structure applies to fresh applications, reissues, Tatkal services, and various certificates, with increases ranging from 43% to as high as 75%.
Sharp Rise in Standard Passport Fees
Under the new schedule, the fee for a fresh or reissued 36-page passport under the normal category will rise to ₹2,500, marking a steep 67% increase from the current ₹1,500. The Tatkal service for the same 36-page booklet will now cost ₹5,000, up from ₹3,500—a 43% hike. For applicants requiring the 60-page passport booklet, the normal fee has been raised from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500, representing a 75% increase—the highest percentage jump across all categories. The Tatkal fee for the 60-page passport has been increased from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000, reflecting a 50% rise.
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Passports
Citizens seeking replacement passports for lost or damaged booklets will face even higher costs. For a 36-page passport replacement under normal processing, the fee has more than doubled in absolute terms—from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000—a 67% increase. The Tatkal option for this category now stands at ₹7,500, up from ₹5,000. For 60-page replacement passports, the normal fee has been revised from ₹3,500 to ₹6,000 (71% increase), while the Tatkal fee has jumped from ₹5,500 to ₹8,500 (55% increase).
Other Services Affected
The fee hike extends beyond passport booklets. The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), essential for international travel and employment purposes, has seen its fee increase from ₹500 to ₹750—a 50% rise. Similarly, Surrender Certificates, GEP Verification, and Miscellaneous Certificates have all been revised upward from ₹500 to ₹750.
The updated fee breakdown includes the following key revisions:
- 36-Page Booklet (Adult): Normal rises to ₹2,500 (from ₹1,500); Tatkaal is ₹5,000 (from ₹3,500).
- 60-Page Booklet (Frequent Travelers): Normal rises to ₹3,500 (from ₹2,000); Tatkaal is ₹6,000 (from ₹3,500).
- Minors (Under 18): 36-page passport rises to ₹1,750; Minor Tatkaal fee has been fixed at ₹4,250.
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): The PCC fee is set at ₹750 (some official fee disclosures cite ₹500 in specific non-fresh contexts).
- Lost or Damaged Booklets: Charges have been steeply revised up to ₹5,000 for a regular replacement and ₹7,500 for a Tatkaal replacement.
With over 17 years of experience in the B2B travel and hospitality sector, she brings deep insight into travel trade dynamics, industry challenges and market developments. She holds an MA in English Literature and a Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, which underpin her strong editorial expertise. An avid nature enthusiast, she prefers outdoor and adventure-led travel, including hiking and trekking.