How to Apply for a Passport in India Under the Revised 2026 Fee Structure

Kaustav Chowdhury
Jul 24
4 min read

On 25 June 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, raising passport fees across every category for the first time since 2012. The revised fee structure took effect on 1 July 2026. A standard 36-page adult booklet now costs Rs 2,500, up from Rs 1,500, and a 60-page booklet costs Rs 3,500, up from Rs 2,000. Tatkaal fees have risen to Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 respectively. This guide walks through every step of the application process under the new fee regime, so applicants can plan their budget, gather documents, and avoid common delays.

Step 1: Determine the Type of Passport and Applicable Fee

Before beginning the application, decide whether you need a fresh passport or a reissue (renewal). The fee depends on the booklet size, processing speed, and applicant age.

Normal processing fees (effective 1 July 2026):

36-page booklet (adults 18 and above): Rs 2,500
60-page booklet (adults 18 and above): Rs 3,500
Minor applicants (below 18): Rs 1,750 for a 36-page booklet

Tatkaal (expedited) processing fees:

36-page booklet: Rs 5,000
60-page booklet: Rs 6,000

A 10 per cent discount applies to fresh passport applications filed by children up to 8 years of age and senior citizens above 60 years. This discount does not extend to reissue or renewal applications. Police Clearance Certificates and other passport-linked certificates now cost Rs 750 each, up from Rs 500.

Step 2: Register on the Passport Seva Portal

Visit the official Passport Seva website at passportindia.gov.in. New users must register by clicking the 'New User Registration' link. Provide your login credentials, email address, and a hint question for password recovery. After registration, log in with your newly created username and password.

Step 3: Fill the Online Application Form

After logging in, select 'Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport.' Fill in the application form with personal details including full name, date of birth, address, family details, and emergency contact. Applicants for a minor's passport must additionally provide parental consent documentation. Save the form before proceeding.

Step 4: Upload Documents

The portal accepts scanned copies of supporting documents. Standard documents include proof of identity (Aadhaar card, voter ID, or PAN card), proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or Aadhaar), and proof of date of birth (birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or Aadhaar). Government employees applying for a passport must also arrange a Police NOC or Identity Certificate from their employer. All uploads must be in the prescribed format and file size limits specified on the portal.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee and Schedule an Appointment

Navigate to 'View Saved/Submitted Applications,' then select 'Pay and Schedule Appointment.' An additional Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) facility fee of Rs 500 is charged on top of the passport fee for every application, including Tatkaal services. Payment is processed through the State Bank of India's Multi Option Payment System (MOPS), which accepts net banking and card payments. After successful payment, select your preferred PSK or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), choose a date and time slot, and confirm the booking. Print the appointment confirmation letter.

Step 6: Visit the Passport Seva Kendra

Arrive at the PSK on the scheduled date with the original documents, self-attested photocopies, and the printed appointment confirmation. The visit involves three counters: document verification (Counter A), biometric data capture including photograph and fingerprints (Counter B), and a final verification by the granting officer (Counter C). Tatkaal applicants undergo an additional verification step. The entire PSK visit typically takes two to four hours.

Step 7: Police Verification

For most fresh passport applications, police verification is conducted after the PSK visit. The local police station will schedule a visit to the address provided in the application. For Tatkaal applications, police verification may be completed before or after passport issuance depending on the urgency. Track the police verification status on the Passport Seva portal under 'Track Application Status.' Applicants who have recently moved or are registering a new business at a different address should ensure that address proof matches the application details.

Step 8: Receive the Passport

Normal passports are dispatched within 30 working days of the PSK visit, subject to successful police verification. Tatkaal passports are typically processed within one to three working days after the PSK appointment. The passport is delivered to the address on the application via Speed Post. Track the delivery using the file number on the Passport Seva portal.

Common Reasons for Delays and How to Avoid Them

Mismatch between documents: Ensure the name, date of birth, and address are identical across all submitted documents.
Incomplete police verification: Be available at the address provided. If no one is present during the police visit, verification is marked as incomplete.
Pending ECR/non-ECR classification: Applicants with a Class 10 pass certificate receive non-ECR status. Others must apply under ECR and should keep educational certificates ready.
Wrong PSK selection: Choose a PSK within the jurisdiction of your present address for faster processing.

Fee Comparison: Before and After 1 July 2026

The table below summarises the changes introduced by the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The 36-page adult passport increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. The 60-page adult passport went from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500. Tatkaal 36-page rose from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000, and Tatkaal 60-page from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000. The Police Clearance Certificate fee rose from Rs 500 to Rs 750. The PSK facility fee remains at Rs 500. These rates represent the first revision in 14 years, the previous fee schedule having been set in 2012.

Key Takeaways

The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 raised passport fees effective 1 July 2026 for the first time since 2012.
A 36-page adult passport now costs Rs 2,500 under normal processing and Rs 5,000 under Tatkaal.
Children under 8 and seniors above 60 get a 10 per cent discount on fresh applications only.
An additional PSK facility fee of Rs 500 applies to every application.
Apply through passportindia.gov.in, pay via MOPS, visit the PSK, complete police verification, and receive the passport within 30 working days.

Planning ahead and assembling all required documents before starting the online application can save significant time and prevent appointment rescheduling. Applicants should budget for both the passport fee and the Rs 500 PSK facility charge when calculating total costs.