Passport to Become Costlier from July 1; Government Hikes Passport Fees

New Delhi: The Central Government has decided to increase passport application fees with effect from July 1, 2026. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the fee for a standard 36-page passport has been raised from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500, while the fee for a passport under the Tatkal scheme has been increased from ₹3,500 to ₹5,000. This is the first revision in passport fees in nearly 14 years. Recently, the government’s clarification that a passport is not considered proof of citizenship became a topic of public discussion. Now, the decision to increase passport fees has also become a widely discussed issue among the public.