Passport Fees Hiked Amid Citizenship Doc Row; Rs 2,500 For Normal Applicants, Rs 5,000 For Tatkaal

Passport Fees Hike: The Centre on Thursday announced the hikes in fees for making passports under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a notification, increasing charges for the process of making passports. According to the government, the ordinary 36-page passport for applicants aged 18 years and above will cost Rs 2,500 under the normal category. The Tatkal scheme will cost Rs 5,000.

The revised charge for applying for a passport will be effective from July 1. The 60-page passport, generally preferred by frequent international travellers, is now Rs 3,500 under the normal process and Rs 6,000 under Tatkal.

ALSO READ: Why Aadhaar, PAN Or Voter ID Card Can't Prove Your Indian Citizenship? Explained

The government also hiked the cost of replacing lost or damaged passports. Rs 5,000 will be charged for the replacement of a 36-page passport under the normal category, while Rs 7,500 under Tatkal. A 60-page booklet will cost Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,500, respectively.

Here Is New Charges:

- Rs 5,000 For Tatkal Passport
- Rs 2,500 For 36-Page Passport
- Rs 3,500 For 60-Page Passport
- Rs 6,000 For 36-Page Passport (Tatkal)
- Rs 5,000 For Replacement Of 36-Page Passport
- Rs 7,500 For Replacement Of 36-Page Passport (Tatkal)
- Rs 6,000 For Replacement Of 60-Page Passport
- Rs 8,500 For Replacement Of 60-Page Passport (Tatkal)

'Passport Not Citizenship Proof Row

A controversy erupted after media reports emerged in which it was said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that a passport alone is not conclusive proof of Indian citizenship. On media reports on the MEA clarifying that a passport is a travel document and not a proof of citizenship, the sources said it was not decided yesterday that a passport is not a proof of citizenship.

ALSO READ: Why Passport Isn't Proof Of Citizenship: MEA Clarification Revives Debate, 1967 Law And Bombay HC Verdict Offer Answers

According to the Passport Act 1967, passports can be given to non-citizens too, the sources said. "It was not decided yesterday that the passport is not a proof of citizenship. It was not even decided in the last 12 years. The passport has never been a proof of citizenship," a source said.

(With PTI inputs)