The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a hike in passport fees, effective from July 1, 2026. Under the new fee structure, a 36-page fresh passport or reissue will now cost Rs 2,500, up from the previous rate.
Amendment to Passports Rules, 1980
The changes have been introduced through an amendment to the Passports Rules, 1980. The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 will come into force from July 1, 2026, as notified by the MEA. The notification was shared by All India Radio News on June 25, 2026.
Details of the new fee structure
According to the MEA notification, the fee for a 36-page passport booklet has been revised to Rs 2,500 for fresh applications and reissues. The previous fee for the same service was lower, though the exact previous amount was not specified in the announcement. The hike applies to both fresh passports and reissues of existing passports.
Impact on applicants
The fee increase is expected to affect millions of passport applicants across India. The change comes as part of routine revisions to passport fees, which are periodically updated by the government. Applicants are advised to check the official MEA website for the complete fee structure for different passport types, including jumbo passports (64 pages) and tatkaal services.
"The revised fees will be applicable for all passport applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026," the MEA notification stated. Applicants are encouraged to plan their applications accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
