Indian citizens applying for new passports or other related services should be aware of significant fee revisions taking effect from July 1. The central government has introduced a new fee schedule, offering a special 10% concession for children and senior citizens, while updating charges for several other passport-related procedures.
These changes, notified under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967, replace the previous Schedule IV under the Passports Rules, 1980. Whether you're a first-time applicant or seeking specific certificates, understanding these updates before booking an appointment could save you money.
Who Qualifies for the 10% Concession?
The newly introduced 10% fee discount is specifically targeted at two demographic groups:
- Children: Applicants up to 8 years of age.
- Senior Citizens: Individuals aged 60 years and above.
It is crucial to note that this concession applies exclusively to fresh passport applications submitted within India. The discount does not extend to passport renewals, reissues, or Tatkal (expedited) reissues.
Revised Passport Application Fees (Effective July 1)
The fee structure for normal and Tatkal applications has been updated as follows:
Normal Passport Applications
- 36-page passport: ₹2,500
- 60-page passport: ₹3,500
Tatkal (Expedited) Passport Applications
- 36-page passport: ₹5,000
- 60-page passport: ₹6,000
Fees for Lost or Damaged Passports
If your passport is lost or damaged, the revised charges for a replacement are:
Normal Processing
- 36-page passport: ₹5,000
- 60-page passport: ₹6,000
Tatkal Processing
- 36-page passport: ₹7,500
- 60-page passport: ₹8,500
Charges for Minor Applicants
For minor applicants (under 18), the fees for fresh issuance or reissue of a 36-page passport are:
- Fresh/Reissue (36-page, Normal): ₹1,750
- Fresh/Reissue (36-page, Tatkal): ₹4,250
- Lost/Damaged Passport (Normal): ₹4,250
- Lost/Damaged Passport (Tatkal): ₹6,750
Other Passport-Related Service Fees
Several miscellaneous passport services also see updated costs:
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Programme verification, and other miscellaneous certificates: ₹750 (within India; Tatkal not available)
- Certificate of Identity: ₹1,000
- Emergency Certificate: $15 (approximately ₹1420.01, issued abroad)
Passport Validity Remains Unchanged
It's important to note that despite the fee revisions, the validity periods for passports remain the same. Adult passports will continue to be valid for 10 years, while passports issued to minors will be valid for 5 years or until they turn 18, whichever comes earlier.