Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead | Updated On - Jul 2, 2026
The Ministry of External Affairs has raised passport fees across every category from July 1, 2026. The hike hits Indian students applying or renewing passports for admission and visa filing abroad. The new rates were notified on June 20, 2026 under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. They mark the first major fee revision since 2012.
- A fresh 36-page passport now costs Rs 2,500 under the normal route, up from Rs 1,500.
- The Tatkaal fee for the same booklet jumps to Rs 5,000, against Rs 3,500 earlier.
- The change applies to every application submitted on or after July 1, per the MEA notification.
A passport is the first document every study abroad applicant needs. Foreign universities ask for it at the application stage. Visa filing for the USA, UK, Canada and Australia is impossible without one.
Also Read: Study Abroad After Class 12 — Complete 2026 Guide for Indian Students
New Passport Fees from July 1, 2026
The revised schedule replaces Schedule IV to the Passports Rules, 1980. It was issued under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967. The fee depends on the date your application is submitted and paid.
| Passport Service | Old Fee (Rs) | New Fee (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh or reissue, 36-page (Normal) | 1,500 | 2,500 |
| Fresh or reissue, 36-page (Tatkaal) | 3,500 | 5,000 |
| Fresh or reissue, 60-page (Normal) | 2,000 | 3,500 |
| Fresh or reissue, 60-page (Tatkaal) | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| Minor under 18, 36-page (Normal) | 1,000 | 1,750 |
| Minor under 18, 36-page (Tatkaal) | 3,000 | 4,250 |
The Tatkaal figure is inclusive of the normal fee, not an add-on. A separate Passport Seva Kendra appointment charge may still apply.
Key Insight: The 36-page normal fee rises 67 percent. The 60-page normal fee rises 75 percent. This is the steepest passport fee jump in over a decade.
Why the Passport Fee Hike Matters for Study Abroad Applicants
Most students applying abroad need a 36-page or 60-page passport. Frequent travellers and those expecting many visa stamps prefer the 60-page booklet. The 60-page normal fee now stands at Rs 3,500.
Students racing visa deadlines often use Tatkaal for faster issue. That route now costs Rs 5,000 for a 36-page passport. The Tatkaal premium remains the fastest legal way to get a passport in days.
What it means for Indian Students: Over 13 lakh Indian students study abroad each year, per MEA data. A passport is step one for all of them. The extra Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 is a small share of total study abroad costs, but timing your application before July 1 still saves money.
Replacement and Service Fees Also Rise
Students who lose or damage a passport abroad face a sharp jump. A replacement 36-page passport now costs Rs 5,000 under the normal route. The Tatkaal replacement fee is Rs 7,500.
Service fees abroad are charged in US dollars at Indian missions. The Police Clearance Certificate fee is fixed at Rs 750 in India and USD 40 abroad. At today's rate of about Rs 94.5 per dollar, that USD 40 equals nearly Rs 3,780.
| Service | Fee in India | Fee Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Rs 750 | USD 40 |
| Certificate of Identity | Rs 1,000 | USD 50 |
| Emergency Certificate | Free | USD 15 |
Also Check: Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Indian Students Going Abroad
How Do Indian Students Lock In the Lower Fee?
The fee charged depends on the submission and payment date. Applying and paying before July 1 secures the old rate. Anyone with a passport due for renewal should act fast.
Applications are booked through the Passport Seva portal in India. Students abroad apply at their nearest Indian mission. A 10 percent discount on the normal fee applies to fresh applications for senior citizens over 60 and children up to age 8. It does not apply to reissues.
Action Required: Check your passport expiry now. Many countries need at least six months of validity beyond your stay. If yours is close to expiry, renew before the new fees take effect.
Action Plan for Fall 2026 and 2027 Applicants
- Check your current passport expiry date today.
- If it expires within a year, apply for reissue before July 1, 2026 to save on fees.
- Book your appointment on the Passport Seva portal early to secure a slot.
- Choose 60 pages if you expect frequent travel and many visa stamps.
- Keep proof of address, date of birth and your current passport ready for verification.
The new fees are now confirmed and effective from July 1, 2026. A standard fresh passport costs Rs 2,500, and the Tatkaal route costs Rs 5,000. The rate you pay is locked by your submission date, so early filers paying before July 1 still hold the old price.
Next Key Date for Study Abroad Applicants: From July 1, 2026, every passport application pays the revised fee. File and pay before that date to keep the lower rate.
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