Planning to apply for a fresh Indian passport or get an existing passport reissued? Applicants should check the latest rules before completing their application, as the passport system has seen important changes in 2026, including revised fees.
The official Passport Seva portal of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) states that passport application fees were revised with effect from July 1, 2026. Applicants are specifically advised to check the revised charges before making a payment.
Apart from fees, parents applying for passports for children should pay close attention to the validity rules applicable to minors. Passport validity can depend on the applicant's age and the type of passport requested.
Here is what applicants should know before submitting a passport application in 2026.
Passport Fees Revised From July 1, 2026
One of the key developments for passport applicants is the revision of fees.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs' Passport Seva portal, the revised application fees became effective on July 1, 2026.
The change is relevant to people applying for fresh passports as well as those seeking passport reissue and other passport-related services.
Since the payable amount can depend on the type of application, number of pages, applicant's age and whether the service is sought under the Normal or Tatkaal scheme, applicants should check the current fee displayed on the official portal before completing payment.
How Long Is a Minor's Passport Valid?
Passport validity for children differs from the standard validity generally available to adults.
Current Passport Seva guidance states that passports issued to minors below 18 years can have a validity of five years or until the minor reaches 18 years of age, whichever comes earlier.
This means parents should not automatically assume that every passport issued to a child will remain valid for a full five-year period.
For example, a passport issued to a very young child can generally remain valid for five years, subject to the applicable rules.
If a child is already approaching the age of 18, however, the passport may have a shorter validity because it cannot extend beyond the applicable age limit under this category.
Special Option for Applicants Aged 15 to 18
There is an additional provision that parents and teenage applicants should know about.
Passport Seva guidance says that applicants between 15 and 18 years of age have an option to apply for a passport with 10-year validity, subject to the applicable conditions.
This is different from the regular minor passport arrangement, under which validity is limited to five years or until the applicant reaches 18, whichever occurs earlier.
Applicants in this age group should therefore check which option is appropriate for them before submitting the application.
Tatkaal Applications Carry Additional Charges
Applicants who need a passport urgently may consider the Tatkaal scheme, provided they are eligible.
Tatkaal is not simply another type of passport booklet. It is an expedited processing route with additional requirements and charges.
Passport Seva advises applicants to check the eligibility criteria for the Tatkaal scheme before applying. Applicants may also need to submit additional supporting documents and an undertaking as prescribed by the authorities.
The final amount payable under Tatkaal can therefore be higher than the corresponding Normal application fee.
Applicants should use the latest fee calculator or fee information available on the Passport Seva portal rather than relying on old screenshots or fee charts circulating online.
Lost or Damaged Passport? Different Charges May Apply
A passport holder who loses a passport or has a booklet that becomes damaged cannot simply use the standard renewal process without checking the relevant category.
Replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged passport is treated as a specific passport service, and the applicable charges can differ from those for an ordinary fresh passport or routine reissue.
The number of pages requested and whether the applicant chooses Normal or eligible Tatkaal processing can also affect the payable amount.
Anyone dealing with a lost or damaged passport should therefore select the correct service while completing the application.
Police Verification Rules Can Also Differ
Police verification is another important part of the passport process.
According to Passport Seva, the Passport Office decides whether pre-passport, post-passport or no police verification applies depending on the type and circumstances of an application.
In most fresh passport cases, pre-police verification may be required, although exceptions exist.
For minors, Passport Seva states that police verification is generally not required in certain cases where the prescribed conditions relating to the parents' valid passports and consent are satisfied. However, the final decision regarding police verification remains with the Passport Office.
Applicants between 15 and 18 who opt for a 10-year-validity passport may be subject to pre-police verification.
Be Careful of Fake Passport Websites
Applicants should also be cautious while applying online.
The Ministry of External Affairs has warned citizens about fraudulent websites and mobile applications that imitate official passport services, collect applicants' personal information or demand excessive charges.
The government advises citizens to use the official Passport Seva website for passport-related applications and payments.
Applicants can also use the official Passport Seva mobile application where appropriate.
What Should You Check Before Applying?
Before submitting a fresh passport or reissue application, carefully verify your personal information, date of birth, address and other details. Applicants should also ensure that the documents being submitted match the information entered in the online form.
The correct service category is equally important. A fresh passport, routine reissue, replacement of a lost passport, change in personal particulars and Tatkaal application may have different documentation and fee requirements.
Parents applying for a child's passport should pay particular attention to the child's age, applicable validity period, parental consent requirements and police-verification conditions.
Check Current Rules Instead of Relying on Old Fee Charts
With passport fees revised from July 1, 2026, applicants should avoid relying on older articles, social media posts or saved fee tables.
The amount payable can vary according to the service selected, and passport procedures can also be updated.
Before making a payment or booking an appointment, applicants should check the latest information directly on the Passport Seva portal operated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Doing so can help avoid incorrect payments, document-related problems and confusion over validity or Tatkaal requirements during the passport application process.
