Are you planning to apply for a passport for an international trip? If so, then you must understand the applicable fee structure for a new, renewed or Tatkaal passport. It is necessary to know the fee structure for the Indian passport before you plan any trips outside of India. The fee structure for an Indian passport changes yearly. Hence, it is necessary to keep track of the current passport fee structure.
Read the blog below to learn more about the passport price in India and the steps to pay your Indian Passport Application Fees.
What is a Passport Fee?
A passport fee is the amount charged by the Indian Government to process your passport application. It includes services such as document verification, printing and passport delivery.
The amount for a Indian passport application will vary based on the type of application, the applicant's age, the number of pages in the passport booklet and whether the application is processed under the regular or Tatkaal scheme.
What are the types of Passport Fees?
There are different types and factors related to the issuance of a passport and its fees. These are given below.
Type of Application
You can calculate fees for the following services. This includes applying for a new passport or reissuing an existing one.
- Passport
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Identity Certificate
- Surrender Certificate
Age of the Applicant
The passport fees also depend on the applicant's age. Every age group has different fees for both issuance and renewal. The categories for them are listed below.
- Below 15 years
- 15 to 18 years
- Above 18 years
Type of Services
In terms of passport applications, there are 2 types of services.
- Fresh Issue
It is for applicants who are applying for a passport for the first time.
- Reissue
It is for those applicants who want to renew or replace an existing passport.
Types of Schemes
There are two processing schemes that have their own fee structure and processing times.
- Normal
It is the standard application process. The applicant follows the general procedures and processing time. The application fees are also lower.
- Tatkaal
If you require your passport quickly for emergencies, you can use the Tatkaal scheme to expedite the application process. However, the fees are generally higher in this scheme.
How to calculate your Passport Fee?
You can use the Passport Fee Calculator on the official Passport Seva website. This will help you know the exact fees based on the type of your application. You can calculate the fees for services such as police clearance, identity and surrender certificate.
The fees will also vary depending on the applicant's age. You can simply enter your details in the calculator to know how much you have to pay.
What is the passport fee structure in India?
The table below outlines the fee structure for a passport application in India.
Passport Type Number of pages Application Fee (in Rs) Tatkaal Fee (in Rs) Validity
Fresh Passport
(adult-normal)
36 Rs. 2,500/- 5000 10 years
Fresh Passport
(adult-tatkaal)
60 Rs. 3500/- 6000 10 years Fresh Passport (minor-below 15) 36 Rs. 1750/- 4250 5 years
Fresh Passport
(minor-15 to 18)
36 Rs. 1750/- 4250 10 years
Fresh Passport
(adult-tatkaal)
60 Rs. 4000 2000 10 years Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) N/A Rs. 500 N/A Based on Request
How to pay Passport Fees in India?
You can pay your passport fees in both online and offline manner. To do so, follow the steps below.
Online Method
- Access the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Complete the registration process.
- Afterwards, log in to the website using your credentials.
- Choose the relevant service, such as a fresh passport, reissuance or passport renewal.
- Pay the applicable fees using your preferred payment mode.
- After the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation message from the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Book an appointment at your nearest RPO or Passport Seva Kendra. Go to the location to submit the necessary details.
Offline Method
- Download the appropriate passport application form based on your requirements. You can get this online or from an RPO.
- Fill in the form with the required details. Choose your preferred payment mode.
- Pay the applicable fee and make sure you receive a payment receipt.
- Schedule an appointment at a PSK or RPO to verify your documents.
- Visit the RPO or PSK on the scheduled date. Submit the necessary documents to the relevant authorities for further processing.
How to check the status of your Passport Payment Fees?
Follow the steps below to track your passport fee payment status.
- Access the Passport Seva portal. Log in using your credentials.
- Navigate to the "Payment and Appointment" section.
- Enter your application reference number and transaction ID.
- Your current passport payment fee status will be displayed on the screen.
- If the payment status shows as pending or failed, you can contact the necessary bank officials to resolve the issue.
What are the mistakes to avoid while paying for passport fees?
It is important to avoid any mistakes while paying the passport fees to ensure a smooth payment process. These include:
- Make sure you verify your bank details and always use valid payment methods that are accepted by the Passport Seva portal.
- To prevent any unnecessary issues or data breaches, you must not use any public or unsecured internet connections for payments.
- You must keep in mind to save and print the payment receipt immediately after the transaction for future reference.
- Since the fees are revised periodically, you must stay updated on the latest passport fee structure.
- You can pay the fees in both online and offline modes. If one of them does not work, you can always go for the other option.
- There are additional charges separate from the main application fee, such as PSK service fees and police verification fees. Be aware of such additional fees.
Important things to know before paying the Passport Fees
It is necessary to keep the following points in mind before paying for the passport application process.
- You can easily pay the fees for your Passport Application using a credit or debit card or by using an SBI challan. You can do this even if you do not have an SBI bank account.
- Keep in mind that the passport fee is non-refundable. You will not get a refund if your appointment is not scheduled after you have paid the fees.
- In case of multiple payments made for the duplicate passport fee, the Regional Passport Officer (RPO) will refund the excess amount.
- You must bring the online application receipt and the passport application along with your Application Reference Number (ARN) to the Passport Seva Kendra.
- If you are paying the application fees online, make sure you select "Print Application Receipt" to get the ARN and receipt.
- There are no additional bank fees for challan payments.
- After you have paid the passport fee, you cannot transfer it to another application reference number.
- Keep in mind that the applications for online payments must be submitted within a year of the first appointment date.
- If you fail to do this, the fees will be forfeited, and a new payment will be required.
- Remember that passport appointments can only be rescheduled twice in a year from the original appointment date.
- Make sure you bring the original copies of the necessary documents to your passport appointment.
Conclusion
Understanding the passport application fees in India is necessary before applying for a passport. The cost varies depending on factors such as the applicant's age, passport type, booklet pages, and whether you choose the normal or Tatkaal Passport. Choosing the right category and selecting the correct fee structure can help you avoid any delays and ensure you have a smooth application process.