INDIA
Renew your passport before it becomes urgent.
Last verified:
Most student visas need 6+ months of passport validity. Renewing early is free peace of mind; renewing late is Tatkaal fees and panic. Here's the process, the documents, and what it actually costs — from Passport Seva's own publications.
Fees — revised July 1, 2026
The government revised passport fees upward in July 2026. The figures below are press-reported citing the official notification — confirm on the Passport Seva fee calculator before you pay, because old blog posts everywhere still show the pre-2026 rates.
- Adult reissue, 36 pages: $26 normal · $52 Tatkaal (was $16/ $36)
- Adult reissue, 60 pages: $36 normal · $63 Tatkaal (was $21/ $42)
- Lost/damaged replacement, 36 pages: $52 normal · $78 Tatkaal
- Lost/damaged replacement, 60 pages: $63 normal · $89 Tatkaal
- Minor (under 18), 36 pages: $18 normal · $44 Tatkaal
Also reported in the revision: police-clearance/surrender certificates around $8; a 10% discount on fresh applications for children 8 & under and seniors 60+ (not on reissue). Validity is unchanged: 10 years for adults, 5 years (or till 18) for minors.
When Tatkaal is worth it
Tatkaal costs roughly double and promises up to 3 working days — but it's subject to eligibility, and not every case qualifies. If your passport expires within a year and you have any travel or visa plans, apply on the normal scheme now instead of paying double later.
How long it takes (government's own commitments)
From the Passport Seva Citizen's Charter — the timelines the government commits to in writing:
- Reissue, no police verification needed: up to 7 working days
- Reissue, police verification required: up to 30 working days (excluding the verification period itself)
- Tatkaal: up to 3 working days, subject to eligibility
Police verification — which bucket are you in?
- No verification: reissue applied before expiry, or within 3 years after expiry, with a clear prior verification and nothing adverse on record.
- Post-verification (passport issued first, check after): reissue within 3 years after expiry where the verification record is blank/incomplete; a minor's passport reissued after turning 18; lost/fully damaged passports where details match the system.
- Pre-verification (check first, passport after): everything else — the passport is issued only after a clear report.
Practical tip: keep your present address proof clean and current. Most verification delays are address mismatches, not criminal records.
Documents for an adult reissue
- Old passport + self-attested copies of the first and last pages.
- Date-of-birth proof: birth certificate or Class 10th passing certificate.
- Photo ID: latest complete e-Aadhaar with scannable QR code — the official checklist calls this mandatory in all cases.
- Present address proof (if your address changed): Aadhaar, utility bill, bank statement, rent agreement, etc.
- Non-ECR proof: Class 10th/12th/degree certificate or equivalent.
- Appointment receipt (printout; SMS is also accepted).
DigiLocker documents can be fetched at the Passport Seva Kendra before token generation — but carry originals anyway. Originals settle every argument.
How to apply — in India, 4 steps
Fill the form
Select "Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport", fill it online, and submit.
Pay & book
"Pay and Schedule Appointment" — online payment is mandatory for Kendra appointments. Pick your date and time.
Visit the Kendra
Go to the Passport Seva Kendra with original documents and your receipt. National helpline: 1800-258-1800.
Portal acting up?
The Passport Seva portal has had outages (it failed to load entirely when we checked in September 2026). If the site won't open, don't pay an agent to "get you a slot" — call 1800-258-1800 or try again later. Nobody can get you a slot the portal itself can't give.
Renewing from abroad (NRI route)
- Indian missions abroad handle reissue when your passport has under 1 year of validity left or pages are exhausted.
- Start at your local Indian Embassy/Consulate's website — not a generic agent. The mission's site names its exact process, fees (which differ by country), and timelines.
- Many missions outsource in-person intake to VFS Global — but arrangements vary by country. The rule is embassy/consulate first; VFS only where that mission has appointed one. Don't assume, and don't pay anyone who claims otherwise.
- Plan ahead: a renewal abroad plus shipping can take weeks. If you're visiting India anyway, renewing at a Kendra is usually faster and cheaper.
Verify before you decide
Fee figures above are press-reported from the July 2026 revision — confirm on the Passport Seva fee calculator. Timelines are from the government's Citizen's Charter. Rules change; the portal and your mission's website are the final word. This page is guidance, not legal advice.