Quick Answer: You apply for a new passport online through the Passport Seva portal - register, fill the fresh-passport form, pay the fee, then book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra. A fresh 36-page passport costs ₹2,500 under normal processing from 1 July 2026, and every new passport issued today is a chip-based e-passport.
If you are going to apply for a new passport, then you will require the new application for passport itself. The process begins in the online manner at the Passport Seva, website of the MEA and ends up with your visit to the PSK or the POPSK, where your photograph is taken, fingerprints are collected and documents are verified. If you are fully prepared and have all of the necessary documents, then you can accomplish all online steps within a quarter of an hour.
Overview: New Passport at a Glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Document | Fresh Indian passport (chip-based e-passport) |
| Issuing authority | Passport Seva, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) |
| Who can apply | Any Indian citizen without an existing passport |
| Fee (adult, 36 pages) | ₹2,500 normal / ₹5,000 tatkal |
| Mode | Online application + one in-person PSK/POPSK visit |
| Processing time | About 30 to 45 days (normal); 1 to 3 working days (tatkal) |
What Is a Fresh Passport Application?
The term new passport application refers to the process of the first-time application done by an Indian citizen who is applying for a passport for the first time, which is different from the process of applying for the re-issue of a passport in case of an expired passport, used-up passport or loss of a passport. Referring to 2025, all receipts of passport issued would be e-passports, which are passports with an RFID chip in the passport containing the fingerprints and photographs.
Latest Update: New Fees and E-Passport (2026)
The modifications to the Passports (Amendment) Rules of 2026 lead to the alterations in the passport fees starting from 1 July 2026. The new fees structure shows an increased fee for 36-page adult passport which rises from ₹1,500 at present to ₹2,500 in the new structure. The price of a 60-page passport will also increase significantly reaching ₹3,500. Age-related concessions amounting to 10% will continue to apply to applicants aged below 8 and applicants aged above 60. All the passports issued with the new fees structure will be e-passports with chips in them.
What Documents Do I Need for a New Passport?
To apply for a new passport, you are required to provide identification proof, proof of your present address, and proof of your date of birth. If you hold an Aadhaar card that is linked to your personal details, you do not need to provide separate proof for these. Thus, the process is much quicker than it would otherwise be. Make sure that you carry the original documents as well as a photocopy of each one.
| Purpose | Acceptable documents (any one) |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, driving licence |
| Proof of present address | Aadhaar, electricity/water/landline bill, bank passbook, rent agreement |
| Proof of date of birth | Birth certificate, Aadhaar, PAN, school leaving certificate |
How Do I Apply for a New Passport Online, Step by Step?
For the application process, you have to first register on the Passport Seva website, complete the application form for a new passport, submit your online payment, and then book the appointment time online. The full procedure for applying for a new passport is as follows.
- Register on the official Passport Seva online portal with your name, email and a login ID, then verify the link sent to your email.
- Sign in and click "Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport."
- Fill the form - personal details, family details, present address and emergency contact - and choose 36 or 60 pages.
- Select "Fresh" as the application type and pick normal or tatkal scheme.
- Click "Pay and Schedule Appointment," pay the fee online (net banking, card or UPI), and pick a PSK or POPSK near you.
- Save and print the Application Receipt carrying your Application Reference Number (ARN).
- Visit the PSK on your date with all originals; your photo and fingerprints are captured there.
What Are the Passport Fees in 2026?
Passport fees vary by required number of pages and whether one is choosing normal or tatkal process. The tariffs applies from 1 July 2026, at PSKs around India. Make sure you check Passport Seva fee calculator for the amount applicable in your case before you pay.
| Passport type | Normal | Tatkal |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, 36 pages (adult) | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Fresh, 60 pages (adult) | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Minor (under 18), 36 pages | ₹1,750 | ₹4,250 |
How Long Does a New Passport Take?
Typically, it is anticipated that a passport will arrive via normal procedures in 30 to 45 days, as the police verification occurs before printing the passport. However, under tatkal, one can expect the passport within 1 to 3 days after the appointment, with the police verification taking place thereafter. The arrival of the passport may be delayed due to the need for further verifications of the applicant's documents.
Do I Need Police Verification?
Police verification for new passports is essential in most situations, but the process can vary significantly. In most cases of passport processing, police will regularly go to the given residence prior to issuance of the passport. In urgent passport processing, Aadhaar-linked applications, the passport is sometimes issued first and police verification is conducted later. Verification occurs through a police officer or through the mPassport Police Application.
Where Do I Apply, and How Can Jaagruk Bharat Help?
The Ministry of External Affairs' Passport Seva portal offers the nationally authorized platform to apply. No private organization has the authority to give a passport, so do not share your password with third-party companies' websites. Getting through the application procedure can often be grueling. But you are able to apply with Jaagruk Bharat, the company that offers passport application assistance services.
