How to Apply for a New Passport Online

If you are planning to apply for a new passport in India, this guide is for you. Starting July 1, 2026, the Government of India has introduced major changes to the passport application process, and the passport fees have increased for the first time in 14 years.

Along with the new passport fee structure, applicants will now also receive a chip-enabled e-passport with an embedded electronic chip that stores applicant data digitally.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire passport application process 2026, including the updated passport fees, required documents, the police verification process, and how to track your passport delivery.

What’s New in the Passport Application Process 2026?

Two major changes have taken effect from July 1, 2026:

1. Increased passport fees — the first fee hike in 14 years
2. Chip-enabled e-passports — a new electronic chip embedded in the passport booklet that stores your data digitally for enhanced security

Updated Passport Fees Chart (July 2026)

Here is the complete breakdown of the new passport fees in India:

Passport Type	Booklet Pages	Old Fee	New Fee (July 2026)
Normal Passport	36 pages	₹1,500	₹2,500
Tatkal Passport	36 pages	—	₹5,000
Normal Passport	60 pages	—	₹3,500
Tatkal Passport	60 pages	—	₹6,000

If you choose the normal passport process (non-urgent), you save time in queue but the base fee has still risen from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500. Opting for the 60-page booklet or the Tatkal passport scheme (faster processing) will cost significantly more.

How to Apply for a New Passport Online

Step 1: Visit the Official Passport Seva Portal

Open your browser and search for “Passport Seva“, or go directly to the official government portal. Always use the official website link to avoid fraudulent third-party sites.

Step 2: Register for a New Login ID

If you’re a first-time applicant, you need to complete passport online registration:

• Choose “Passport Office” (not CPV Delhi, which is only for diplomatic/official passports)
• Select your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
• Enter your full name and email ID
• Opt to use your email as your login ID
• Check ID availability
• Set a password (minimum 8 characters)
• Click Sign Up

You will receive an OTP verification email. Complete the registration by verifying your email, then log back in using your Passport Seva login credentials.

Step 3: Start Your Fresh Passport Application

Once logged in:

• Go to the Services section
• Select “Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport”
• Click Skip for Now, then Next

Step 4: Choose Between Normal and Tatkal Passport

You’ll be asked to select your passport application type:

• Normal Passport: Lower cost, longer processing time — now ₹2,500 for a 36-page booklet
• Tatkal Passport: Faster processing, requires additional documents, now ₹5,000 for a 36-page booklet

Select your preferred booklet type (36 or 60 pages) and click Save and Next.

Step 5: Fill in Personal Details

This section requires:

• Given Name (first name + middle name) and Surname
• Gender
• Any alternate name (if applicable)
• Whether you’ve changed your name previously
• Date of birth and place of birth
• Marital status
• Citizenship of India by birth (or other category)
• Optional document numbers (PAN card, Voter ID — not mandatory)
• Employment type: Government servant, private sector, self-employed, or student
• Whether your parents/spouse are government servants
• Educational qualification

Understanding Non-ECR vs ECR Passport Categories

This is one of the most important and often confusing parts of the passport application process:

• Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) Passport: No special notation on the address page. Available if you have at least a 10th-grade qualification, are above 50 years of age, are a government servant, are a minor with a Non-ECR parent, or can submit an ITR (Income Tax Return) copy.
• ECR (Emigration Check Required) Passport: Marked “Immigration Clearance Required.” This applies mainly to work visa travel to countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Malaysia. For tourist visa travel, both ECR and Non-ECR passports carry the same value with no difference.

If your qualification is below 10th grade, you can still get a Non-ECR passport by submitting alternate proof such as an ITR copy, age proof, or government service proof.

Finally, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and grant permission to use it, then click Save and Next. You will receive an application reference number — note this down carefully in case of any server errors.

Step 6: Family Member Details

Provide details of your father’s name, mother’s name, and legal guardian (if applicable). Married applicants will also need to provide their spouse’s name.

Step 7: Address Details

Fill in your:

• Current/present address (house number, village, Gram Panchayat, PIN code)
• State, district, and police station (this determines where your police verification will take place)
• Mobile number and email ID
• Permanent address (if different from current address)

Pro tip: If your current and permanent addresses are the same, select “Yes” to avoid duplicate police verification at two locations.

Step 8: Emergency Contact Details

Provide the name, address, mobile number, and email of an emergency contact (parent, sibling, or guardian) — especially important if you plan to travel abroad.

Step 9: Eligibility Declarations

You’ll answer a series of eligibility questions, including:

• Do you hold any Identity Certificate?
• Have you previously held a diplomatic or official passport?
• Have you applied for a passport before? (If yes, provide your previous application number)
• Are you involved in any pending court case or criminal proceedings?
• Have you ever been detained by any country?

Most first-time applicants will answer “No” to these, but always read each question carefully.

Step 10: Preview and Confirm Your Application

Review the passport preview carefully — check your name, surname order, and given name for accuracy before clicking I Agree and Save and Next.

Apply for IRCT ID to book train ticket

Step 11: Upload Required Documents

Depending on your category, you may need up to three types of passport documents:

1. Proof of Birth — Birth certificate, Voter ID card, PAN card, or driving license
2. Proof of Present Residence Address — Aadhaar card, electricity bill, gas connection, income tax assessment order, etc.
3. Non-ECR Category Proof (if applicable) — Matriculation certificate, age proof, ITR copy, or government service proof

You can skip the DigiLocker authentication option, since the Passport Seva Kendra will still scan your physical documents on the day of your appointment.

Step 12: Submit and Pay the Passport Fee

After submitting your declaration, review your application one final time, then click Submit. Your application will be locked, and you’ll be redirected to:

• Pay and Schedule Appointment
• Select your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)
• Choose your appointment date and time
• Complete the online passport fee payment via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI

Once payment is successful, download your appointment receipt — you’ll need it (along with photocopies of your documents) on the day of your visit.

What Happens at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)?

On your appointment day, arrive 30 minutes early with your original documents and photocopies. The process involves three counters:

• Counter A: Document scanning and biometric capture (fingerprints and photograph via DSLR camera)
• Counter B: Application and document cross-verification
• Counter C: Final review by a government officer, who decides whether your passport application is granted

If everything checks out, your file is approved, and you can head home — your work at the passport office is complete.

Police Verification Process for Passport

Within one to two days of your PSK visit, your file is forwarded to the police verification department. The process typically involves:

• District-level police records check for any criminal history
• Local police station verification of your residential address
• Either a physical visit to your home or a phone call asking you to visit the police station
• Digital approval via iPad/tablet once verification is complete

Important: There is no official fee for police verification. The only cost involved is the government passport fee you already paid online. While there may be delays of a few days, no legitimate payment should be requested at the police station level.

Govt Related Post:

• Labour Card Online Apply of Bihar, Karnataka, Odisha & Delhi Complete Guide
• How to Apply for Permanent Driving License Online in India
• How to Apply for a New PAN Card Online in 2025 Using Aadhaar (Step-by-Step Guide)

Passport Printing and Delivery

Once police verification is cleared:

1. Your passport moves to the printing stage (1–2 days)
2. Quality checks are performed
3. The passport is dispatched via India Post to your registered address

Important delivery note: By government policy, the passport can only be handed over to the named applicant. If you live in a different city for work or studies, make sure you’re available at your registered address on the delivery date, or your passport could be returned to sender. Use the tracking number provided to monitor delivery status on the India Post website.

The new passport rules and fees effective July 2026 bring both a higher passport fee and enhanced security through chip-enabled e-passports. By following the step-by-step passport application process outlined above — from online registration to document submission, fee payment, police verification, and final delivery — you can complete your passport application smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays.

Frequently Asked Questions