More Stories

Informist, Wednesday, Jul. 22, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the government to take a decision within three months on the representation made by a non-government organisation against the sharp hike in passport application and renewal fees. "We direct the respondent to treat the petition as representation and consider the same and take appropriate decisions expeditiously within 3 months," said a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. 

 

The high court was hearing a public interest litigation by Pravasi Legal Cell, a registered Non-Governmental Organisation that includes retired judges, advocates, social activists, and inspired citizens of India dedicated towards empowering people with the power of law. The petitioner had also highlighted the difficulties faced by the migrant workers, who in search of employment go abroad. The passport fee hike for the citizens, including migrants was very high in number, said the petitioner.

 

"Considering the rate of inflation today, do you find it to be high? Please represent the cause to the government, they will consider," said the bench. "Who has enhanced the fees? Make your representation to the Ministry of External Affairs," it said. The petitioner informed the court that it had already sent a representation to the government, however, no decision has been taken on it.

 

Earlier in June, the government revised the passport fee structure through an amendment to the Passports Rules, 1980. The application fee for an ordinary fresh passport containing 36 pages has been hiked from INR 1,500 to INR 2,500. The corresponding tatkaal fee has been raised from INR 3,500 to INR 5,000. Further, for the applicants seeking replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page passport, the normal fee has been raised from INR 3,000 to INR 5,000, while the tatkaal charge has increased from INR 5,000 to INR 7,500. The new rules came into effect Jul. 1.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.