Passport in 2026: What You'll Pay, Carry and Actually Wait

A fresh 36-page adult passport costs Rs 1,500 normal; Tatkaal adds Rs 2,000 on top

Tatkaal books dispatch in 1-3 working days; normal takes roughly 15-30 days plus police checks

From 15 Feb 2026, your home address moves into a barcode and birth certificates are mandatory only for those born on/after 1 Oct 2023

Every new booklet is now a chip-enabled e-passport at no extra cost

Police verification timing, not the printing, is what usually decides your wait