Understanding Tatkal Passport Fees in India: What You Need to Know Before Applying

If you have ever tried to apply for a passport, you might have figured out how lengthy and tedious the process typically is. While this tedium has mostly been resolved in recent years when the application process has been entirely digitalised, individuals still need to wait for a personal interview appointment and processing.

This can be incredibly challenging when considering the urgency or potential immediate needs of travellers to avail of a passport on a timely basis. This is where travellers can get a passport expeditiously using the Tatkal scheme.

Whether it is the quick turnaround times, earlier appointment dates, or quicker processing, this is an excellent option for travellers. In addition to this, travellers also need to consider other factors such as the Tatkal passport fees in India, the differences in cost between the regular and this expedited manner, and how to get Tatkal passport.

Keep reading this comprehensive guide to learn all you need to know about getting a Tatkal passport.

What is the Tatkal passport service?

Popularised as a service offered when booking train tickets, individuals opting for a passport using the Tatkal method can get their passports urgently. Tatkal is a term that means “immediate”, and travellers can opt for a passport using this method in just a few weeks instead of months, depending on the personal interview appointment date. This method doesn’t just expedite the passport application process and enables travellers to get an interview date much sooner than the regular method. Thus making it an excellent option when urgently requiring a passport.

What are the Tatkal passport fees in India?

The Tatkal passport fees in India are standardised at ₹2000 for both the 36-page and 60-page passport, allowing travellers to understand what the passport fees might be. One thing to note, however, is that although travellers can apply for a passport online and pay for it there, the Tatkal fees, which are to be paid in addition to the regular cost, must be paid in cash during the personal interview.

What is the difference between Tatkal and regular passport fees?

Two main factors influence the fees for a passport: the applicant's age and the number of leaves/pages opted for. Here is a table of the current regular and tatkal passport fees in India:

Age of the applicant	Number of pages in the passport	Regular passport fees	Tatkal passport fees
Below the age of 15 years	Total 36 pages	₹1000	₹3,000
Aged between 15 to 18 years	Total 36 pages	₹1500	₹3,500
Aged between 15 to 18 years	Total 60 pages	₹2000	₹4,000
18 years or older	Total 36 pages	₹1500	₹3,500
18 years or older	Total 60 pages	₹2000	₹4,000

How to get Tatkal passport in India?

Getting a Tatkal passport in India is a simple process that mostly mirrors the regular process. Like the regular method, travellers can choose Tatkal as a scheme, fill in the relevant information, submit the required documents, schedule an appointment, pay the fees, and attend the personal interview. This is where the steps diverge from the regular method, and instead of police verification pre-issuance of the passport, the police verification will be done after getting the passport.

Conclusion

While in the past, the passport application process was lengthy and inaccessible, with numerous documents and checklists to consider. However, due to the digitalisation of this process, the initial application process has been made much more convenient and accessible; thus, travellers can spend less time trying to apply for their passports. However, while it is now easier, travellers still need to map the pros with the Tatkal passport fees in India to determine whether they value the timeliness of the passport issuance in Tatkal’s case or getting a passport at a reasonable cost in the regular one.

So get your Tatkal passport quickly and secure your trip with the right international travel insurance from a leading travel insurance provider like Niva Bupa to travel freely.