- The Delhi High Court ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to review the passport fee hike following a legal challenge.
- Overseas passport fees surged from seventy-five to one hundred twenty-five dollars, sparking concerns for migrant workers’ livelihoods.
- The Ministry must address the petitioner’s grievances and provide a formal decision within a three-month timeframe.
The Delhi High Court on July 22, 2026, told the Ministry of External Affairs to act on a challenge to the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The bench disposed of a public interest litigation after sending it back to the ministry. The case came from the Pravasi Legal Cell. The order did not end the dispute.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devender Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard the petition. It questioned the constitutional validity of the revised fee schedule that took effect on July 1, 2026. The judges chose a narrower path. No merits ruling followed.
During the hearing, the bench pushed the petitioner toward the executive. It said:
Free toolDS-160 Form Filling Online Helper Tool"Considering the rate of inflation today, you find this fee to be excessively high? Please represent your cause to the Ministry concerned. They will take a decision."
The remark set the tone.
| India | China | ROW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Oct 15, 2022 | Jul 01, 2023 ▲30d | Current |
| EB-2 | Unavailable | Sep 01, 2021 | Current |
| EB-3 | Jan 01, 2014 | Jan 01, 2022 ▲10d | Sep 01, 2024 ▲31d |
| F-1 | Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d | Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d | Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d |
| F-2A | Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d | Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d | Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d |
The hike is the first major revision in about 14 years. For overseas applicants, a standard 36-page passport rose from US $75, about ₹7,165, to US $125, about ₹11,942. The new schedule also lifted charges for residents, Tatkal service, minor passports, replacements, and police-clearance checks. The numbers moved sharply.
A 10% concession remains for children under 8 and senior citizens over 60 in specific categories. The petition said the burden falls hardest on overseas Indians and migrant workers. It called the hike arbitrary and disproportionate, and said blue-collar workers need passports for their livelihood. The filing also said a family of four can face more than ₹50,000 once outsourcing agency charges and courier fees are added. The bill climbs fast.
The amended fee chart reads like this.
| Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Reissue (36 pages) – Resident | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Fresh/Reissue (36 pages) – Overseas | US $75 (~₹7,165) | US $125 (~₹11,942) |
| Fresh/Reissue (60 pages/Jumbo) | ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 |
| Tatkal Service (36 pages) | ₹3,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Lost/Damaged Replacement (36 pages) | ₹3,000 | ₹5,000 (Normal) / ₹7,500 (Tatkal) |
| Minor (below 18 years) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,750 |
| PCC / Global Entry Verification | ₹500 | ₹750 |
The court said the Union of India should treat the petition as a formal representation. The ministry must examine the grievances and communicate its decision within three months. The notification was issued as GSR 516 on June 25, 2026. The clock is now ticking.
