Definition
India's fast-track passport service. You pay ₹2,500 over the normal fee, and the passport is usually dispatched within one to three working days of your appointment, with police verification done after issue in most cases.
Tatkal fees at the time of review
| Booklet | Normal | Tatkal |
|---|---|---|
| 36 pages, adult | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| 60 pages, adult | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| 36 pages, minor under 15 | ₹1,750 | ₹4,250 |
You apply and pay on the Passport Seva portal, then visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK with originals.
How fast is it really?
For most applicants, the passport is dispatched within one to three working days after the PSK visit, and Speed Post takes another one to three days. Tatkal appointment slots are released separately and go quickly in big cities, so getting a slot is often the real bottleneck. Try nearby PSKs: a Delhi applicant may find an earlier slot in Ghaziabad or Gurugram.
Documents
Carry identity and address proof as per the portal checklist (Aadhaar plus documents such as PAN, voter ID or a birth certificate), with all originals. Missing paperwork can push you back to the normal queue.
When Tatkal is worth the money
- Your passport has less than six months left and a trip is three weeks away (see six-month validity)
- You need a passport in hand to book a Schengen visa appointment
- A family member's passport is damaged or out of pages
Practical advice
Even with Tatkal, keep two to three weeks between your PSK visit and any visa appointment. If your address has changed since your last passport, police verification may happen before issue, which takes longer. For a family of four adults, Tatkal costs ₹20,000 against ₹10,000 normally (36-page books, fees as revised in 2026), so check expiry dates a year ahead and renew at the normal fee when you can.
Need a visa next? See our visa assistance service.