Normal vs Tatkal Passport: 2025 Fees, Diff & Time Guide

Deciding on a normal passport vs tatkal passport can be tough sometimes, and you are not the only one. In 2025, the citizens of India are experiencing increasing wait times, new functions of ePassports, and application-related issues based on the region. Selecting the most appropriate type of passport will save you time, money, and unwarranted strains.

India has since turned up with ePassports as an added security value in the form of digital security. The standard passport processing time has been increased to 30-45 working days, whereas the Tatkal passport can be processed in 1-3 working days as long as all the urgent documents are available.

What is a Normal Passport?

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport? A regular passport is the usual internationally accepted travel document given to the citizens of India by the Government of India to those who intend to travel abroad for non-emergency, routine travel. It is most convenient with people who have the time to plan, like students traveling abroad, visionaries, or people on a work trip. They must plan their trip. The usual documents that must be submitted during application include Aadhaar, address, and birth details.

Pre-issuance police verification is one of the significant steps to ensure that the background and identity of the applicant have been verified before the passport is shipped. A normal passport usually takes around 30 to 45 working days to arrive. Still, the region may influence the processing time depending on the speed, and other factors may also affect the processing time, like whether you are applying in the metro area or not; some places can take a long time to get their normal passport.

Latest Eligibility & Documentation for Normal Passport in 2025

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport? Every citizen of India is entitled to fill in the application for a normal passport if they have the correct and valid papers. This type of passport does not entail any explanation of the urgency of the travel, and is most appropriate when one has planned their trip. 

The simple documentation that would be necessary is:

• Aadhaar card (primary ID and address )

• Voter ID or PAN card (to prove further identity)

• Birth certificate ( required for minors or first-time applicants to confirm their date of birth).

• Proof of address (this needs to be an electricity bill, a water bill, a rent agreement, or a bank statement)

• Size of passport photographs according to official specifications, passport-size photographs should be in passport size.

A person need not produce any urgent documents as they are not required in the Tatkal scheme. After verification of such records, police clearance of individuals and issuance of passports are done.

Current Processing Time & Fees for Normal Passport for Indians in 2025

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport? It takes 30-45 working days to get a regular passport in India, at least in most places, depending on the speed with which the police verification goes through. Rural applicants have a higher waiting time, as it takes more time to verify them, and there are logistical reasons. 

Application fees:

• INR 1,500 for a 36-page passport booklet (for adults)

• INR 2,000 to get a passport book of 60 pages (for adults who have frequent travelling requirements) 

With the standard passport, there are no other surcharges or urgency charges. It is therefore the cheaper alternative to people who may not be able to afford to have them processed on a standard basis. 

Also Read: Where to Find Passport Book Number on Indian Passport?

Best Use Cases for a Normal Passport in 2025

The regular passport service is suitable for those who do not mind taking their time and want a standard, affordable, functional process. It fits many different applicants who can plan their travel long before. 

This alternative is most suitable in the case of:

• Those who have never been there and do not have any time limits to travel

• Some people may book a ticket to go abroad several months before, and they are students, tourists, or job seekers. 

Value travellers who do not want to use the extra Tatkal surcharge

• Individuals applying for a passport renewal who do not need it as quickly as is permitted by expedited procedures and have time to process under the expected timelines.

• The standard passport will be viable and economical for all categories.

What is a Tatkal Passport?

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport? Tatkal passport is a special type of the regular Indian passport designed to be issued to those individuals who need to travel urgently because of emergencies or urgent needs. This offer is ideal when last-minute medical emergencies, business trips, or family issues require emergency international travel.

Unlike the normal passport process, it is common to do a police verification before issuing the passport. In contrast, in the Tatkal passport, a police verification is typically done after the passport has been issued. This is a massive difference in terms of the total timeframe of getting a passport, and the applicants can now get their passport in fewer working days, in fact, 1 to 3 working days. All they have to do is properly get all the relevant documents and proofs of expediency.

This quicker turnaround would be particularly helpful to those traveling who would typically not have the time to wait the traditional 30-45 days and have to ensure that delays would not derail their travel plans. Yet, one should mention that the Tatkal scheme involves more costs and stricter eligibility criteria, such as the necessity to provide evidence of urgency.

Latest Eligibility & Documentation for Tatkal Passport for Indians in 2025

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport? The application procedure of the Tatkal passport is the same as that of a regular passport, except that the applicants are required to provide all additional documents demanded by the government in a standard passport application procedure, coupled with substantiating evidence as to why they need the urgently finished passport. This record-keeping tool makes the Tatkal office available to those in an emergency. 

The documents that are usually required include:

• Aadhaar card and any other government-issued photo ID card (including Voter ID, PAN card, and Driving License)

• Indication of urgency, which may be:

A hospital letter or medical certificate (in case of a health emergency)

• Valid flight tickets (that indicate there is an impending travel)

• Official government or business letter (official or business travel)

• Where there is a verification certificate of address (Annexure F) or verification of identity (Annexure I), you can use it to verify the address and identity.

• Annexure E is a self-declaration form stating that the application is urgent.

• Recent passport-sized photographs of official size 

Applicants who hail from or belong to specific regions, such as the Jammu and Kashmir region and the Nagaland region, may have a chance of being restricted or unqualified from issuing a Tatkal passport as per the regional policy. Under the Tatkal scheme, submission of complete and correct documents is essential so there is no delay and no chance of rejection. 

Also Read: Passport Types in India: Expert's Latest Guide

Current Processing Time & Fees for Tatkal Passport for Indians in 2025

The time consumed in processing a Tatkal passport is way less than that of a regular passport. After verification and approvals of all the documents, it usually takes 1 to 3 working days to hand the passports to the applicants. It is a perfect way for people who urgently need to travel. 

Tatkal Passport Charges 2025

• A 36-page passport booklet (for adults) costs 3,500

• Adults who need more pages pay 4000/- per 60-page passport booklet.

• Senior citizens and minors who avail themselves of the Tatkal scheme can avail themselves of partial fee waivers, bringing down the total cost. 

Such fees are more than those charged under the standard passport option to compensate for the fast tracking and extra work in the administration.

When to Choose Tatkal Over Normal Passport in 2025?

Normal passport vs Tatkal passport, what should one choose? Tatkal passport service involves those who need a passport within a very short time, for one reason or another, but they would not wait for the standard processing of 30 to 45 days at least. You can consider taking Tatkal when the following are the case: 

• Confirmed Foreign Travel Within the Coming Days: In case you have purchased a sleeper or visa bookings that warrant taking time to get a valid passport urgently, Tatkal will get you the passport within a short period.

• Medical or Family Emergency: Emergencies such as sudden illness, hospitalization, or urgent family matters abroad require a quicker travel time, and therefore, Tatkal is the best option.

• Damaged or Lost Passport that Requires Urgent Reissue: If the passport is lost or damaged shortly before the trip, the Tatkal service can quickly provide you with a new one.

• Last-minute Business Travel or Government Visits: You may suddenly receive official travel plans that cannot wait before they are completed, such as going on a business trip or an official visit, and this is why Tatkal can give you priority in terms of your passport application, so that you do not end up having to wait. 

Such situations are emergencies, and your Tatkal scheme could save you a lot of time and help you avoid missing essential journeys.

Normal Passport vs Tatkal Passport – Latest Feature Comparison Table: Updated

Current Application Process Steps: Normal Passport VS Tatkal Passport 2025

Knowing the stage-by-stage process of every corner of passports assists you in preparing and saving your time. So here is the difference between a normal passport vs Tatkal passport application: 

Ordinary Passport Application Procedure

1. Sign up on the Passport Seva Portal

Register yourself on the official Passport Seva site to start with the application.

2. Fill in the Online Application Form

Enter everything related to the personal information, as well as the specifications needed, and travel information.

3. Make the Usual Passport Fee

Pay the usual price ( 1,500 rupees per 36 pages).

4. Make an Appointment

You can reserve a time for yourself at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

5. Original Documents to the PSK

Take all the documents, as well as photocopies, to the appointment.

Biometric data acquisitions and document check-ups in a complete set

You should provide your fingerprints and picture, and verify the documents at the PSK.

6. Passport Verification by the Police Before Shipping Them

The passport will be issued after the police have checked your residential and identity data.

• It takes 30- 45 working days to receive your passport

• Your passport is verified and then printed to reach your address. 

Tatkal Process of Applying for Passports in 2025

Here is the tatkal process of applying for passports:

1. Enrol on the Passport Seva Portal

Sign in or register on a dedicated online site.

2. Choose Tatkal as the Type of Service

To make the process faster, choose the high-speed Tatkal service.

3. Publish Authentic Papers of Urgency

Attach any document, such as a medical certificate, a flight ticket, or an official letter.

4. Tatkal Fees Payment Online

Pay the Tatkal passport price (36 pages, 3500).

5. Make the First Possible Reservation

Book the earliest appointment you can get to a PSK.

6. Go to the PSK and Take All Required Documents

Keep your usual Tatkal documents and Annexure forms along with you.

• Learn to go through document verification and get biometric data recorded

• The PSK officials check your documents, and your biometrics are recorded.

• You will have your passport in 1-3 working days. 

The verification by police usually takes place after the issuance, which means the delivery can be quicker.

Take advantage of these straightforward steps, and having all your documents ready, you can select an application type that suits you best, considering your sense of urgency and travel intentions.

What are the Pros and Cons of Normal Passport VS Tatkal Passport in 2025?

 In choosing what is best between a normal passport vs tatkal passport, it is better to know the benefits and disadvantages of each to select the most favorable. 

Normal Passport

Pros:

• Cheaper: Lower cost. The standard charges are very low compared to the Tatkal charges, so it is affordable.

• No Urgency Required: You are not required to give any explanation or reason as to why you need to travel with urgency.

• Perfectly Suitable for Planned Traveling: Of course, those who can plan months without time limits. 

Cons:

• Slower Processing: The 30 45 working-day processing period implies applying early.

• Police Check may be Delayed: Pre-issuance police verification may be slow, particularly in rural delays. 

Tatkal Passport

Pros:

• Speed of Processing: Receive your passport in 1 to 3 working days after reviewing the documents.

• Police Clearance: This usually follows the issuance of passports. This is to accelerate the delivery of passports.

• It is Fantastic When you Need to Travel: It is pre-qualified for last-minute traveling needs or any emergency. 

Cons:

• Increased Charges: Tatkal is more expensive than the regular amount charged on a passport, by over a hundred percent.

• Additional Documentation: You must show that the case is urgent and file extra papers.

• Chances of Non-Availability in a Few States: States such as Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland do not offer Tatkal in their region. 

Realizing these merits and demerits will assist you in determining your speed, budget, and documentation preparation during the application.

Latest Common Mistakes and Tips for Passport Applicants

It is stressful to apply for a passport, whether normal passport vs tatkal passport. A lot of missed opportunities or declines occur due to preventable mistakes. To have a smooth application process, it is essential to be on the lookout for these common blunders and bear in mind the following helpful pointers: 

General Misconceptions to watch out for:

• Incomplete Documentation: The number one reason behind the delay in making the applications is that they are not filled out with all the required materials.

• Absence of Annexures (Tatkal Applicants): In case of a Tatkal application, certain annexure forms (Annexure E, F, or I, etc.) are required. Failure to remember them may result in rejection.

• Wrong or Expired Address Proof: By providing wrong or expired address proofs, the problem of verification arises.

• They do not confirm the Availability of Appointments in Regions: Time goes too quickly, particularly Tatkal in metros. You cannot miss this because it might stall your schedule considerably. 

Instructions

• Re-check your Document Checklist: You should use official lists and cross-check all your documents.

• Make your Bookings Well in Advance: This will ensure you get your PSK appointment to avoid making a last-minute rush.

• Verification using DigiLocker: Availing your documents online can minimize paperwork, lower the risk of checking the documents manually, and enhance verification.

• Maintain a Scanned Copy of Every Document: This would save time in case of any inquiry or re-submission of the copy.

• Monitor your Application Status Continually: This may be done through the app or the Passport Seva site to check the status and react to any warnings. 

These easy yet powerful steps can shorten your wait and increase your likelihood of getting a passport issued without any problems. 

Also Read: How to Change Passport Appointment Date? Experts Guide

Latest Facts & News (2025)

• India has rolled out ePassport features for added security this year.

• The standard processing time for a normal passport is now 30–45 days (sometimes longer in rural areas).

• Tatkal passports can be processed in 1–3 working days if all urgent documents are correct.

• The Tatkal passport service fee in 2025 is INR 3,500 for a 36-page adult booklet, while the normal passport is INR 1,500.

• Not everyone qualifies for Tatkal—proof of urgency and specific eligibility is required (including for minors only under urgency).

• Police verification is usually post-issuance for Tatkal, and pre-issuance for normal applications.

• Applicants from Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland may have restrictions for Tatkal passports.

• Minor and senior citizen applicants can receive Tatkal fee benefits.

• Improved digital verification has sped up police checks in metros; rural applicants may still face longer waits.

• Online appointment slots for both options are subject to regional demand and can affect timelines.

Are you torn between waiting weeks or getting your passport in just days—at a higher cost? Discover which passport pathway fits your urgency, budget, and eligibility for 2025!

Conclusion

The choice of a normal passport vs Tatkal passport in 2025 depends on your needs since a Tatkal passport is faster, more expensive, and less documented. The regular passport is also more affordable if you plan. However, when it comes to finding yourself in a hurry or in need of immediate travel, the Tatkal passport will be able to get you across the borders quicker, but at an increased fee. 

Contact TerraTern for more information on normal passport vs Tatkal passport.