New Delhi, June 25 -- The Central government on Thursday hiked the passport fees for the first time in roughly 14 years, bringing the cost of a fresh passport to Rs.2,500 under the normal scheme and Rs.5,000 under the Tatkaal scheme. The fee hike would come into effect from 1 July.

The development comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that a passport is merely a travel document and not proof of citizenship.

The official document read, "In exercise of the powers conferred by section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967(15 of 1967), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Passports Rules, 1980."

Under the new rates, a 36-page ordinary fresh passport or its reissue for applicants ...