Ministry of External Affairs Archives

25 Jun

Ministry of External Affairs Notifies Steep Passport Fee Hike Across All Categories Effective July 1

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaLost passport replacement cost, Ministry of External Affairs, Passport fee hike, Passports Amendment Rules 2026, Tatkal passport charges

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In the first major revision of its kind in nearly fourteen years, the Union Government has officially announced a comprehensive restructuring of fees for Indian passports and related travel documents. Exercising powers conferred under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. This notification completely replaces Schedule IV of the legacy Passports Rules, 1980, introducing an upward revision of costs across all demographic categories, page counts, and application modes. The revised financial framework is scheduled to take effect nationwide and across overseas missions starting July…

Over 23 International Scholars to Participate in Kurukshetra International Gita Mahotsav

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryana23 international scholars, Kurukshetra International Gita Mahotsav, Ministry of External Affairs, Neena Malhotra

Kurukshetra – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will bring more than 23 scholars from different countries to participate in this year’s Kurukshetra International Gita Mahotsav. Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) in the MEA, along with Joint Secretary representatives, attended the Gita Mahotsav celebrations in Bali as part of the ministry’s special delegation.Dr. Malhotra announced that the ministry will also organize programs related to the Gita Mahotsav in about 40 countries, further expanding the festival’s global presence. The initiative reflects India’s efforts to spread the cultural and philosophical message of the Bhagavad Gita worldwide. At the closing ceremony of the…

India Flags Concern Over F-1 Visa Scrutiny, Deportations of Indian Nationals from U.S.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaF-1 visa, Indian students, Ministry of External Affairs, U.S. deportation

New Delhi, April 17, 2025: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed Thursday that the Indian government is actively investigating reports of Indian students in the United States receiving notices regarding their F-1 visa status. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy and consulates were in touch with affected students and monitoring the situation closely.The response came amid growing concerns about the treatment of Indian nationals in the U.S., including recent cases involving visa revocations, green card holders being denied re-entry, and Indian tourists being stopped at airports.Adding to the tension, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan…