Official fees and timelines

What the government says each service costs, and how long it is supposed to take. Every figure comes from the government’s own published source, linked beside it.

• E-passport

  The same fees apply to a new application and to a re-issue. Every amount includes 15% VAT.

  Super express 2 working days, express 7, regular 15

• Birth registration

  Registration within 45 days of birth is free. So is the replacement certificate after a correction.

  Set by each local registrar office and printed on that office’s own charter

• Land mutation

  The government fee for one application is the same whatever the size of the land.

  28 working days in the ordinary case

• Driving licence

  Learner, smart card and renewal each carry their own fee.

  Set by each circle office and printed on that office’s own charter

• Holding tax

  The tax is a percentage of the property’s assessed annual value, not a flat amount.

  90 days to fix the annual assessment

• Trade licence

  The application is online. Except for risky or publicly sensitive businesses, the licence now issues the moment payment goes through.

  3 working days to issue or renew

• Police clearance certificate

  The certificate people need to travel or live abroad. The application is online on the police portal, and the fee goes through a treasury challan.

  The official portal publishes no fixed day count; the certificate issues once the address verification is done