The Indian government has officially rolled out the much-anticipated FASTag Annual Pass, effective from August 15, 2025. Priced at a straightforward ₹3,000, this initiative promises a smoother, more cost-effective travel experience for private vehicle owners across the nation’s highways and expressways. This new pass is designed to allow eligible private cars, jeeps, and vans to enjoy hassle-free passage at designated National Highways and Expressway toll plazas, eliminating per-trip user fees for up to 200 crossings or one year, whichever milestone is reached first.
This forward-thinking move aims to significantly reduce congestion at toll booths and provide substantial savings for frequent commuters and inter-city travellers. According to data released by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), early adopters could potentially save up to ₹7,680 annually on toll charges, depending on their travel frequency. The entire process of purchasing and activating this pass has been streamlined for digital convenience.
Key Details of the FASTag Annual Pass
Here’s a snapshot of the essential information you need to know about the new Annual Pass:
- Price: The pass is available for ₹3,000.
- Effective Date: It officially became active nationwide on August 15, 2025.
- Validity: The pass is valid for 200 toll crossings or one year, whichever comes first.
- Activation Time: After payment, it typically takes up to 1-2 hours for the pass to become active.
- Purchase Platforms: Exclusively available through the Rajmargyatra mobile application and the NHAI website.
- Vehicle Eligibility: Open to private cars, jeeps, and vans used for non-commercial purposes, provided they have an active FASTag linked to their registration number.
- Payment Options: You can purchase the pass using UPI, debit/credit cards, or net banking.
- Activation Confirmation: Users will receive an SMS notification once their pass is activated.
- Benefits: Grants free passage at specified National Highways and Expressway toll plazas, negating per-trip charges.
- Existing FASTag: There is no need to buy a new FASTag; your current one will work seamlessly.
- FASTag Wallet Usage: Your existing FASTag wallet balance cannot be used to pay for the Annual Pass. However, your wallet remains active for other tolls (like State Highways) and parking.
- Trip Counting: Only trips on highways where the annual pass is active will count towards the 200-trip limit. Other passes, such as local or monthly passes, will take precedence at their respective plazas.
How to Purchase Your FASTag Annual Pass
The process of acquiring and activating your new FASTag Annual Pass is designed to be straightforward, primarily via the Rajmargyatra mobile application:
- Open the App: Launch the Rajmargyatra app and navigate to the “Annual Pass” option, usually found under “Toll Road Information.”
- Enter Vehicle Details: Input your Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) and validate it to confirm your eligibility for the pass.
- Verify Mobile Number: Confirm your registered mobile number for a One-Time Password (OTP) verification. Enter the OTP received.
- Review Details: Carefully check the pass details displayed, including the number of available toll crossings and the activation date.
- Proceed to Payment: Complete the payment of ₹3,000 using your preferred method – UPI, credit/debit cards, or net banking.
- Activation: Your pass should activate within 1-2 hours after successful payment. An SMS confirmation will be sent to your registered mobile number once it’s active.
Important Tips for Users
To ensure a smooth experience with your new pass, keep the following in mind:
- Always ensure your FASTag is properly mounted and fully functional before purchasing the pass.
- Double-check that your Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) and vehicle category are correctly displayed during the eligibility check.
- It’s advisable to maintain a small balance in your FASTag wallet. This helps prevent any activation delays or potential blacklisting of your tag.
- For future reference, save a screenshot of your pass card and payment receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
To address common queries, here are some highlights from the FAQ section, as shared by the Rajmargyatra app developers:
| Question | Answer Summary |
|---|---|
| What is the FASTag Annual Pass? | It allows private vehicles free passage at national highways and expressways toll plazas for 1 year or 200 trips without per-trip charges. |
| Where can the Annual Pass be purchased? | Exclusively via the Rajmargyatra mobile app or the NHAI website. |
| Is a new FASTag needed for the Annual Pass? | No, your existing FASTag can be used without replacement. |
| Can FASTag wallet balance be used for the Annual Pass? | No, payment must be made separately through available payment gateways on the app or website. |
| Can the Annual Pass be used along with Local or Monthly passes? | Yes, Annual Pass trips are not counted where other passes are already active. |
The launch of the Rajmargyatra app on Google Play Store on August 12, 2025, prepared the ground for this significant rollout. This new application comes with enhanced FASTag and toll management features, specifically tailored to support the Annual Pass system. This initiative represents a major step towards digitising and simplifying highway travel in India, promising greater convenience and significant savings for regular travellers.
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