New Delhi, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Central Government has revised the guidelines for issuing and renewing exempted FASTags for eligible persons with disabilities (Divyangjan/PwD), replacing the earlier annual renewal requirement with validity periods based on the beneficiary’s recorded disability percentage.
The revised guidelines, announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Thursday, will come into effect from October 2, 2026. The move aims to standardise the issuance process and reduce repeated procedural formalities for eligible beneficiaries.
Under the new rules, vehicles specially designed and constructed for use by persons with physical disabilities, as well as vehicles registered under the ownership category “Divyangjan”, will be eligible for exempted FASTags based on the disability percentage recorded in a valid Disability Certificate, Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card or other applicable documents.
Exempted FASTags issued to beneficiaries with a disability percentage of 70 to 100 per cent will be valid for five years. Those issued to persons with a disability percentage of 40 to less than 70 per cent will have a validity of three years.
The FASTags may be renewed upon expiry, subject to continued eligibility and compliance with the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, the ministry said.
The revised provisions are intended to make the national highway tolling system more accessible, transparent and user-friendly for eligible beneficiaries, while ensuring that exemptions remain subject to prescribed rules.
Separately, the government earlier this week announced that the FASTag Annual Pass had crossed one crore users since its launch on August 15, 2025.
The pass is available for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag and is activated on the existing tag linked to the vehicle after payment of a one-time fee through the Rajmargyatra app. Priced at Rs 3,075, it provides validity for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings, whichever comes first, reducing the need for frequent FASTag recharges.
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