FASTag Annual Pass Launched: 200 National Highway Trips for ₹3,000 – All You Need to Know
In a major move to streamline and simplify highway travel across India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a FASTag-based Annual Toll Pass. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled the initiative on June 18, 2025, aiming to benefit private vehicle owners with significant toll savings and ease of movement.
The annual pass, priced at ₹3,000, will provide 200 trips on National Highways and Expressways, starting from August 15, 2025. This landmark decision supports India’s vision of smart mobility, digital payments, and smoother intercity travel.
Let’s dive into the details.
What Is the FASTag Annual Pass?
The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid subscription model where private (non-commercial) vehicle owners can pay a one-time fee of ₹3,000 and make up to 200 trips through toll plazas managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The pass is not time-bound by distance or road type, but rather by trip count and one-year validity. Once either of those limits is reached, users can choose to repurchase the pass or resume regular FASTag toll deductions.
Where Is It Applicable?
The annual pass applies only on National Highways and National Expressways under the NHAI jurisdiction. It does not cover:
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State highways
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City roads
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Private roads (e.g., inside malls, airports)
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Commercial vehicles
This means your road trips on major intercity routes—like Delhi to Jaipur, Mumbai to Pune, Bengaluru to Hyderabad—are now much more affordable if you travel regularly.
How Much Can You Save?
Here’s a quick breakdown of potential savings:
| Current Cost per Trip | 200 Trips Without Pass | With Annual Pass | Total Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹50 (average toll) | ₹10,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹7,000 |
This can be even higher for routes with tolls exceeding ₹100. Regular commuters, weekend travelers, and long-distance drivers stand to benefit the most.
Eligibility Criteria
The FASTag Annual Pass is strictly for non-commercial private vehicles such as:
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Cars
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SUVs
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Vans
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Jeeps
To be eligible:
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Your FASTag must be active and not blacklisted.
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It should be linked to your vehicle registration number (VRN).
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The tag must be properly affixed on the windshield.
No additional documents or re-registration is required.
How to Activate the Annual Pass
The pass becomes available starting August 15, 2025, and can be activated through:
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Rajmarg Yatra App
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NHAI’s official website
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Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) portal
Activation Steps:
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Log into the Rajmarg Yatra app or NHAI portal.
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Enter your FASTag-linked vehicle details.
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Pay ₹3,000 using UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking.
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Receive confirmation and start driving.
Each toll trip will then be counted automatically, without any balance deduction until you cross the 200-trip limit.
How It Works
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Open Toll System: Each direction (entry or exit) is counted as one trip.
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Closed Toll System: One entry-exit journey is one trip regardless of distance.
Once 200 trips or 12 months are completed, users can either buy another annual pass or continue using their standard FASTag with balance top-ups.
Why This Matters
This initiative solves several challenges for both drivers and highway authorities:
1. Reduced Cost
Long-distance travelers often pay thousands annually in tolls. With this fixed-rate model, budgeting for road travel becomes easier and cheaper.
2. Faster Toll Transit
Since the system is prepaid and capped, it reduces payment friction at toll booths, speeding up traffic movement.
3. Digital and Paperless
Aligned with the Digital India vision, the activation and tracking system is fully online with no physical pass or sticker required.
What’s Next?
With its launch around Independence Day 2025, the FASTag Annual Pass is expected to revolutionize how Indians experience national highway travel. The ministry is also considering extending similar models for:
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Two-wheelers on expressways
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Monthly city pass models
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Discounted digital toll schemes for senior citizens or students
Conclusion
The FASTag annual pass announcement is a welcome and timely initiative by the Indian government to reduce the cost and complexity of road travel. For ₹3,000 per year, private vehicle owners can enjoy 200 trips across India’s national highways without worrying about toll deductions every time they hit the road.
With digital activation, transparent tracking, and potential savings of ₹7,000 or more, this scheme is set to be a big win for frequent travelers. Mark your calendar for August 15, 2025, and get ready to drive smarter, cheaper, and faster.
