Opinion Explained: FASTag Annual Pass scheme, which aims to provide ‘hassle-free highway travel’ at Rs 3,000

What is the FASTag Annual Pass scheme?

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). A FASTag sticker is usually pasted on the windscreen of a car. It was launched in 2014 as a pilot project and made mandatory at every toll plaza in the country in 2021.

The new annual pass scheme, activated on the FASTag, will allow free passage of private car, jeep or van at National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) fee plazas for the given duration, without per-trip user fee charges.

Once the Annual Pass completes either 200 trips or one year from the date of activation, it will automatically revert to a regular FASTag. However, the user may re-purchase the Annual Pass once the 200-trip limit is exhausted, even if the one-year validity period has not yet ended.

The pass is non-transferable and is valid only for the vehicle on which the FASTag is affixed and registered.

What counts as a single trip under the Annual Pass?

For the point-based fee plazas, each crossing of the fee plaza will be counted as one trip. A round trip (to and fro) will be counted as two trips. For closed tolling fee plazas, one pair of entry and exit will be counted as one trip.

Is the FASTagAnnual Pass mandatory?

No, the Annual Pass is not mandatory. The existing FASTag ecosystem will continue to operate as it is. Users who do not opt for the Annual Pass can continue to use their FASTag for regular transactions as per applicable user fee rates at fee plazas.

Which vehicles are covered under the pass?

The Annual Pass is applicable only for private non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), use of annual pass in any commercial vehicle will result in immediate deactivation without notice.

How will it be activated?

It will be activated after verifying the eligibility of the vehicle and the associated FASTag. Upon successful verification, the user will have to make a payment of Rs. 3,000 for the base year 2025–26 through the Rajmargyatra mobile application or the NHAI website. Once the payment is confirmed, the Annual Pass will be activated on the registered FASTag. The user will receive SMS notifications related to the Annual Pass.

Those who already have the FASTag need not purchase a new FASTag, as the Annual Pass can be activated on existing FASTag. However, it should meet the eligibility criteria, i.e., it is properly affixed on the vehicle’s windshield, linked to a valid Vehicle Registration Number, not blacklisted, etc.

Are all toll plazas covered under the pass?

No. It is valid only at National Highway and National Expressway fee plazas. At fee plazas on Expressways, State Highways, etc. managed by state governments or local bodies, the FASTag will operate as a regular FASTag, and applicable user fee charges will apply.

Will the Annual Pass fee be revised?

Yes. A notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on June 17 says that the amount of fee payable for the pass may be revised annually with effect from April 1 of every year.