FASTag rules changed for Divyangjan: Who gets 3-year, 5-year toll exemption from October 2?

According to fresh market updates, Divyangjan FASTag rules changed:  The government has revised the rules for issuing and renewing exempted FASTags for Divyangjan and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), reducing the frequency of renewals and linking the validity of the exemption to the percentage of disability recorded in official documents.

As per the PIB release, the revised guidelines will come into effect from October 2, 2026.

The move is aimed at making toll-related procedures simpler for eligible beneficiaries and bringing greater uniformity to the issuance and renewal of exempted FASTags.

What has changed for Divyangjan FASTag holders?

The biggest change is in the validity period of the exempted FASTag.

Under the earlier system, eligible Divyangjan beneficiaries were required to renew their exempted FASTag every year.

Under the revised framework, the validity will depend on the percentage of disability recorded in a valid Disability Certificate, Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card or other applicable documents.

New Divyangjan FASTag validity period

The new validity periods are:

* 70% to 100% disability: Exempted FASTag valid for five years.

* 40% to less than 70% disability: Exempted FASTag valid for three years

After the validity period expires, the exempted FASTag can be renewed, subject to the beneficiary continuing to meet the eligibility criteria and complying with the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

Who can get an exempted FASTag?

The revised guidelines cover eligible vehicles associated with Divyangjan/PwD beneficiaries.

This includes:

* Vehicles specially designed and constructed for use by persons with physical disabilities

* Vehicles registered under the ownership type ‘Divyangjan’

The exempted FASTag will be issued based on the percentage of disability recorded in a valid Disability Certificate, UDID Card or other applicable records.

Why has the government changed the rules?

The earlier requirement of annual renewal meant eligible beneficiaries had to go through the renewal process every year.

The revised framework reduces this procedural burden by providing multi-year validity based on the recorded percentage of disability.

The government stated the changes are intended to make the national highway tolling system more "accessible, transparent and user-friendly", while ensuring that toll exemptions keep be provided only to those who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.

In effect, eligible beneficiaries with elevated recorded disability will not have to go through the renewal process as frequently as under the earlier guidelines.

What happens when the FASTag expires?

The longer validity does not mean the exemption becomes permanent.

Once the three-year or five-year validity period expires, depending on the recorded percentage of disability, the FASTag may be renewed. Renewal will stay subject to:

* Continued eligibility as a Divyangjan/PwD beneficiary

* Valid supporting disability documentation

* Applicable provisions of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008

* Other prescribed conditions for toll exemption

Beneficiaries as a result need to ensure that their supporting documents stay valid and meet the applicable requirements when seeking renewal.

When will the new rules take effect?

The revised guidelines will come into effect from October 2, 2026.

The key change for existing and prospective beneficiaries is that exempted FASTag validity will no longer be based on an annual renewal cycle. Instead, it will be linked to the recorded percentage of disability.

What is FASTag Annual Pass and how is it different?

The revised Divyangjan FASTag rules should not be confused with the government's FASTag Annual Pass scheme.

The Annual Pass is a separate facility available to eligible private vehicles for travel on national highways and national expressways.

The number of FASTag Annual Passes has crossed one crore since its launch on August 15 last year, according to an official statement.

The Annual Pass is available at around 1,150 fee plazas on national highways and national expressways. It allows eligible users to travel for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings, whichever comes first, after paying a one-time fee of Rs 3,075.

The pass is available for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag. It is activated on the existing FASTag linked to the vehicle after payment through the Rajmargyatra app.

FASTag annual pass reaches one crore milestone

The government has recently informed that the total number of 'FASTag Annual Pass' has crossed the significant milestone of one crore since its launch on August 15 last year.

The Annual Pass, applicable on around 1,150 fee plazas on national highways and national expressways, eliminates the need to frequently recharge FASTag through a one-time fee payment of Rs 3,075 for one year validity or 200 toll plaza crossings.

The pass is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag. The annual pass gets activated on the existing FASTag linked to the vehicle after a one-time fee payment through the Rajmargyatra app.