You can get a blue tick on Instagram by paying a monthly fee or by proving you are a notable public figure. The paid route costs Rs 699 per month on mobile and requires a valid government ID. The free route requires major press coverage but costs nothing.
The Two Ways to Get an Instagram Blue Tick in India
You have two options to get verified on Instagram in India today. You can pay a monthly fee for Meta Verified or apply for the free legacy verification. Both routes give you the exact same blue badge next to your name. The badge looks identical to your followers, profile visitors, and brand partners.
Neither route requires a minimum follower count. You can apply with 1,000 followers or 10 lakh followers. The paid route requires a government ID to prove you are a real person. The free route requires news articles to prove you are a public figure.
Meta Verified: The Paid Route
Meta Verified is a monthly subscription service for creators. It gives you the blue tick, active impersonation protection, and direct access to account support.
Instagram Blue Tick Price in India
Meta Verified costs Rs 699 per month if you buy it through the iOS or Android app. You can pay Rs 599 per month if you subscribe via a web browser. The mobile app price is higher because Apple and Google charge a cut on app store payments.
You must be at least 18 years old to buy this subscription (Meta Verified eligibility rules). You also need a prior posting history on your account. A brand new empty account will get rejected.
| Subscription Method | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram iOS App | Rs 699 | Rs 8,388 |
| Instagram Android App | Rs 699 | Rs 8,388 |
| Web Browser | Rs 599 | Rs 7,188 |
How to Subscribe to Meta Verified
The subscription process takes about ten minutes to complete.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone.
- Go to Settings and privacy.
- Tap Accounts Centre.
- Select Meta Verified.
- Choose your Instagram profile.
- Set up your payment method.
- Upload a clear photo of your government ID.
- Wait up to 48 hours for the review process.
Legacy Verification: The Free Route
Legacy verification is the original way to get a blue tick. It costs nothing. It is meant for public figures, celebrities, and established brands.
Notability Requirements
You need to show an authentic presence and prove you are highly searched (Instagram Help Centre: Verified badges). You cannot just be popular on Instagram. People must be typing your name into Google Search independently.
Instagram requires three to five news articles about you in major publications. Paid PR articles, advertorials, or sponsored posts do not count towards notability. Press releases pushed through news wires do not count. Mentions in small local blogs do not count. You need real editorial coverage in national newspapers or major digital outlets.
How to Apply for Free Verification
You must submit your application directly through the app.
- Open your Instagram profile and tap the three lines in the top right.
- Go to Settings and privacy.
- Select Account type and tools.
- Tap Request verification.
- Enter your full legal name.
- Upload your government ID or official business documents.
- Add links to the news articles about you.
- Submit the form and wait up to 30 days for a response.
Accepted Indian ID Documents and Setup Rules
Your profile name and photo must exactly match the government ID you submit. If your ID says "Rahul Sharma" and your profile says "Rahul The Creator", your application will fail. Your profile picture must show your face clearly. It must match the photo on your ID.
Instagram accepts an Indian Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence. Aadhaar cards are accepted but often get rejected. The photo on an Aadhaar card is usually outdated, small, or blurry. A PAN card or Passport works best for a fast approval. Take the photo of your ID in a well-lit room on a flat surface to avoid glare.
You must turn on two-factor authentication before you submit your application. This secures your account against hacking. Changing your profile name or photo after verification will remove the blue tick. You will have to go through the verification process again if you update those details.
Tax and Brand Deals: Does the Blue Tick Pay Off?
Many creators wonder if a blue tick brings more brand deals. Brands do not pay higher rates just because you have a blue tick. Your engagement rate, niche, and content quality decide your fee. You can check typical rates on a brand deal rate calculator or read what to charge for an Instagram reel in India.
The badge helps mostly with cold outreach. It proves you are a real person to a brand manager who has never heard of you. It also stops fake accounts from scamming your followers with crypto links. Impersonation protection is the main benefit of Meta Verified.
Full-time creators can claim the Meta Verified subscription as a business expense. You record this under Section 37 of the Income-tax Act as a software or marketing cost. You need to be filing taxes under profits and gains of business or profession to claim this deduction. The Rs 8,388 annual cost reduces your taxable income for the year.
Why Your Verification Failed and What to Do Next
Your verification request can fail for several reasons. If the Meta Verified option is missing entirely, your account might be set as a business account instead of a creator account. Switch to a creator profile to see the option in your Accounts Centre.
If your legacy request is rejected, you must wait 30 days before applying again. Do not apply immediately. The system will auto-reject duplicate requests. Use those 30 days to secure real press coverage in recognised media outlets.
Never pay a third-party agency that claims they have an inside contact at Meta. These are always scams. Buying verification through unofficial channels will get your account banned. You must use the official Account Centre or the in-app request form.
FAQs
How much does Instagram blue tick cost in India?
It costs Rs 699 per month if you buy it on the mobile app. It costs Rs 599 per month if you subscribe through a web browser.
Can a normal person get verified on Instagram?
Yes. Anyone over 18 with a valid government ID can buy Meta Verified. You do not need to be famous or have press coverage for the paid route.
Instagram blue tick ke liye kitne followers chahiye?
You need zero followers to apply for either verification method. Instagram looks at your ID or your press coverage instead of your follower count.
What documents are needed for Instagram verification?
You need a valid government ID. A PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence works best.
Why is my Meta Verified option not showing?
You might be using a business account. You might also lack the minimum account activity required by Instagram to qualify for the subscription.
The short version
- You can buy a blue tick via Meta Verified or apply for free legacy verification.
- Meta Verified costs Rs 699 per month on mobile and Rs 599 per month on web.
- Free legacy verification requires three to five unpaid news articles in major publications.
- You need a PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence to verify your identity.
- Full-time creators can claim the subscription cost as a business expense for tax purposes.
Sources
Researched and drafted by the Neroex research desk, an AI pipeline that checks each claim against live sources before it publishes, at Qubera Technologies Private Limited. Nothing here is tax or legal advice. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.