From October 1, 2025, several new financial and consumer-related rules have come into effect in India, directly impacting banking, investments, online ticket booking, and even postal services. These regulatory and policy changes aim to bring transparency, enhance convenience, and curb fraudulent practices—but they may also stretch monthly household budgets. Here’s a detailed look at what has changed from this month.
IRCTC Aadhaar-Based Ticket Booking System
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced a new Aadhaar verification rule for booking train tickets. For the first 15 minutes after the reservation window opens, only Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book tickets. The move is designed to curb black marketing and ensure genuine passengers have priority access to tickets during the peak booking window.
RBI Keeps Repo Rate Steady at 5.5%
In its latest monetary policy review, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to maintain the repo rate at 5.50%, with a neutral stance. Earlier in 2025, the central bank had reduced the rate by 100 basis points to support growth. However, with inflationary pressures still in play, the RBI has chosen to pause further rate cuts since August.
Banks Revise Charges and Customer Rules
Several banks have revised their charges and service rules, which may impact customers across categories:
- HDFC Bank: Imperia customers must now maintain a Total Relationship Value (TRV) of ₹1 crore or a quarterly balance of ₹15 lakh. For salaried customers, a minimum monthly salary credit of ₹3 lakh into the corporate account is required.
- YES Bank: Salary account holders will face new charges on RuPay debit cards, cheque bounces, ATM withdrawals, and low salary credits.
- Punjab National Bank (PNB): The bank has revised locker rentals and stop-payment charges across rural, semi-urban, and urban branches.
RBI Introduces Faster Cheque Clearing
From October 4, 2025, the RBI will implement continuous cheque clearing. This will replace the two-day waiting system, ensuring cheques are cleared within hours. Major banks like HDFC and ICICI are expected to roll out this real-time system soon, providing greater efficiency for individuals and businesses.
NPS Becomes More Flexible With 100% Equity Option
Non-government subscribers of the National Pension System (NPS) now have the option to allocate 100% of their contributions to equities. Additionally, under the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF), subscribers can select multiple investment schemes under one PAN, providing more control and diversification.
Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Hiked
From October 1, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased by ₹15.50. In Delhi, the cylinder will now cost ₹1,595.50. This change will primarily impact hotels, restaurants, and small businesses relying on commercial LPG.
Speed Post Becomes Costlier, Adds New Security Features
India Post has revised Speed Post tariffs. Sending documents outside the local area will now cost at least ₹47. In addition, an OTP-based delivery authentication system and real-time tracking have been introduced to enhance security and reliability.
Updated NPS Service Charges
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has revised service charges for NPS subscribers. An e-PRAN kit will now cost ₹18, while a physical PRAN card will be priced at ₹40. Transaction charges, however, have been waived to encourage more people to use digital services.
New Atal Pension Yojana Form Mandatory
A revised registration form has been made compulsory for new applicants under the Atal Pension Yojana. The old form will no longer be accepted. Applicants can download the updated version from the official post office website or obtain it from local branches.
These changes, effective from October 2025, highlight the government’s push towards digital transparency, efficiency, and customer-focused services. While some measures like faster cheque clearance and OTP-based Speed Post delivery are consumer-friendly, higher charges and revised bank rules may increase household financial pressure. Citizens are advised to review their banking, investment, and service usage patterns to adapt to these new rules.
