Starting July 1, 2025, a wide range of new rules will come into effect across sectors including rail transport, taxation, and banking. These changes are expected to affect millions of individuals and businesses across the country. From mandatory Aadhaar for PAN application, rail fare hike and revised Tatkal ticket booking rules, to updated credit card charges and a fuel ban on older vehicles in Delhi, these updates are part of broader efforts aimed at tightening compliance, enhancing digital processes, and improving public service delivery.
Here is a list of changes that are coming into effect from July 1.
Aadhaar mandatory for all new PAN applications
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified that Aadhaar verification will become compulsory for all new Permanent Account Number (PAN) applications starting July 1. Previously, applicants could use voter ID cards, birth certificates, or other basic ID documents to obtain a PAN card.
ITR filing deadline extended for FY 2024–25
In a relief to taxpayers, the CBDT has extended the due date for filing income tax returns for the Assessment Year 2025–26. The new deadline is now September 15, 2025, instead of the previous cut-off of July 31.
The extension provides individuals and businesses an additional 46 days to complete their filings without incurring penalties.
Credit Card Rules
SBI Card has announced that from July 15, it will withdraw complimentary air accident insurance from certain premium credit cards, including ELITE and PRIME variants. This means cardholders will no longer receive free air accident coverage that was previously bundled with these cards.
In addition, SBI Card will change the way the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) is calculated on monthly credit card bills. The new formula will include applicable GST, EMIs, processing fees, and other charges. This adjustment may result in higher minimum payments each month and may affect how interest is calculated on any unpaid balances.
HDFC Bank to introduce charges on high-value digital spends
Starting July 1, HDFC Bank will begin levying service fees on specific types of digital transactions. Customers using HDFC credit cards will be charged a 1% fee on:
Each of these transactions will have a maximum charge cap of ₹4,999.
In a separate update, HDFC Bank has also announced that credit card users can now earn up to 10,000 reward points per month on insurance premium payments. This enhancement offers regular card users a new opportunity to accumulate loyalty points.
ICICI Bank revises ATM, IMPS, and cash handling fees
ICICI Bank has notified customers about upcoming changes to charges on several banking services. These changes include:
Extra charges for ATM transactions that exceed the monthly free limit.
Revised IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) fees based on the transaction amount.
Higher charges for cash deposits and withdrawals at bank branches beyond free limits.
Customers are encouraged to review their individual account terms or check notifications from the bank to understand how the revised fee structure may affect their monthly transactions.
Axis Bank updates ATM fees
Axis Bank is increasing charges for ATM transactions beyond free monthly limits for savings, NRI, trust, Priority, and Burgundy account holders. For example, out-of-network ATM withdrawals will now cost Rs 23 per transaction
Delhi to enforce fuel ban for overaged vehicles using camera tech
In an effort to improve air quality, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi will begin enforcing a fuel ban on End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles from July 1. According to the new system, Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed at all 520 petrol and diesel stations in Delhi. These cameras will automatically capture the registration numbers of vehicles entering fuel stations and check them against the VAHAN database.
The system is capable of identifying vehicles that are marked “off-road” or those without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC). If such a vehicle is detected, the system will trigger an audio alert to inform the driver, and the vehicle will be denied fuel service. The setup is expected to improve compliance and support real-time enforcement of environmental regulations.
Railway fare hike
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will implement a marginal hike in passenger fares across select classes. According to the Railway Ministry, fares for non-AC classes in Mail and Express trains will increase by 1 paise per kilometer, while AC class fares will go up by 2 paise per kilometer. For example, a 500 km journey in second class will cost ₹5 more. Officials said the fare revision is intended to partially offset rising operational costs and improve service quality across the network.
Aadhaar must for Railway tatkal tickets booking
Indian Railways has announced that from July 1, only verified users will be able to book Tatkal train tickets through the IRCTC website and app. Verification will be carried out using Aadhaar or other government-issued identification documents linked via DigiLocker. In addition, the railways plan to roll out OTP-based authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings by the end of July. This added step is intended to boost security and prevent automated misuse of the limited Tatkal quota.
Railway waitlist charting to be prepared 8 hours before departure
At present, Indian Railways prepares reservation charts four hours before a train's departure, which gives waitlisted passengers limited time to make other travel arrangements. To address this, the railways will now finalise reservation charts eight hours before the scheduled departure time.
RBI extends call money market hours
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the interbank call money market trading window from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to 9 a.m.–7 p.m. IST, effective July 1. This enables banks to borrow and lend funds for an additional two hours each day.
GSTR‑3B returns become non‑editable
GSTN will lock GSTR‑3B once filed from July onward. Returns will be auto-populated using GSTR‑1/1A data and cannot be amended after submission.
Here is a list of changes that are coming into effect from July 1.
Aadhaar mandatory for all new PAN applications
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified that Aadhaar verification will become compulsory for all new Permanent Account Number (PAN) applications starting July 1. Previously, applicants could use voter ID cards, birth certificates, or other basic ID documents to obtain a PAN card.
ITR filing deadline extended for FY 2024–25
In a relief to taxpayers, the CBDT has extended the due date for filing income tax returns for the Assessment Year 2025–26. The new deadline is now September 15, 2025, instead of the previous cut-off of July 31.
The extension provides individuals and businesses an additional 46 days to complete their filings without incurring penalties.
Credit Card Rules
SBI Card has announced that from July 15, it will withdraw complimentary air accident insurance from certain premium credit cards, including ELITE and PRIME variants. This means cardholders will no longer receive free air accident coverage that was previously bundled with these cards.
In addition, SBI Card will change the way the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) is calculated on monthly credit card bills. The new formula will include applicable GST, EMIs, processing fees, and other charges. This adjustment may result in higher minimum payments each month and may affect how interest is calculated on any unpaid balances.
HDFC Bank to introduce charges on high-value digital spends
Starting July 1, HDFC Bank will begin levying service fees on specific types of digital transactions. Customers using HDFC credit cards will be charged a 1% fee on:
- Rent payments
- Wallet reloads above ₹10,000
- Utility bill payments exceeding ₹50,000
- Gaming transactions over ₹10,000
Each of these transactions will have a maximum charge cap of ₹4,999.
In a separate update, HDFC Bank has also announced that credit card users can now earn up to 10,000 reward points per month on insurance premium payments. This enhancement offers regular card users a new opportunity to accumulate loyalty points.
ICICI Bank revises ATM, IMPS, and cash handling fees
ICICI Bank has notified customers about upcoming changes to charges on several banking services. These changes include:
Extra charges for ATM transactions that exceed the monthly free limit.
Revised IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) fees based on the transaction amount.
Higher charges for cash deposits and withdrawals at bank branches beyond free limits.
Customers are encouraged to review their individual account terms or check notifications from the bank to understand how the revised fee structure may affect their monthly transactions.
Axis Bank updates ATM fees
Axis Bank is increasing charges for ATM transactions beyond free monthly limits for savings, NRI, trust, Priority, and Burgundy account holders. For example, out-of-network ATM withdrawals will now cost Rs 23 per transaction
Delhi to enforce fuel ban for overaged vehicles using camera tech
In an effort to improve air quality, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi will begin enforcing a fuel ban on End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles from July 1. According to the new system, Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed at all 520 petrol and diesel stations in Delhi. These cameras will automatically capture the registration numbers of vehicles entering fuel stations and check them against the VAHAN database.
The system is capable of identifying vehicles that are marked “off-road” or those without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC). If such a vehicle is detected, the system will trigger an audio alert to inform the driver, and the vehicle will be denied fuel service. The setup is expected to improve compliance and support real-time enforcement of environmental regulations.
Railway fare hike
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will implement a marginal hike in passenger fares across select classes. According to the Railway Ministry, fares for non-AC classes in Mail and Express trains will increase by 1 paise per kilometer, while AC class fares will go up by 2 paise per kilometer. For example, a 500 km journey in second class will cost ₹5 more. Officials said the fare revision is intended to partially offset rising operational costs and improve service quality across the network.
Aadhaar must for Railway tatkal tickets booking
Indian Railways has announced that from July 1, only verified users will be able to book Tatkal train tickets through the IRCTC website and app. Verification will be carried out using Aadhaar or other government-issued identification documents linked via DigiLocker. In addition, the railways plan to roll out OTP-based authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings by the end of July. This added step is intended to boost security and prevent automated misuse of the limited Tatkal quota.
Railway waitlist charting to be prepared 8 hours before departure
At present, Indian Railways prepares reservation charts four hours before a train's departure, which gives waitlisted passengers limited time to make other travel arrangements. To address this, the railways will now finalise reservation charts eight hours before the scheduled departure time.
RBI extends call money market hours
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the interbank call money market trading window from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to 9 a.m.–7 p.m. IST, effective July 1. This enables banks to borrow and lend funds for an additional two hours each day.
GSTR‑3B returns become non‑editable
GSTN will lock GSTR‑3B once filed from July onward. Returns will be auto-populated using GSTR‑1/1A data and cannot be amended after submission.
You may also like
'Bharat Mata' image row between Kerala Guv, Vijayan govt escalates
Brit tourist disappears on Greek holiday island as rental car found abandoned
Applying for job? Your next interviewer might be AI. What to expect to get hired
Lawmakers' summit a significant initiative to strengthen democratic institutions: Himachal CM
Refugee Turns 25, DYK Abhishek & Kareena Were Locked Inside Projector Room During Screening?
