Starting 1 July 2025, several key changes in government regulations will directly impact common citizens’ daily lives and expenses. From railway ticket prices and PAN card rules to credit card bill payments and gas prices, these updates could either lighten or burden your wallet. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s changing:
Railway Fare Hike:
The Ministry of Railways is set to revise fares for both AC and non-AC classes in mail/express trains. From 1 July:
- Non-AC classes (sleeper, second seating) may see a hike of 1 paisa per kilometer.
- AC classes may face a hike of 2 paisa per kilometer.
- There will be no fare change for journeys under 500 km in second class or MST (monthly season tickets), but beyond that, an additional 0.5 paisa per kilometer will be charged.
Tighter Rules for Tatkal Ticket Booking:
- Tatkal tickets will now only be available to passengers with IRCTC accounts linked to Aadhaar.
- OTP verification will be mandatory using the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Authorized railway agents will be restricted from booking tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of availability.
PAN Card Rules Updated:
- From 1 July, Aadhaar will be mandatory for applying for a new PAN card, as per CBDT guidelines.
- Those who already possess both PAN and Aadhaar must link them by 31 December 2025, or risk deactivation.
New Credit Card Bill Payment Rule via BBPS:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for all credit card bill payments to be routed through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).
- This could impact third-party apps like BillDesk, PhonePe, Cred, unless they are BBPS-integrated.
- Currently, only 8 banks have implemented BBPS for credit card payments.
As these rules come into effect, consumers are advised to stay updated and make necessary adjustments to avoid disruption in services or extra charges.
