Many important financial and administrative changes have come into effect across the country from Wednesday, July 1, 2026. These changes will affect Employee Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers, Aadhaar holders, passport applicants and income tax payers. These changes have been confirmed through notifications and announcements issued by the relevant government authorities. Let us also give you detailed information about these changes.
EPFO’s online service resumes
Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has restarted its online services after completing the scheduled system migration and database consolidation work done between June 26 and June 30. During the five-day maintenance period, EPFO Member Portal, Employer Portal and many digital services were not available. The organization said that this upgrade was done to improve processing efficiency, security and service delivery. The service was to resume at 00:00 on 1 July.
Aadhaar email update free for six months
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived the fees charged for updating the email address linked to the Aadhaar number through the Aadhaar mobile application. This exemption, announced through an official memorandum issued on June 19, will be applicable from July 1 to December 31, 2026. Earlier, users had to pay a fee for this service.
Change in passport application fees
The Ministry of External Affairs has implemented changes in passport application fees from July 1, which is the first major increase in passport charges since 2012. Under the changed structure, the fee for a standard 36-page passport booklet has increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, while the Tatkal fee for the same booklet has increased to Rs 5,000. Charges for 60-page passport, minor passport and police clearance certificate have also been increased. The changed rates are applicable to passport services both in India and abroad.
Deadline to file ITR
Individual taxpayers filing income tax returns under ITR-1 and ITR-2 have time till July 31, 2026 to submit their returns without penalty. ITR-1 is generally for salaried individuals who have limited sources of additional income (such as interest from banks), while ITR-2 is for taxpayers who have capital gains, who own more than one house or whose annual income is more than Rs 50 lakh. Tax experts have advised taxpayers to complete the filing process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute problems.
Changes in LPG and PNG rules
For those who have both LPG and PNG connections, the deadline to completely switch to PNG was set for June 30. This rule may come into effect from July. However, no official announcement has been made yet regarding stopping of LPG supply. Additionally, if a person shifts to a place where PNG service is not available, they will be allowed to resume their previously surrendered LPG connection.
Mis-selling of financial products
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new framework to prevent mis-selling of financial products. Mis-selling means banks selling products like insurance, investments or loans to customers through misleading information or unfair sales practices. Under the new rules, which will come into effect from July 1, 2026, customers who suffer financial loss due to such activities will be entitled to a full refund or compensation. The move is aimed at improving accountability at the point of sale, especially in case of bundled products that are often sold along with the loan or at the time of opening an account, such as insurance add-ons or investment schemes, which were not clearly disclosed.
Changes in credit card rules
SBI Cards has changed the reward point structure for select PhonePe SBI credit cards. These changes will be specifically applicable to the PURPLE and SELECT BLACK variants of the PhonePe SBI Credit Card. In this, new limits for earning reward points have been implemented and the list of transaction categories on which reward points will no longer be available has also been increased.
On the other hand, HDFC Bank has changed the benefits of airport lounge access for certain credit card holders. From July 1, 2026, cardholders will be eligible for three free domestic lounge visits every quarter — but only if they have spent at least Rs 60,000 in the previous quarter. This will change lounge access from an automatic benefit to a cost-based benefit.
Small Saving Schemes
The Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs has confirmed that interest rates on small savings schemes for the July-September 2026 quarter will remain the same as the April-June 2026 quarter — the ninth consecutive quarter in which there has been no change in rates. This means that 7.1 percent interest will be available in PPF, 8.2 percent in SCSS and 8.2 percent in Sukanya. Also, you will get 7.7% return in NSC, 7.5% in KVP, 7.5% in POTD and 4% in savings account.
railway fine
The fine for carrying dangerous goods in trains has increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500. For serious violations, a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and even jail can be imposed. Selling goods in trains without a valid license will now attract a fine of Rs 2,000, and traveling in ladies coaches without permission can attract a fine of up to Rs 2,500.
VB Ji Ram Ji implemented
A new rural employment guarantee scheme, ‘Develop India – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025’, has been launched from July 1, which will increase the national average wage to Rs 327.4 per day. This Act guarantees work up to 125 days and sets a new interim base wage of Rs 300. In states where wages were previously low, there will be a significant increase, the aim of which is to strengthen rural livelihoods and create wealth.
lpg cylinder prices
The price of commercial gas cylinders has seen a decline for the first time in the year 2026. On July 1, the price of commercial gas cylinder has been reduced by Rs 183.50. After which the price of commercial gas cylinder in Delhi has come down to Rs 3000. According to ANI’s post, the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder has been reduced by Rs 183.50 from today. From today the price of 19 kg cylinder in Delhi will be Rs 2930. The price of 5 kg FTL cylinder has also been reduced by Rs 13 from today. The price of 5 kg FTL cylinder in Delhi will be Rs 808.50.
Petrol and diesel became cheaper
Nayara Energy, India’s largest private fuel retailer, on Wednesday cut petrol prices by Rs 5 per liter and diesel by Rs 3 per liter across its nationwide network. This is the first cut in retail fuel prices by a company in more than two years, which has happened due to easing tensions in West Asia and falling international oil prices. Global crude oil prices have declined as tensions in West Asia have eased and supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas have resumed following the reopening of a key sea route, reducing concerns about supply disruptions. Due to this, this price cut has been made.
