Effective July 1st, several new regulations have come into effect, impacting the daily lives of citizens. These changes relate to travel expenses, identity verification, digital transactions, fuel policies, and vehicle purchases.
The Railway Ministry has revised train fares, increasing them for both AC and non-AC classes. Non-AC fares have increased by 1 paisa per kilometer, while AC fares have increased by 2 paisa per kilometer. For instance, a 500 km non-AC journey will cost Rs 5 more, and an AC journey will cost Rs 10 more. This measure has been implemented to address the increasing operational expenses of the railways.
To book Tatkal tickets, it is now mandatory to link your Aadhaar number to your IRCTC account. Aadhaar verification will be carried out via OTP during ticket booking. For the first 10 minutes of booking, only users with linked Aadhaar accounts will be allowed to book tickets. This initiative aims to prevent brokers and software bots and ensure that confirmed tickets are available to the public.
Aadhaar has become mandatory for new PAN card applications from July 1, 2025. The online process is straightforward, with digital e-PAN cards available in minutes for a fee. This change has been introduced to prevent tax evasion and strengthen identity confirmation.
To curb UPI transaction fraud, the real name of the recipient will now be displayed during payment, a change implemented across all UPI apps. This measure aims to prevent money from being transferred to incorrect accounts and increase security.
MG Motor India has increased the prices of all its models by up to 1.5%, citing rising production costs and higher raw material prices. This price hike follows a similar increase in January.
Commercial gas cylinder prices have been reduced, providing relief to businesses such as hotels and restaurants. The price of a 19 kg commercial gas cylinder has been reduced by Rs 58.50.
In Delhi, fuel will no longer be dispensed to end-of-life (EOL) vehicles. The Delhi government has implemented a plan, effective July 1st, to stop the use of old vehicles. Vehicles exceeding the stipulated age limit will be confiscated. ANPR cameras at all 520 petrol stations in the city will enforce this rule.