Several important financial and regulatory changes are set to come into effect from October 1, 2026. The changes will cover LPG subsidies, bank deposits and cash withdrawals, birth and death registrations, NPS benefits and property purchases from NRI sellers.
Here is a look at the key changes:
LPG subsidy: Aadhaar biometric authentication required
Customers receiving LPG subsidies who have not yet completed Aadhaar biometric authentication should do so before October 1. Failure to complete the process will not lead to disconnection of gas supply or stoppage of cylinder deliveries. However, customers will not receive the subsidy and will have to pay the market price for refills.
The authentication can be completed through oil marketing companies’ mobile apps, at LPG distributor showrooms or during cylinder delivery.
Changes in Fixed Deposit rules
As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directives, banks will have to offer uniform interest rates across their branches and to all customers for identical deposit amounts made on the same date.
Small Finance Banks will also be required to update their Fixed Deposit interest-rate lists on their official websites by 10 am every day. The move is aimed at improving transparency and ensuring that customers with similar deposits are treated uniformly.
SBI cash withdrawal charges
State Bank of India (SBI) is revising charges for cash withdrawals from Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts opened through its branches.
Under the revised rules, four cash withdrawals per month will remain free. After that, account holders will have to pay ₹15 plus applicable GST for every additional cash withdrawal.
Stricter rules for birth and death registration
The government is also introducing stricter procedures for delayed registration of births and deaths.
Registrations completed within 21 days of the event will remain free and can be obtained through hospitals or local authorities such as municipal corporations and panchayats.
For registrations delayed beyond 21 days, an affidavit and late fee will be required. If registration is done after one year but within two years, approval from a competent Executive Magistrate will be necessary. Registrations delayed beyond two years will require approval from a First Class Judicial Magistrate.
New NPS Swasthya scheme
A new scheme, NPS Swasthya, is scheduled to be launched on October 1, 2026, providing healthcare-related benefits along with retirement savings.
Under the scheme, subscribers will receive a separate super top-up health insurance policy linked to their NPS Swasthya account. The scheme is expected to benefit around 2.17 crore NPS subscribers across the country.
Easier property purchases from NRI sellers
Buying property from an NRI seller is also set to become simpler for certain buyers.
From October 1, 2026, resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) purchasing property from NRI sellers will not need to obtain a Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) for TDS compliance. They will instead be able to use their PAN to deduct and report the tax.
These changes are expected to affect household finances, banking transactions, tax compliance and other routine financial matters, making it important for consumers to understand the new rules before they take effect.