From LPG to bank interest to traffic fines, several rules change October 1

As the month changes, several rules affecting the common man's pocket will also change. From LPG gas to banking and traffic challans, a number of changes take effect from October 1, with a direct impact on everyday life and expenses.

Customers who receive subsidised LPG cylinders and have not yet completed biometric Aadhaar authentication should get it done before October 1. Failing to do so will not disconnect the gas connection or stop cylinder delivery, but the subsidy benefit will be paused and refills will have to be booked at market price. The authentication can be completed through the OMC's mobile app, at the distributor's showroom, or at the time of cylinder delivery.

As per RBI directions, from October 1 all banks must ensure that the same interest rate is given to all branches and customers for equal amounts deposited on the same date. All small finance banks will also have to update their FD interest rates on their website by 10 am every day, to maintain transparency and prevent discrimination between customers depositing equal amounts.

There is also a change for State Bank of India account holders. Charges for cash withdrawals from Basic Savings Bank Deposit accounts will change. From October 1, up to four cash withdrawals a month will be free; after that, each withdrawal will cost Rs 15 plus applicable GST.

Rules for registering birth and death certificates are also being tightened. Registration within 21 days of a birth or death will be considered normal and will be completely free, during which the certificate can be easily obtained from a hospital or local body such as a municipal corporation or panchayat. If there is a delay of more than 21 days, an affidavit will have to be submitted along with a late fee. Registration after one year but within two years will require approval from a competent executive magistrate, and if registration has still not been done after two years, approval will be required from a first class judicial magistrate.

There is also good news for NPS subscribers. A new scheme called "NPS Vatsalya Health" is set to launch soon, offering healthcare benefits along with retirement savings. Under it, members will get a separate super top-up health insurance policy linked to their NPS Health account. The scheme is expected to start from October 1, 2026, and could benefit around 2.17 crore NPS subscribers across the country.

Buyers of property from NRI sellers will also get relief. Under new income tax rules, resident individual buyers and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) will no longer need to obtain a TAN to buy property from NRI sellers. Instead, they will be able to deduct TDS using their PAN number and report it. This change takes effect from October 1, 2026.

Household electronics are set to get costlier this festive season. Major manufacturers of LED TVs, air conditioners and washing machines will raise prices by 5 to 8 percent from October 1, the third such hike this year. Companies are citing rising prices of products made from copper, steel and crude oil, as well as currency fluctuations linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The government has made a major announcement to curb the rise in air pollution in Delhi during winter. A strict campaign will begin from October 1, 2026, under which driving without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will attract a fine of Rs 10,000. This means that from October 1, transport department and traffic police teams will be deployed on Delhi's roads and at the Delhi-NCR border to check vehicles' PUC status. Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, not having a valid pollution certificate carries a fine of Rs 10,000 along with a provision of 3 to 6 months in jail, or both.

Rules for women's free bus travel in Delhi will also change from October 1, 2026. Women will now need to use the "Saheli Pink Smart Card" for free travel on DTC and cluster buses. The pink paper tickets used earlier will no longer be valid after September 30. From October 1, the card will have to be tapped on the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) while boarding the bus. Without the card, free travel will not be available and passengers will have to buy a ticket like everyone else.