Major Financial and Regulatory Changes Coming in 2026: What You Need to Know

As 2026 approaches, the government is preparing to introduce significant financial changes from January 1, 2026. Everyone must know in advance what these changes are about and why they being updated. The following are the changes:

1. Banking Rules Are Changing

• Your credit score will now be updated every week instead of once in 15 days.
• Loan interest rates are coming down in many big banks.
• New Fixed Deposit (FD) interest rates will start from 2026.

2. PAN-Aadhaar will face strict compliance.

• From January 2026, if your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, banks and government offices will start taking strict action.
• You may face service restrictions on banking and digital government services.

3. UPI and SIM Verification Tightened

• Banks will make UPI and online payments more secure to stop fraud and money scams.
• Extra safety checks may be added while making digital payments to protect users’ money.
• SIM verification rules will become stricter so fraudsters cannot misuse phone numbers.
• Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal will also follow tighter SIM checks.
• These steps are meant to reduce online fraud, fake accounts, and financial cheating.

4. Social Media Rules for Children

• The government is thinking about bringing in new rules to protect children under 16 years while using the internet and social media.
• Children may have to prove their age before creating or using certain online accounts as per the new rule.
• Parents may need to give permission or keep control over what their children can access online.
• These ideas are similar to rules already followed in countries like Malaysia and Australia.

5. Daily life changes for the public

• A new Income Tax Return (ITR) form may be introduced soon, with banking and spending details already filled in to make filing easier.
• LPG and commercial gas cylinder prices will be updated from January 1.

6. 8th Pay Commission

• The government is planning to start the 8th Pay Commission from 2026.
• This has been a major demand of central and state government employees.
• If the Pay Commission is approved, salaries may change.

7. DA and Minimum Wages

• Dearness Allowance (DA) is expected to increase from 2026.
• States such as Haryana may also revise their minimum wages for part-time and daily wage workers.

8. New Rules for Farmers

• In states such as Uttar Pradesh, farmers must have a unique farmer ID to receive PM-Kisan installment payments.
• Farmers will get compensation even if crops are damaged by wild animals. However, the farmer must report the loss within 72 hours.

9. International Travel Changes

• Few countries may bring new visa bans or stricter rules.
• Airlines may revise ticket prices or other charges due to new fuel costs and carbon rules.
• The EU’s carbon border tax will start, which may increase costs for Indian exporters and affect international business.