October 2026 New Rules: 7 Changes From October 1 — Banking, Tax, LPG and More

October 2026 has brought several changes that can affect bank customers, LPG consumers, NPS subscribers, taxpayers and people making digital payments. Some changes started on October 1, while others, such as the new UPI merchant-payment framework, are scheduled to take effect later in the month.

Here is a clear breakdown of the major October 2026 rule changes, including what has changed and who needs to pay attention.

What are the major rule changes from October 1, 2026?

The key changes include revised SBI ATM limits, new bulk fixed-deposit disclosure rules, mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for subsidised LPG, changes to NPS charges and scheme classification, revised tax compliance for certain NRI property transactions, and a new UPI merchant-payment framework.

1. What changed in SBI ATM rules from October 1?

SBI Salary Package Account holders now have a lower number of free transactions when using their SBI debit cards at other banks' ATMs and Automated Deposit-cum-Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs).

The monthly free limit has been reduced from 10 transactions to five. The revised limit applies across SBI Salary Package Account variants and covers financial as well as non-financial transactions at other-bank ATMs. The Economic Times

This does not mean that every SBI customer suddenly gets only five ATM transactions. The change specifically concerns the applicable Salary Package accounts and transactions at other banks' ATMs.

Customers who regularly withdraw cash from other-bank ATMs may therefore want to keep track of their monthly usage.

2. What are the new FD rules from October 1, 2026?

The Reserve Bank of India's revised rules change how banks disclose interest rates for bulk deposits.

For bulk deposits, banks are required to disclose applicable interest rates on their websites on each business day. The revised framework requires the rates to be published by 10:10 AM, with the rate information made available according to the bank's schedule. The rules also require consistency in applicable rates for bulk deposits across branches, subject to specified exceptions. The Economic Times

The bulk-deposit threshold for scheduled commercial banks is generally ₹3 crore and above, although different thresholds apply to some categories of banks. Reserve Bank of India

For ordinary retail FD customers, this does not mean that every FD suddenly gets a new interest rate. The major change is around the pricing and disclosure framework for bulk deposits.

3. What is the new LPG rule from October 1?

One of the most important consumer-facing changes concerns subsidised domestic LPG.

From October 1, domestic LPG consumers need to have completed Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) to book refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy. Consumers who have already completed the authentication do not need to repeat it. Press Information Bureau

The authentication can be completed through several routes, including during delivery, at the LPG distributor's showroom or through the relevant oil marketing company's mobile application.

The government said that 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9% of the total, had completed the authentication by September 19, 2026. Press Information Bureau

Consumers who do not want to complete the authentication can still receive LPG under the options specified by the government and oil marketing companies, but the applicable subsidy arrangement is different. Press Information Bureau

How can LPG consumers complete biometric authentication?

Depending on the oil marketing company, consumers can use:

1. The company's mobile application.
2. Their LPG distributor's showroom.
3. Authentication during cylinder delivery.

Consumers should use the official LPG company channels rather than sharing Aadhaar or banking details with unknown websites or individuals.

4. What changed in NPS from October 1?

The National Pension System has also seen changes affecting how schemes are presented and how new subscribers are onboarded.

PFRDA introduced a framework to standardise the classification and presentation of NPS schemes, including clearer information about equity exposure and investment characteristics. The changes are intended to make different schemes easier for subscribers to understand and compare. India Today

A ₹200 onboarding charge for subscribers registering through a Point of Presence has also been reported as part of the revised NPS structure. India Today

For existing NPS subscribers, the important point is to check whether their chosen scheme, category or applicable charges have changed rather than assuming that the new framework automatically changes their investment allocation.

5. What tax changes came into effect in October 2026?

One notable tax-compliance change from October 1 concerns property purchases from NRIs.

For certain resident individuals and HUFs purchasing immovable property from an NRI, the tax department has introduced a simplified PAN-based process that removes the earlier requirement for the buyer to obtain a TAN specifically for this purpose. The revised process uses Form 141, with additional transaction information to improve reporting. The Financial Express

This is particularly relevant to buyers involved in property transactions with non-resident sellers.

Separately, India's Income Tax Act, 2025 applies to Tax Year 2026–27 onwards. The Income Tax Department says the new Act replaced the Income Tax Act, 1961 from April 1, 2026, while transitional provisions continue for earlier matters. Income Tax Department

So, not every tax change being discussed in October is a brand-new October 1 tax. Some are part of the broader tax-law transition already underway during 2026.

6. Are UPI rules changing in October 2026?

Yes, but this is an important date distinction.

The new UPI merchant-payment framework is scheduled to apply from October 15, 2026, rather than October 1.

The reported framework introduces MDR for specified merchant transactions above ₹2,000. Importantly, this is a merchant-side payment-processing charge and does not mean customers will suddenly be charged a fee every time they make a UPI payment. Person-to-person UPI payments remain outside this merchant MDR framework. Moneycontrol

This distinction is important because headlines suggesting that "UPI payments will become paid" can be misleading.

For regular users paying friends, family members or merchants under the zero-MDR framework, the change does not simply create a universal UPI transaction fee.

7. What happened to LPG and fuel prices in October?

Alongside the LPG authentication rule, fuel prices have also seen changes at the beginning of October.

On October 1, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder increased by ₹62.50, according to reports, while domestic LPG pricing was reported as unchanged at that time. The Times of India

Commercial LPG is primarily relevant to restaurants, hotels, food businesses and other establishments using larger cylinders, so the impact is different from the biometric authentication requirement for domestic LPG consumers.

Fuel-related taxation also changed during the month. On October 1, the government reduced the export duty on diesel and aviation turbine fuel, while commercial LPG prices were increased. The Financial Express

What should customers do after these October 2026 changes?

Most people do not need to take action for every change listed above. The relevant step depends on the service they use.

If you are an SBI Salary Package customer: check your other-bank ATM usage after the five-transaction free limit.

If you have LPG subsidy: verify whether your biometric Aadhaar authentication is complete.

If you have an NPS account: review your scheme classification and applicable charges.

If you are making an NRI property purchase: check the revised TDS procedure and documentation before making payments.

If you are a business accepting UPI payments: check how the October 15 merchant-payment framework affects your payment provider.

If you have a large fixed deposit: check your bank's updated bulk-deposit rate disclosures.

Are all these changes effective from October 1?

No. This is one of the most important points to understand.

Several changes did start on October 1, including the SBI Salary Package ATM revision, bulk FD disclosure framework, LPG biometric authentication requirement and NPS-related changes.

However, some October financial developments have different effective dates. For example, the reported UPI merchant-payment framework is scheduled for October 15. The Economic Times

Therefore, consumers should check the effective date of an individual rule rather than assuming that every "October rule change" began on October 1.

FAQs

What are the major rule changes from October 1, 2026?

Major changes include SBI ATM transaction limits for certain salary accounts, revised bulk FD disclosure requirements, biometric Aadhaar authentication for subsidised LPG, NPS changes and revised tax-compliance procedures for certain NRI property transactions.

Is UPI becoming chargeable from October 1, 2026?

The reported new UPI merchant-payment framework is scheduled for October 15, not October 1. It concerns specified merchant transactions and does not mean that customers will automatically pay an MDR on every UPI transaction. Moneycontrol

Is LPG e-KYC mandatory from October 1?

Biometric Aadhaar Authentication is required for domestic LPG consumers seeking refills at the regulated retail price with applicable subsidy from October 1, 2026. Those who have already completed the authentication do not need to repeat it. Press Information Bureau

Did SBI reduce ATM transactions for everyone?

No. The October 1 revision specifically affects SBI Salary Package Account holders using SBI debit cards at other banks' ATMs/ADWMs. Their free monthly limit at other-bank machines has been reduced from 10 to five.