With the beginning of the New Year, several important rule changes have come into effect from January 1, bringing direct financial implications for the general public.
Among the most significant developments is the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission from January 1, 2026. The Union government had approved the decision earlier, which is expected to benefit nearly 50 lakh central government employees and around 69 lakh pensioners. Salaries are likely to see an increase ranging between 20 and 35 per cent.
Meanwhile, the government has raised the price of LPG cylinders by ?111, effective January 1, 2026. The hike applies only to 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders. Prices of domestic 14.2-kg LPG cylinders used for household cooking remain unchanged, offering relief to consumers.
In a relief on the fuel front, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has revised CNG and PNG prices from the New Year. CNG prices have been reduced by ?3, while PNG has become cheaper by ?0.70, though revised rates will vary across cities.
Another major change concerns credit score updates. From 2026 onwards, credit scores will be updated weekly instead of once a month, allowing timely EMI payments to reflect faster in credit profiles.
Additionally, the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar ended on December 31, 2025. PAN cards not linked by the deadline have become inactive from January 1, which may cause issues in filing income tax returns and conducting high-value banking transactions.
The Centre has also introduced a Farmer ID system for beneficiaries of the PM Kisan scheme. From January 1, 2026, the system is being implemented in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
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