Today is the last day of 2025, and tomorrow, Thursday, the new year (New Year 2026) will begin. There will be many big changes in the country on January 1, which can affect every household and every budget. These changes can alter your kitchen budget, and even buying a car will become more expensive. Apart from this, rules are being changed for everyone, from central government employees to PAN card holders. Let’s take a look at 10 such big changes.
First change – PAN card will become useless!
Today is the last chance to link your Aadhar card and PAN. The last date for this important task was December 31, and if you have not yet linked your PAN and Aadhaar, then drop everything and do it immediately. Otherwise, your PAN card may get deactivated from January 1, 2026, the first day of the New Year, which means it will become useless. A deactivated PAN can lead to many financial problems. Users will not be able to get ITR refunds, receipts, or banking benefits, and will also be deprived of the benefits of many government schemes. Note that this Aadhaar-PAN linking process is mandatory till December 31 for those cardholders whose PAN card was issued using their Aadhaar number before October 1, 2024.
Second change – LPG cylinder prices
Every month, on the first day, oil marketing companies change the prices of LPG gas cylinders, and from January 1, the prices may change again. While the prices of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders have fluctuated in recent times, there has been no change in the price of 14 kg domestic gas cylinders. Oil companies may release new LPG prices again on January 1, 2026, which will have a direct impact on your kitchen budget. LPG prices were cut in early December.
Third change – ATF to CNG-PNG prices
Along with the change in LPG prices, oil marketing companies also release revised prices of aviation fuel, i.e. Air Turbine Fuel (ATF Price) on the first day of the month. This has a direct impact on air travel fares. Apart from jet fuel, changes can also be seen in the prices of CNG and PNG from January 1.
Fourth change – new tax law
The new Income Tax Act 2025 will not be fully implemented from January 1, 2026, but the government will notify the new ITR (tax return) form and rules by January, which will be applicable from April 1, 2026 i.e. financial year 2026-27. It will replace the old tax law, Income-Tax Act, 1961. Under the new law, changes have been made to the process and definition of tax year, ITR forms will be simplified, and the system will be improved.
Fifth change – Implementation of 8th Pay Commission
Central government employees and pensioners are also eagerly waiting for the first day of the new year. It is expected that the government can implement the 8th Pay Commission from January 1, 2026. At present, the 7th Pay Commission is in force, and December 31 is its last day. Experts say that the new pay commission may be implemented on paper, however, employees and pensioners will have to wait to get the benefits of increased salary and pension. Under the 8th CPC, employees will get calculated salary and pension from January 1, 2026.
Sixth change: Buying a car will become expensive!
Those who are planning to buy a car from January 1, 2026, are going to be in for a shock. Many big automobile companies of the country are going to increase the prices of their vehicles. Nissan, BMW, JSW, MG Motors, Renault and Ather Energy have announced price hikes ranging from Rs 3,000 to 3 per cent. Apart from this, companies like Tata Motors and Honda have also indicated about increasing the prices.
Seventh change: Rules of PM Kisan Yojana
In the new year, farmers from states like Uttar Pradesh will now need a unique farmer ID to avail the benefits of PM Kisan Yojana. Additionally, changes have been made in the rules stating that under PM Kisan Fasal Bima Yojana, if damage caused to crops by wild animals is reported within 72 hours, it will now be covered.
Eighth change: Changes related to UPI, FD, loan and SIM card
Regarding other financial changes taking place from January 1, banks are going to further tighten the rules for UPI and digital payments. Apart from this, the rules for SIM verification will also be strict to prevent fraud. These steps are being taken to reduce financial fraud through apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal. Additionally, lower loan rates announced by SBI, PNB and HDFC Bank will be effective from January 1, 2026. New FD interest rates will also be applicable from January, which will have a direct impact on your investment.
Ninth change: Zero tariff exports to Australia
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday shared a big news on completion of 3 years of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. He announced through a post on social media platform Twitter (now X) that Australia will zero down all its tariff lines for Indian exports from January 1, 2026. This simply means that there will be no tariff on 100% of the goods exported from India to Australia from the 1st of the month.
10th change: Bumper bank holidays in January
A large number of bank holidays have been declared in the first month of 2026. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has uploaded the list of bank holidays on its website. Therefore, it is very important that you check this list before going out for any bank related work in the next month. You would not want to go to a bank branch and find it closed. According to the RBI bank holiday list, banks will remain closed for 16 days in January on different occasions, including Makar Sankranti and Republic Day. However, these holidays may vary from state to state. During these holidays, you can complete your transactions through Online Banking, which is available 24/7.