October 1 brings new rules for banks, IRCTC, NPS, and RBI cheque clearing

Starting today, Indian Railways will enforce stricter Aadhaar verification for general ticket bookings, India Post will raise Speed Post rates with OTP delivery verification, and RBI will begin phased continuous cheque clearing from October 4, 2025

Starting October 1, 2025, Indians will experience several significant changes affecting banking, pensions, railway bookings, postal services, and more. These updates aim to streamline processes, tighten regulations, and adjust pricing across various sectors.

Banking and pension updates

HDFC Bank has announced new eligibility criteria for its Imperia premium banking customers. Those who joined on or before June 30, 2025, must meet revised Total Relationship Value (TRV) requirements to retain their privileges. Meanwhile, Punjab National Bank (PNB) will increase charges for locker rentals and several banking services, including fees related to standing instruction failures and nomination updates.

YES Bank customers holding salary accounts should prepare for new fee structures starting October 1, with increased costs for cash transactions, ATM withdrawals, debit card use, and penalties for bounced checks.

In the pension sector, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is implementing revised fee structures for Central Recordkeeping Agencies managing the National Pension System (NPS). Non-government subscribers will gain enhanced flexibility, now allowed to invest up to 100% of their NPS funds in equities. Additionally, government employees must finalize their decision to switch between the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and the NPS by September 30, 2025, after which no transitions will be permitted.

Railway and postal service changes

The Indian Railways, via IRCTC, is introducing stricter Aadhaar-based verification for general ticket bookings to curb fraudulent reservations and ticket touting. This new rule will be enforced from October 1.

India Post will raise Speed Post rates while also rolling out an OTP-based delivery verification system, ensuring that parcels are handed over only after confirming the recipient’s identity.

Faster cheque clearing on the horizon

In a move to speed up payment settlements, the Reserve Bank of India will transition from batch-based cheque clearing to a continuous clearing process starting October 4, 2025. This shift will happen in two phases, with the full system expected to be operational by early January 2026.

These diverse changes highlight the ongoing efforts to improve financial services, enhance security, and optimize user experiences across India.