Srinagar, July 1: From July 1, 2025, a host of new regulations will take effect across key sectors such as railways, taxation, and banking—impacting millions of individuals and businesses nationwide. From mandatory Aadhaar for PAN applications and a rail fare hike, to revised Tatkal ticket rules, updated credit card charges, and a fuel ban on older vehicles in Delhi, these changes are part of a broader push to tighten compliance and advance digital processes.

PAN Card

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has mandated that Aadhaar verification is now required for all new Permanent Account Number (PAN) applications. Previously, applicants could use other identification documents like voter ID cards or birth certificates to obtain a PAN card.

Credit Card Rule Changes
Starting July 15, SBI Card will discontinue complimentary air accident insurance on select premium credit cards, including the ELITE and PRIME variants. Cardholders will no longer receive this benefit as part of their card package.

Additionally, SBI Card will revise the method used to calculate the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) on monthly statements, which could impact repayment structures for users.

From July 15, 2025, the MAD will be calculated thus: total GST + EMI amount + 100 percent of fees and charges + 100 percent of finance charges + 2 percent of outstanding dues (retail spends + cash advances) + any overlimit amount.

Until July 15, 2025, the MAD calculation is: total GST + EMI amount + 100 percent of fees and charges + the higher of either 5 percent of (finance charges + retail spends + cash advances) or 100 percent of finance charges + any overlimit amount.

Moreover, from july 1 HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank will also revise charges on select transactions, which could affect your spends.

HDFC Bank is revising charges on select credit card transactions. A 1 percent fee, capped at Rs 4,999 per transaction, will be applied to: rental transactions (1 percent of the transaction amount); online skill-based gaming expenditures above Rs 10,000 per month (1 percent of the total monthly spend); utility expenses (excluding insurance transactions) exceeding Rs 50,000 per month (1 percent of the total monthly spend).

ICICI Bank has revised several service charges, which will come into effect from July 1.

The bank has revised charges for ATM transactions. For ICICI Bank ATMs, the first five financial transactions each month will remain free, after which you’ll be charged Rs 23 per transaction; non-financial transactions will continue to be free.

Extra charges for ATM transactions that exceed the monthly free limit.
Revised IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) fees based on the transaction amount.
Higher charges for cash deposits and withdrawals at bank branches beyond free limits.

ITR deadline extended

CBDT has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the assessment year 2025-26 to September 15, from the original date of July 31. The extension implies that salaried individuals will get an additional 46 days to file returns.

However, you can initiate the process right away instead of waiting till September 15 to ensure that any glitches on the income tax portal due to heavy traffic closer to the due date does not affect you.

Railway Fare Hike from July 1
From July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will slightly increase passenger fares on certain train classes. Non-AC fares in Mail and Express trains will rise by 1 paise per kilometer, while AC class fares will go up by 2 paise per kilometer.

For instance, a 500 km journey in second class will now cost ₹5 more. The Railway Ministry says this minor hike is meant to help cover rising operating costs and improve services.

Aadhaar must for Railway tatkal tickets booking

Indian Railways has announced that from July 1, only verified users will be able to book Tatkal train tickets through the IRCTC website and app. Verification will be carried out using Aadhaar or other government-issued identification documents linked via DigiLocker.

Srinagar, July 1: In 2025, National Doctors’ Day will be observed on July 1. This day provides an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and commitment of doctors.

The tradition of National Doctors’ Day in India began on July 1, 1991, in honor of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a distinguished physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. Dr. Roy’s remarkable contributions to medical education and public health have left a lasting impact on the healthcare system in India. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) played a crucial role in establishing this observance to recognize the invaluable contributions of medical professionals nationwide.

This year’s theme, “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” prompts a deeper reflection on the lives of doctors—urging to see beyond their strength and devotion to the unseen toll of caregiving. While physicians consistently prioritize the health of others, their own well-being is often overlooked. It urges society to look beyond their roles as caregivers and acknowledge their need for empathy, support, and well-being.

According to some studies doctors/ physicians are at high risk for extreme exhaustion, suicidal tendencies and mental health issues; history of physical, psychological; sleep deprivation; relationship problems; academic distress; and major life changes, physicians are also subject to job-specific stressors

Doctors are faced with death, illness, and injury every day. This can make them desensitized to such experiences and less opposed to their own injury or death. According to research they may also become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of death, illness, and injury and feel powerless against it.

Such experiences can take a significant mental and emotional toll on doctors. The prevailing culture of “zero tolerance for mistakes” adds immense pressure, demanding constant vigilance that can be mentally exhausting. Studies have shown that medical errors, coupled with overwhelming workloads, are closely linked to suicidal thoughts among physicians.

It is important to acknowledgment that doctors, too, need care—emotional, psychological, and institutional. Creating safe, supportive environments where they feel seen, heard, and valued can make a profound difference. Additionally, limiting access to lethal means can help prevent impulsive breakdowns driven by the overwhelming pressures physicians face.

Hyderabad, July 1: The death toll in the explosion in a pharmaceutical unit at Pashamylaram near Hyderabad mounted to 36 on Tuesday.

With some of the injured succumbing at hospitals and rescue workers recovering more bodies from debris, the death toll rose sharply since Monday.

The toll in the worst industrial disaster in Telangana may go up further as the rescue workers continued searches for the bodies in the debris of a three-storey building which collapsed under the impact of the blast.

A massive explosion had rocked Sigachi Industries Limited’s pharmaceutical factory at Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district, about 50 km from Hyderabad, on Monday morning.

The explosion in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit also left more than 30 workers injured. The condition of some of them is stated to be critical.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue and police continued clearing debris.

The majority of the victims were migrant workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. As many as 108 workers were at the factory at the time of the blast, which could be heard about five km away. The explosion triggered a huge fire, and 15 fire engines were used to douse the flames.

According to eye-witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several metres away. So far, four deceased have been identified as Jaganmohan, Ram Singh, Shashibhushan Kumar and Laganjeet.

As the bodies of some victims were blown to pieces or charred beyond recognition, the authorities were conducting DNA tests to establish their identity.

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and Labour Minister G. Vivek visited the accident site again on Tuesday morning. Director General of Police Jitender and senior officials also visited the spot and supervised the rescue and relief operation.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will be visiting the accident site later in the day. He will also call on the injured at a government hospital. The state government appointed a high-powered committee to probe the disaster and its underlying causes.

The committee comprises the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health) and Additional DGP (Fire Services). According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the panel would also make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such accidents.