PAN Card: New Rules from July 1 – Changes in Credit Card & Train Ticket Booking

New Rules from July 1: PAN Card, Tatkal Tickets & Credit Card Charges to Change

Aadhaar is mandatory for PAN card and Tatkal ticket booking
From July 1, Aadhaar is compulsory to apply for a new PAN card. Earlier, one could use documents like driving license or birth certificate. Now, without Aadhaar verification, new PAN applications won't be accepted. Existing PAN holders must link their Aadhaar by December 31, or their PAN may become inactive. Aadhaar is also mandatory for Tatkal train ticket booking. From July 15, all train tickets will need 2-factor authentication (OTP). Ticket prices may also increase slightly.

Income tax return deadline extended – Good news for taxpayers
The last date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) has been extended from July 31 to September 15. This gives employees and small business owners 46 extra days to file their returns without penalties.

Credit card charges revised by major banks
Top banks like SBI, HDFC, and ICICI are changing credit card rules:

SBI: Will stop offering air accident insurance on premium cards like Elite, Miles Elite. Also changing how minimum due is calculated.
HDFC: Will charge 1% transaction fee on rent payments or spending over ₹10,000 on online gaming. This fee also applies to digital wallet loads over ₹10,000.
ICICI: Revises ATM withdrawal charges. After 5 free transactions, ₹23 per withdrawal. Other bank ATMs allow only 3–5 free uses, then charges apply. International withdrawals will cost up to ₹125 + currency markup of 3.5%. Large cash deposits will attract ₹150 or 3.5 per ₹1,000 (whichever is higher).