The month of July 2025 is set to bring significant financial and service-related changes for Indian consumers, especially affecting train travellers and bank customers. These key shifts, from Aadhaar-based Tatkal ticket booking to new banking fees, could impact your daily transactions and travel plans. Here are the big changes applicable from the month of July:
Aadhaar mandatory for online Tatkal bookings
Starting July 1, Indian Railways will make Aadhaar authentication compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets online via the IRCTC website and mobile app. Travellers will need to link and verify their Aadhaar with their IRCTC profile to be eligible. A stricter Aadhaar-based OTP verification will come into effect from July 15 for all Tatkal tickets booked online. Additionally, authorised agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window.Even Tatkal tickets booked at PRS counters and through agents will require OTP verification from mid-July.
Axis Bank revises ATM and account charges
Axis Bank will implement revised charges across savings, NRI, and Trust accounts starting July 1. Customers exceeding their free transaction limits at Axis and non-Axis ATMs will now be charged Rs 23 per transaction, up from Rs 21. This will apply to all financial transactions such as withdrawals and balance inquiries, beyond the free quota.
Small Savings changes
The government is set to announce the interest rates for small savings schemes, which will take effect during the quarter from July to September, reported ET.
ICICI Bank to roll out new service fees
ICICI Bank will also enforce a new set of service charges beginning July 1. According to ET, ATM users in metro cities will get three free transactions at non-ICICI ATMs, while non-metro customers will get five. Beyond these, Rs 23 will be charged for financial transactions and Rs 8.50 for non-financial ones. Other revisions include Rs 125 per international ATM withdrawal and updated fees for IMPS transfers. Cash transactions will be limited to three free branch/CRM uses a month, post which Rs 150 will be levied per transaction.With these sweeping changes across sectors, customers are advised to update their Aadhaar details, review their bank’s updated charges, and complete necessary activations to avoid disruptions.
