The beginning of every month brings some changes in financial rules or essential item pricing, directly impacting common citizens.  As October 2026–which is a month of festivity– rolls in after two days, key financial rule changes are about to go into effect. 

This includes updated ATM transaction limits and revised FD rules, new UPI MDR guidelines, LPG subsidy requirements, and NPS fee adjustments.  These updates could directly affect your monthly budget and daily expenses.  Let’s understand the breakdown of what is changing starting in October. 

1. Changes to FDs

According to Reserve Bank of India guidelines, starting October 1, all banks must post bulk fixed deposit (FD) interest rates online by 10:00 AM every working day, adhering to a strict RBI deadline of 10:10 AM. Under these updated guidelines, all FDs booked on the exact same date will share identical interest rates.

2. MDR on UPI Payments

A 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) takes effect on October 15 for certain person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. As per the government guidelines, this fee applies to merchants, not consumers. Meanwhile, small businesses continue to enjoy a complete pass with zero fees on UPI payments up to Rs 1 lakh. All person-to-person transactions will be free.  

3. Changes in SBI ATM Rules

If you have a salary account in State Bank of India, then you will not have a ten free cash withdrawals at other banks' ATMs, as it will be reduced to five per month starting October. If you exceed this limit and charges apply—not just for cash withdrawals, but for quick balance checks and mini statements too.

Meanwhile, unlimited free access at SBI ATMs will remain intact for salary account holders. Standard regular account ATM policies also stay unchanged.

4. New Rule on LPG Subsidy

Securing your LPG subsidy now requires mandatory Aadhaar biometric e-KYC starting October 1st. Without complete verification, subsidy payouts will halt. You can complete this e-KYC directly at home, through your gas agency, or with your delivery partner.

Miss the deadline, and you will lose access to subsidised 14.2 kg cylinders, leaving non-subsidised smaller options (like 5 kg or 10 kg) at full market price as your only choice. This enforcement aims directly at eliminating duplicate and fraudulent connections.

5. New Fees for Opening an NPS Account

Enrolling in the National Pension System (NPS) or NPS Lite gets a revised fee structure from October 1st. Joining through a Point of Presence (PoP) service provider will now incur a new onboarding charge of ₹200 per PRAN.