From EPFO to Passport: Key Rule Changes Coming on July 1, 2026
India will see several important regulatory and service changes from July 1, 2026, affecting EPFO, Aadhaar, passport fees, and more. The changes span from restored online services to new consumer protections and tax deadlines.
EPFO Online Services Restored
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will restore its online services from midnight on July 1, following a five-day system upgrade. The migration, which ran from June 26 to June 30, temporarily suspended online access. Users can resume regular digital transactions from July 1.
Free Aadhaar Email Updates
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived the ₹75 fee for updating email addresses linked to Aadhaar for a six-month period starting July 1. The free service is available via the Aadhaar mobile app until December 31, 2026.
Passport Fee Hike
The Ministry of External Affairs has increased passport application fees for the first time since 2012. Both normal and Tatkaal services inside and outside India will see higher charges. For example, a 36-page non-Tatkaal passport rises from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500, while a 60-page Tatkaal booklet goes from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000. Police clearance certificates now cost ₹750, up from ₹500.
New RBI Rules on Mis-sold Financial Products
Starting July 1, the Reserve Bank of India mandates that customers who are mis-sold financial products—such as mutual funds or insurance—by banks are eligible for a full refund and compensation for losses incurred. This rule aims to strengthen consumer protection in the financial sector.
ITR-1 and ITR-2 Filing Deadline
Individual taxpayers must file their income tax returns using ITR-1 or ITR-2 forms by July 31, 2026, to avoid late-filing penalties. ITR-1 applies to salaried employees with only bank interest as additional income, while ITR-2 is for those with capital gains, multiple properties, or annual income above ₹50 lakh.
