From July 1: EPFO Services Resume, Aadhaar Update Free, Passport Fees Rise

The government has announced several financial and administrative changes effective July 1, 2026, impacting EPFO subscribers, Aadhaar holders, passport applicants, and taxpayers. These changes, confirmed through official notifications, aim to streamline services and update fee structures.

EPFO online services restored after system upgrade
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has resumed all online services after a scheduled five-day system migration and database consolidation from June 26 to June 30. During this period, the member portal, employer portal, and other digital services were unavailable. The EPFO stated the upgrade enhances processing efficiency, security, and service delivery. Services were restored from 00:00 hours on July 1.

Aadhaar email update made free for six months
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived the fee for updating email addresses linked to Aadhaar numbers through the official mobile application. The waiver, effective from July 1 to December 31, 2026, was announced via a memorandum on June 19. Previously, users had to pay a fee for this service.

Passport application fees revised
The Ministry of External Affairs has implemented a revision in passport fees, the first major increase since 2012. The fee for a standard 36-page passport booklet has risen from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500, while the Tatkaal fee for the same booklet has increased to ₹5,000. Charges for 60-page passports, minor passports, and police clearance certificates have also been raised. The revised rates apply to passport services within India and overseas.

ITR filing deadline approaches
Individual taxpayers filing Income Tax Returns under ITR-1 (for salaried individuals with limited additional income) and ITR-2 (for those with capital gains, multiple properties, or income over ₹50 lakh) have until July 31, 2026, to submit returns without penalties. Tax experts advise completing the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.

LPG and PNG rule changes
According to reports, June 30 was set as the deadline for individuals with both LPG and PNG connections to switch entirely to PNG. However, no official notification has confirmed the discontinuation of LPG supply. Additionally, if a person relocates to an area without PNG services, they may reactivate their previously surrendered LPG connection. The rules remain under review.