Major Changes From Today, October 2026: LPG, UPI, SBI ATM, AC Prices and RBI Rules

By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
Oct 01, 2026
263

The beginning of October has brought several changes that could affect household budgets, LPG consumers, bank customers, UPI merchants, air travellers and people planning to buy electronic appliances.

From commercial LPG prices and Aadhaar authentication for subsidised LPG to changes in UPI merchant payments, SBI ATM limits, appliance prices and the RBI's monetary policy, consumers and businesses have several developments to keep track of this month.

Here is a detailed look at the major October 2026 changes and how they could affect ordinary consumers.

1. Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Increased From October 1

Commercial LPG users are facing a higher cooking-gas bill from the beginning of October.

The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by different amounts across cities, with the rise reaching as much as ₹71.50. In Delhi, for example, the price has gone up by ₹62.50 to ₹2,810, while Mumbai and Chennai have also seen higher rates.

The increase is particularly relevant for restaurants, hotels, food businesses, caterers and other establishments that rely on commercial LPG.

Higher fuel expenses could add to their operating costs. Businesses may decide to absorb the additional expense or pass some of it on to customers through food, beverage and catering prices.

Importantly, the October 1 increase in commercial LPG does not mean that the domestic 14.2-kg household cylinder has received the same price increase.

2. Aadhaar Biometric Verification Required for Subsidised LPG

One of the most important changes for domestic LPG consumers concerns Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA).

From October 1, 2026, consumers need to have completed biometric Aadhaar authentication to book domestic LPG refills at the regulated retail selling price with the applicable subsidy. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said consumers who have already completed authentication do not need to repeat the process.

The government has clarified that the measure is intended to ensure that subsidised LPG reaches eligible consumers and to reduce duplicate or ineligible connections.

Consumers can complete authentication through several channels, including during LPG delivery, at their distributor's showroom or through the relevant oil marketing company's mobile application.

Will LPG supply stop without biometric verification?

No. The official clarification is important: failure or unwillingness to complete BAA does not mean that a genuine consumer will be denied LPG altogether. The subsidy-linked benefit is enabled after authentication is completed, subject to applicable conditions.

3. New UPI Merchant Charge Framework From October 15

UPI payments are also seeing a major change this month.

From October 15, 2026, a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework will apply to specified person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000.

The change is aimed at the merchant-payment ecosystem and does not mean that ordinary customers will be charged a separate fee simply for making a UPI payment. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free regardless of transaction value.

Payments up to ₹2,000 and transactions covered under the zero-MDR framework will continue to remain free.

The actual impact on a merchant will depend on factors such as the nature and category of the business. Reports indicate that the majority of P2M transactions will remain unaffected by the new framework.

4. Air Travel Costs Could Face Pressure as ATF Gets Costlier

Aviation turbine fuel, or ATF, is one of the biggest operating expenses for airlines.

The increase in aviation fuel prices can put additional pressure on airline finances because fuel costs represent a substantial portion of an airline's operating expenditure.

If higher fuel costs persist, airlines may reassess fares on certain routes. This could be particularly relevant during the festive period, when demand for domestic air travel traditionally becomes stronger.

For passengers, the key point is that higher aviation fuel costs can create upward pressure on airfares, although the final ticket price also depends on demand, route competition, taxes, airline pricing strategy and other operating costs.

5. ACs, TVs, Refrigerators and Washing Machines May Become More Expensive

Consumers planning festive purchases of large appliances may have to account for higher prices.

Several consumer-electronics and appliance manufacturers are raising prices from October. Industry reports indicate that air-conditioners could become around 5% to 8% more expensive, while some televisions, refrigerators and washing machines could see increases of roughly 3% to 4%.

Manufacturers have cited higher input costs, including increases in copper, aluminium, steel and crude-oil derivatives, along with freight expenses and currency fluctuations.

This could make October and Diwali shopping more expensive for consumers planning to purchase an AC, television, refrigerator or washing machine.

However, the price increase may not immediately appear at every retail outlet. Dealers that purchased inventory at earlier prices may continue selling some products at the previous rates until those stocks are exhausted.

6. RBI Repo Rate Decision in October

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet from October 5 to October 7, 2026.

The repo-rate decision is expected on October 7.

The repo rate currently stands at 5.25%, following the August policy review.

A change in the repo rate can influence borrowing costs across the banking system. If lending rates rise, borrowers with floating-rate loans could see higher EMIs. If rates move lower, borrowing costs may ease, depending on how banks transmit the change to customers.

For home-loan, vehicle-loan and personal-loan borrowers, the October RBI decision is therefore an important development to watch.

7. SBI Salary Account Holders Get Fewer Free Transactions at Other Bank ATMs

State Bank of India has revised the free transaction limit for salary package account holders using SBI debit cards at other banks' ATMs and Automated Deposit-cum-Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs).

From October 1, 2026, the number of free transactions at other-bank ATMs has been reduced from 10 to five per month across SBI salary package account variants.

The limit covers both financial and non-financial transactions, meaning customers should keep track of ATM usage even when they are simply checking their balance.

After the applicable free limit is exhausted, charges can apply. For relevant SBI account categories, the reported charge is ₹15 plus GST per transaction.

October 2026 Changes: What Consumers Should Remember

The changes taking effect this month cover several everyday areas of personal finance and household spending.

LPG users should check their biometric Aadhaar authentication status if they receive a subsidy. UPI merchants should understand the new MDR framework before October 15. SBI salary-account customers using other-bank ATMs should remember the revised five-transaction limit. Meanwhile, consumers planning to purchase appliances should compare prices carefully because manufacturers are revising rates during the festive shopping season.

At the same time, borrowers and financial-market participants will be watching the RBI's October monetary-policy decision for its possible implications for loan costs and EMIs.

With several changes arriving in the same month, October 2026 could have a noticeable impact on household expenses, business costs and everyday financial transactions.

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