Several changes impacting the finances and daily lives of Indian consumers take effect starting September 1, 2025. These include revisions to LPG cylinder prices, changes to postal services, new rules for silver hallmarking, and adjustments to credit card reward programs.

LPG Price Adjustments

As is customary, oil marketing companies have announced new prices for LPG cylinders effective September 1, 2025. The price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been reduced by Rs 51.50, bringing the retail sale price in Delhi to Rs 1580. This offers some relief to commercial consumers, continuing a trend of price reductions since June. However, there is no change in the prices of 14.2 KG domestic cylinders. While domestic users could see price adjustments, businesses that use commercial cylinders must stay alert to these fluctuations.

End of Registered Post as Standalone Service

India Post is integrating its Registered Post service into the Speed Post ecosystem, effective September 1, 2025. While Registered Post will not be discontinued entirely, it will no longer be offered as a standalone service. Instead, its functionality will be incorporated into Speed Post, meaning customers can still opt for registration, just under a different banner. The Department of Posts aims to streamline operations, improve tracking mechanisms, and enhance service delivery through this merger. Speed Post will absorb all critical functionalities of Registered Post, including secure transmission, delivery to the addressee only, proof of delivery, and acknowledgement of receipt. With the merger, Registered Post customers will also enjoy premium Speed Post features, including end-to-end online tracking with instant updates, OTP-based secure delivery system, Cash on Delivery (COD) service, credit facilities for businesses and volume-based discounts.

Silver Hallmarking

The Indian government is taking steps to ensure the purity of silver ornaments by introducing hallmarking rules for silver jewelry, effective September 1, 2025. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced six recognized purity levels for silver: 900, 800, 835, 925, 970, and 990. Every hallmarked silver ornament will carry a 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, making it easier for customers to verify the authenticity and purity of their purchase. While hallmarking will not be mandatory initially, customers will have the option to buy hallmarked silver ornaments for assured purity. Experts believe silver buyers will also prefer certified jewelry, even though the rule is voluntary for now.

SBI Credit Card Changes

State Bank of India (SBI) credit card users will see revised terms and conditions starting September 1, 2025. A penalty of 2% will be imposed for failed auto-debit payments, and international transactions may attract additional charges. Reward points will no longer be given on certain transactions, including spending on digital gaming platforms, some merchants, and government-related transactions. These changes will affect Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card, Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card Select, and Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card Prime.

Other Key Changes

• ATM Withdrawal Charges: Several banks may implement revised norms on ATM usage, with customers exceeding the free withdrawal limit potentially facing steeper transaction charges.
• Fixed Deposit (FD) Rates: Fixed deposit interest rates, currently averaging between 6.5% and 7.5%, may be revised by banks in September. Market speculation suggests a possible downward revision.
• First Direct Savings Account Statements: First Direct customers will no longer receive paper savings account statements in the post from September 1. Savers will be switched to digital statements, ending the delivery of postal correspondence.
• Free Childcare in Wales: Eligible parents in Wales with children aged nine months to four years can avail of 30 hours of free childcare from the beginning of September.
• NatWest Bank Closures in Wales: Several NatWest bank branches in Wales are closing in September.
• CPP SBI Card Updates: From September 16, 2025, all Credit Card Protection Plan (CPP) SBI card customers will be automatically migrated to updated plan variants at the time of their policy renewal.
• Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing Deadline: The Income Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for financial year 2024–25 to September 15, 2025.
• Central Government Employees NPS to UPS: Central government employees have until September 30th to switch from NPS to UPS.
• GST Filing Rules: GST taxpayers must provide valid bank account details within 30 days of registration or when filing their first GSTR-1. Without this, they can't file outward supply returns (GSTR-1) starting September 1.