Effective August 1, 2025, LPG cylinder prices have been revised. Oil marketing companies have reduced the price of the 19 kg commercial gas cylinder by ₹33.50. In Delhi, this cylinder is now available for ₹1,631.50. However, the price of the 14.2 kg domestic cylinder remains unchanged. This reduction provides some relief to hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and other businesses.
New Limits Implemented for UPI Users
To enhance the security of digital payments, NPCI has implemented new rules for UPI usage. Now, users can only check their balance a maximum of 50 times per day on third-party apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm. Additionally, information related to the mobile number linked to the bank on the UPI app can only be viewed up to 25 times a day. These rules are effective from August 1st.
Time Slots Defined for Autopay Transactions
From now on, auto-debit transactions, including mutual fund SIPs or OTT platform subscription fees, will be processed only during three specific time slots of the day. These slots are set before 10:00 AM, between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, and after 9:30 PM. This will reduce the load on the system and decrease the likelihood of transaction failures.
Potential Changes in CNG and PNG Prices
CNG and PNG prices are typically revised on the first of every month. However, there have been no changes since April. In Mumbai, the price of CNG on April 9th was recorded at ₹79.50 per kg and PNG at ₹49 per unit. An increase in these prices is possible in August, which would affect transportation and household expenses.
Aviation Fuel Prices Also Updated
On August 1st, the prices of ATF (aviation turbine fuel) were also reviewed. If there is an increase, air travel could become more expensive. However, there are reports of a slight reduction in prices this time, which may have a minor impact on air tickets.
Extended Break for Banking-Related Work in August
Banks will be closed for a total of 15 days in August 2025. This includes major festivals such as Independence Day, Janmashtami, and Ganesh Chaturthi, as well as Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. It is advisable to complete any necessary banking-related tasks in advance.
Major Setback for SBI Card Holders
Effective August 1st, the State Bank of India (SBI) has discontinued the free air accident insurance benefit on some of its co-branded credit cards. Previously, these cards offered free insurance coverage ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. This facility has now been discontinued for ELITE and PRIME cardholders issued through UCO Bank, Central Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, Allahabad Bank, and other partner banks.
RBI Meeting to Determine Interest Rates
The next meeting of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to take place between August 4th and 6th. During this meeting, a decision will be made on whether or not to change interest rates. Any changes in rates will directly impact the EMIs and savings of the general public.
Good News for Farmers: ₹2,000 to be Credited to Accounts
The 20th installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has been released on August 2nd. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is distributing the funds from Varanasi. Under this scheme, approximately ₹2,000 will be directly transferred to the accounts of around 9.3 crore farmers across the country. This money will be provided through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), which is a major relief for small and marginal farmers.
Impact on Digital Services and Payments
Due to the new UPI-related rules, those who conduct digital transactions will need to make some adjustments to their habits. Users who frequently check their balance or view bank details repeatedly will now need to exercise caution. Additionally, the fixed time slots for auto-debit transactions may reduce the problem of transaction failures.
Potential Impact on Financial Planning
The actual or potential changes in the prices of LPG, CNG, PNG, and ATF may affect the monthly budget planning of the general public. Furthermore, if essential transactions are not completed on time due to bank holidays, it could disrupt financial planning. Along with this, the discontinuation of insurance coverage related to credit cards may require cardholders to explore other options.
