Mumbai/New Delhi: While you were celebrating the New Year, several banks and the Indian Railways quietly updated their service rules.
Starting today, January 1, 2026, the way you book Tatkal tickets and use your premium Credit Cards for airport lounges has changed. If you travel frequently or use HDFC/SBI cards, here are the 4 Critical Updates you need to know to avoid a shock at the counter.
1. IRCTC: New Booking Window for Aadhaar Users
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tweaked its online booking rules to favor verified users.
- The Change: From today, the “Extended Booking Window” (8:00 AM to Midnight) for General tickets is strictly reserved for users whose Aadhaar is linked to their IRCTC ID.
- Impact: If your account is not Aadhaar-verified, you might face restrictions or slower login queues during the peak Tatkal hours (10 AM/11 AM).
- Action: Check your profile verification status on the IRCTC app today to ensure smooth booking for upcoming holidays.
2. Credit Cards: Lounge Access Devalued (HDFC, SBI, ICICI)
The era of “free” airport food is shrinking. Major banks have enforced stricter “Spend-Based” criteria starting today.
- HDFC Bank: The new “Voucher Based” system for lounge access is now live. You will no longer get direct access by swiping your debit card. You must have spent ₹5,000+ in the previous calendar quarter to generate a lounge voucher.
- SBI Card: Similar rules apply to mid-range cards. The “Complimentary” access is now linked to a minimum annual or quarterly spend threshold (approx ₹20,000/quarter).
- ICICI Bank: Has increased the fee for Rent Payments and Utility Bill payments made via credit cards to 1.5% plus taxes.
3. ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ (BNPL) Reported to CIBIL
A major regulatory shift by RBI comes into full effect today.
- The Rule: All BNPL loans (like Amazon Pay Later, Flipkart Pay Later, Ola Postpaid) will now be strictly reported as Consumer Loans to credit bureaus like CIBIL.
- The Risk: If you miss a small payment of ₹500 on your Swiggy/Zomato BNPL account, your CIBIL Score will drop instantly, affecting your eligibility for Home Loans and Car Loans.
4. FASTag KYC: “Incomplete” Tags to be Blacklisted
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) deadline has passed.
- Status: If your FASTag KYC was “Incomplete” as of Dec 31, it is likely blacklisted effective this morning.
- Consequence: You will be charged double toll cash at highway plazas if your tag doesn’t scan active.
- Check: Login to your FASTag portal and ensure your status says “Active / KYC Done”.
FAQs
Log in to your IRCTC account -> Go to ‘My Account’ -> Select ‘Link Your Aadhaar’. You will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Yes, most super-premium cards (like HDFC Infinia or SBI Aurum) still offer unlimited international access. The new restrictions mainly affect Domestic Lounge access on Debit and mid-range Credit Cards.
Yes. It shows up as a “Personal Loan” on your credit report. Too many active BNPL accounts can make banks hesitant to give you a big loan.
Disclaimer
Rules are based on official notifications from HDFC Bank, SBI Card, and IRCTC effective January 1, 2026. Please check your bank’s specific email for your card type.
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