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Just like every other month, several regulations impacting the common man's finances have changed on the first day of this month as well. Effective May 1, 2026, the prices of both commercial gas cylinders and the smaller 'Chhotu' cylinders have increased across the country. Additionally, there have been changes to the rules governing LPG delivery. Let us explain in detail the key changes taking effect today—May 1st—that are likely to impact your financial well-being.

**Here are the Major Changes:**

**OTP Mandatory for Gas Delivery:** A new rule has now been implemented for receiving gas cylinders. You will receive an OTP (One-Time Password) on your mobile phone at the time of delivery. You will not receive the cylinder until you show this OTP to the delivery personnel. This measure aims to prevent theft and erroneous deliveries.

**LPG Cylinders Become More Expensive:** Inflation has surged right at the beginning of the month. The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been hiked by approximately ₹993. However, the prices of the 14.2-kg cylinders used for domestic purposes have not yet increased. Nevertheless, since gas has become more expensive for hotels and restaurants, dining out may become costlier.

**ATM Withdrawal Rules Revised:** The regulations governing ATM usage have now become stricter. You will be entitled to a limited number of free transactions per month (e.g., 5 transactions). Thereafter, a fee of ₹23 will be charged for every subsequent cash withdrawal. Furthermore, if a transaction fails due to insufficient funds, a penalty of approximately ₹25 will be levied.

**Enhanced Security for UPI Payments:** Making payments via UPI is set to become even more secure. Simply entering your PIN will no longer suffice; you may now be required to undergo an additional verification step, such as biometric authentication. This measure is expected to help curb online fraud.

**Duty Fixed on Jet Fuel (ATF):** The government has imposed an export duty of ₹33 per liter on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). On a positive note, the prices of ATF for domestic flights have not been increased, which means airfares are likely to remain stable for the time being.

**New Rules for Online Gaming:** Strict regulations have now come into force for the online gaming sector. Games have been categorized into three distinct segments: Money Games, Social Games, and Esports. Registration will be mandatory for games involving monetary stakes, and they will be subject to strict scrutiny.

Reduced Credit Card Benefits: Effective today, several banks have revised their credit card regulations. Consequently, the reward points earned on payments such as electricity bills or rent will be reduced, or in some instances, users may be required to pay additional charges.

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