Higher UPI 123Pay limit, pension from any branch, old train numbers: New Year to ring in a slew of changes

The year 2025 will ring in a slew of changes, affecting public life. Some of the changes are as below:

Mobile towers despite opposition
From January 1, telecom companies can install mobile towers on private properties or draw cables even if the owner objects to them. If the installation of the tower or drawing cables is in the public interest, the companies may do so with the permission of the district collector concerned.

However, telcos must apply to the property owner. If the owner denies permission, the district collector can overrule it and allow the firms to proceed with their plan.

No waiting for credit score
Currently, financial institutions, including banks, share individual loan details with Credit Information Companies (CICs) once a month. From January 1, however, financial institutions should provide the details every fortnight. It means the credit scores would be updated twice a month. Those who had repaid the loan need not wait for a month to get their new score.

Increased collateral-free farm loan
Collateral-free agricultural loans up to Rs 2 lakh will be available from January 1. The Reserve Bank of India has raised the collateral-free loan ceiling to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 1.6 lakh.

Raised UPI 123Pay limit
The extended transaction limit of Rs 10,000 on the UPI 123Pay digital payment system will come into force January 1. The system allows users to make transactions on feature phones without an internet connection or smartphone. Currently, the limit is Rs 5,000.

Pensions
Pensioners under the Employees' Pension Scheme (ECPS) can access their pensions from any bank, any branch across India from January 1. Pensioners shifting residence to a new place need not submit their pension payment order to the PF office at the new location. They are also not required to shift their pension account to a new bank or branch. The mandate that the pensioner should receive the first pension from the bank, too, has been scrapped.

US visa
The US Embassy in India will allow non-immigrant visa applicants in the country to reschedule their appointments once without any additional fee from January 1. However, the applicant must pay for rescheduling appointments more than once. Non-immigrant visas are issued to those visiting the US for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or education.

No WhatsApp on older phones
WhatsApp will not be available on Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4 Mini, Sony Xperia, LG Optimus G, Nexus 4, etc, from January 1.

Augmented security on GST portal
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be implemented in a phased manner for transactions on the GST portal from January 1. Besides the set password, an OTP received on the phone, too, would be required to undertake the transactions.

MFA will be applicable for businesses with a turnover of more than Rs 20 crore from January 1. Businesses with turnover of over Rs 5 crore will have the enhanced security feature from February 1 and all others will get them from April 1.

Cars to cost more
Cars will cost three to five per cent more from January 1. Major carmakers such as Hyundai India, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Toyota, MG Motors, Nissan Motor India, and German luxury vehicle manufactures Mercedez-Benz, BMW and Audi have already announced a price hike.

Changing PSC interview date
Job aspirants attending interviews for posting to various posts through PSC should apply through the profile for changing the date of interview. Applications received via post or email will not be considered.

GST amnesty
The GST amnesty scheme that waives interest and penalties for non-fraudulent GST demands will end on December 31.

K-Smart panchayats
The K-Smart (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation) will be extended to three-tier panchayats. Its pilot project will be rolled out in the Thiruvananthapuram district January 1. K-Smart is now available only in corporations.

Trains to get old numbers
Trains under the Southern Railway will revert to their old numbers January 1. Trains were given new temporary numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RTOs to go smart
The Transport Commissioner has ordered all Road Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state to go smart. Middlemen will be avoided completely, and visiting hours will be between 10.15 am and 1.15 pm.