5 Big changes in 2026: Pay commission to credit scores - what you need to know

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): 2026 is just a few hours away. At the beginning of each year, some new rules are implemented, directly affecting the lives of ordinary people. Some such rules are set to come into effect on January 1st.

The 8th Pay Commission will come into effect on January 1, 2026. The central government has already approved it. It will directly benefit approximately 5 million employees and approximately 6.9 million pensioners. The new Pay Commission could increase government employees' salaries by 20 to 35 percent.

Credit scores are also set to undergo a major change in the new year. Currently, credit scores are updated once a month, but from 2026, they will be updated weekly, or every 7 days. This will help ensure that you can pay your EMIs on time soon.

The central government has introduced a new system, the Kisan ID, for those benefiting from the PM Kisan Yojana. This system is being implemented in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, starting January 1, 2026. This digital ID will contain information about farmers' land, crops, Aadhaar, and bank details. Without this ID, the annual ₹6,000 benefit under the PM Kisan Yojana could be withheld.

In the new year, the prices of CNG used in vehicles and PNG used for cooking in homes may decrease by 2-3 rupees per unit. This is due to tariff adjustments announced by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) that will take effect from January 1, 2026.

Apart from this, there may be a change in the prices of LPG gas and aviation fuel on the occasion of New Year.

The deadline for linking your PAN with Aadhaar is December 31, 2025. If you haven't linked your PAN with Aadhaar yet, your PAN card will become inactive from January 1. This could lead to difficulties in filing income taxes and conducting large bank transactions.