The new Income Tax Act, 2025, will replace the old Income Tax Act effective April 1, 2026, bringing significant changes to the Permanent Account Number (PAN) system in India. Among the key reforms, two-factor authentication will now be mandatory for all digital payment transactions.

Under the new regulations, Aadhaar alone will no longer suffice for obtaining a PAN card; applicants will need to provide additional documentation. Furthermore, the name on the PAN card must match the details on the Aadhaar card, ensuring a tighter linkage between identity and financial transactions.

Individuals applying for a personal PAN must use Form 93, while companies will use Form 94. Foreign individuals and entities will need to utilize Forms 95 and 96, respectively. These changes are part of a broader effort to enhance compliance and transparency in financial activities.

In terms of financial thresholds, PAN will only be required for banking transactions when total deposits or withdrawals exceed Rs 10 lakh in a financial year. For vehicle purchases, PAN is necessary only if the value exceeds Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, PAN will be mandatory at the start of every insurance policy, regardless of the premium amount, which is set at Rs 50,000 annually.

Moreover, the threshold for mandatory PAN disclosure in property transactions has increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. High-value spending at hotels, restaurants, or events will require PAN only when the bill exceeds Rs 1 lakh, streamlining the reporting process for consumers.

Rohit Mahajan commented, “These changes aim to streamline tracking of financial activities and strengthen the linkage between individuals and their transactions.” This marks a significant shift in how financial transactions will be monitored in India.

Historically, the Income Tax Act has governed financial regulations for over six decades, making this overhaul a pivotal moment for the Indian financial landscape. The revised rules are expected to improve compliance and transparency, addressing long-standing concerns about financial accountability.

As the implementation date approaches, observers are keen to see how these reforms will impact everyday financial activities and whether they will effectively enhance transparency in the system. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full scope of enforcement and compliance measures that will accompany these changes.

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In a significant development, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan held a review of the State Pragati Portal in Dehradun on April 1, 2023. This initiative aims to enhance oversight of all major State and Centrally sponsored schemes through a comprehensive digital platform.

Bardhan directed all departments to upload details of their major schemes onto the portal at the earliest, stating, “He directed all the departments to upload details of their major schemes on the platform at the earliest to facilitate comprehensive oversight.” This move is expected to streamline monitoring and improve service delivery.

The review also highlighted the urgency of fast-tracking pending reforms under the D-BRAP-2025 initiative, which encompasses 154 reform points that all states and union territories are required to implement. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of these reforms for enhancing citizen welfare and fostering a conducive business environment.

Atal Dulloo, a key official, underscored the significance of the reforms, stating, “The CS underscored the significance of these reforms in improving citizen welfare and fostering a conducive business environment across J&K.” He further noted that the pace of reforms must be sustained to achieve tangible outcomes without exception.

Additionally, a real-time monitoring dashboard for service delivery has been developed in line with the guidelines from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This dashboard is part of the broader strategy to transform governance through digitization, transparency, and time-bound service delivery.

As part of the ongoing changes, CS Garvita Gaba recently resigned from Shri Krishna Prasadam Limited, effective February 16, 2026, citing marriage and personal reasons. This resignation adds another layer of transition within the administrative framework.

The reforms outlined under D-BRAP-2025 are crucial as they aim to modernize governance and improve the overall business environment in the region. The CS has instructed all departments to ensure 100 percent implementation of the prescribed reforms.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific outcomes expected from these reforms, but the urgency conveyed by the Chief Secretary indicates a strong commitment to improving governance.

As the situation develops, stakeholders are keenly observing the implementation of these reforms and their impact on the state’s governance and business landscape.

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The Rajasthan High Court has made a significant ruling that impacts students seeking access to their evaluated answer sheets. The Court determined that the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) cannot impose additional processing charges for providing certified copies of answer sheets under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

This decision came in response to a case filed by Vipika, a B.Sc. Nursing student, who sought certified copies of her evaluated answer books. The University had demanded a total of ₹1225 for each answer book, which included a ₹1000 processing fee. The Court quashed this fee, emphasizing that the fee structure prescribed under the RTI Act must be adhered to by public authorities.

In its ruling, the Court referenced D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 13783/2021, Vipika vs Rajasthan University of Health Sciences & Anr., highlighting that additional processing charges are inconsistent with the statutory framework of the RTI Act. The Court pointed out that imposing such a high fee discourages students from seeking certified copies of their answer books, which is essential for transparency and accountability in educational institutions.

The Court also quashed the University’s guidelines dated September 6, 2012, and the Board of Management’s decision dated December 20, 2014, which had allowed for these additional charges. It reiterated that the fee payable for seeking information under the Act is already specified by the statutory rules, and public authorities cannot prescribe additional charges that contradict those rules.

According to the RTI Act, the application fee is set at ₹10, with a cost of ₹2 per page for copies of documents. Given that an answer book typically contains around 40 pages, the total cost for obtaining a certified copy should not exceed ₹90, excluding postal charges. The University had also demanded ₹145 for postal expenses, further inflating the total cost.

The Court’s ruling aligns with several Supreme Court decisions that recognize the right of examinees to access their evaluated answer sheets under the RTI Act. This landmark decision is expected to promote greater transparency in public authorities and ensure that students can exercise their rights without facing financial barriers.

As the implications of this ruling unfold, it remains to be seen how RUHS and other educational institutions will adjust their policies in compliance with the Court’s directives. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any immediate changes to the University’s fee structure following this ruling.

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The Rajasthan High Court has made a significant ruling regarding the processing fees imposed by universities under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The court determined that universities, including the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), cannot charge additional processing fees for providing certified copies of answer sheets.

This decision arose from a case involving Vipika, a B.Sc. Nursing student, who applied for certified copies of her evaluated answer books. RUHS had demanded a total of ₹1225 for each answer book, which included a ₹1000 processing fee. The court found this charge to be contrary to the provisions of the RTI Act.

In its ruling, the court emphasized that the fee structure outlined in the RTI Act must be adhered to by public authorities. The court quashed the university’s guidelines that imposed the ₹1000 processing fee, stating, “The fee payable for seeking information under the Act is already specified by the statutory rules and public authorities cannot prescribe additional charges that are inconsistent with those rules.”

The RTI Act aims to promote transparency and accountability in public authorities, ensuring that citizens can access information without undue financial burden. The court’s decision reinforces this principle, making it clear that the only fees that can be charged are those prescribed under the RTI Rules.

According to the RTI Act, the application fee is set at ₹10, with an additional cost of ₹2 per page for copies of documents. For an answer book containing approximately 40 pages, the total photocopy charges would amount to ₹80, plus ₹145 for postal charges, bringing the total to ₹235. This stark contrast to the ₹1225 initially demanded by RUHS highlights the potential financial barriers that could discourage students from seeking their rightful information.

The court also noted that imposing a processing fee of ₹1000 appeared to be an attempt to discourage students from seeking certified copies of their answer books. This ruling is expected to have a broader impact on how universities across Rajasthan handle RTI requests.

As this ruling sets a precedent, it is anticipated that other universities may need to reassess their fee structures to comply with the RTI Act. Further developments in this area are expected as institutions adapt to the court’s decision.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any immediate changes that universities will implement in response to this ruling, but the emphasis on transparency and accountability is likely to resonate throughout the educational landscape in Rajasthan.

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