India implemented a series of important changes on 1 February 2026 that will affect daily life, costs and administrative processes for citizens across the country. These updates cover toll payments, tobacco prices, fuel costs and more — many tied to broader fiscal and policy reforms introduced around Budget 2026. FASTag Rules Made Simpler The FASTag system, India’s electronic toll payment mechanism, has been simplified to reduce paperwork and delays. The Know Your Vehicle (KYV) verification requirement for new FASTag issues for private cars, jeeps and vans has been eliminated. Banks issuing FASTags will now complete all necessary vehicle checks before issuing the tag, and for existing FASTags KYV will only be required if there are complaints or misuse issues. This change is expected to make toll activation and travel smoother for millions of road users. Tobacco and Cigarette Prices Rise A key cost change from 1 February is that prices of cigarettes and other tobacco products have increased due to higher excise duties and health-related cesses imposed by the government. This covers items such as filtered and longer cigarettes, gutkha, jarda and pan masala with tobacco. The new charges are on top of the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST)… Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
