Several financial and regulatory changes take effect from February 1, 2026. These updates affect everyday areas such as taxes, investments, stock trading, and banking services. Whether you are a taxpayer, investor, or bank customer, these changes may influence how you manage money and financial transactions.
New GST rules issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs are now active. For certain products, GST valuation will be linked to the Retail Sale Price instead of the transaction value. This change mainly affects notified goods and may lead to higher tax outgo if retail prices are higher than invoice values.
Tobacco products such as cigarettes and pan masala now attract higher GST and compensation cess. For consumers, this could mean higher retail prices. For businesses dealing in these products, compliance costs and pricing strategies may need revision.
Changes to GSTR-3B filing also come into effect. With stronger validation checks and streamlined input tax credit reporting, businesses may see fewer manual errors but stricter scrutiny. Missing or incorrect data could lead to delays in claiming ITC.
With stock markets open on a Sunday, investors may expect normal mutual fund operations, but that is not entirely the case.
Most equity mutual funds will treat the day as a non-business day because banking systems remain closed. This means purchase and redemption requests may not be processed today.
Liquid and Overnight funds are exceptions and will continue to operate as usual, following their Sunday NAV structure.
ETF investors should be cautious. Limited banking access for market makers could cause ETFs to trade at prices significantly different from their actual NAV, increasing short-term risk.
The SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026 replace the older 1992 framework. For investors, this brings tighter supervision of large brokers, which could improve risk management and transparency.
Outdated rules related to physical share delivery and sub-brokers have been removed, reinforcing the fully digital nature of stock market transactions.
Banks are enforcing stricter controls under the Positive Pay System for high-value cheques. If cheque details are not confirmed in advance, payments may be delayed or rejected, helping reduce fraud but requiring more caution from customers.
Credit card users may also notice changes. Several major banks have revised reward points, spending thresholds, and lounge access eligibility from the current billing cycle, potentially reducing benefits for some users.
Read more: Upcoming IPOs Ahead of Union Budget 2026: SME Offerings to Take Centre Stage.
The financial changes effective from February 1, 2026 focus on tighter compliance, digital safeguards, and better risk control. Understanding these updates can help you avoid disruptions, make informed investment decisions, and manage everyday banking more smoothly.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Jan 27, 2026, 9:54 AM IST
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