Major Changes from May 1: Commercial Cylinder Price Cut, Amul Milk Costlier, No Sleeper/AC Travel on Waiting Tickets

As the new month of May begins, several financial and policy changes have come into effect across India. These changes will directly impact consumers, from gas cylinder pricing to banking charges and railway ticket regulations. Here’s a look at the top 5 key changes effective from May 1, 2025:

1. Amul Milk Becomes Costlier by ₹2 per Litre

Following Mother Dairy and Verka, Amul has also increased the price of its milk by ₹2 per litre. The revised prices are applicable from today across all variants including Amul Standard, Amul Gold, Amul Buffalo Milk, Amul Slim & Trim, Amul Taza, Amul Chai Maza, and Amul Cow Milk.

2. ATM Withdrawal Charges Increased Post Free Limit

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an increase in ATM withdrawal charges. Customers will now have to pay ₹23 per transaction once the monthly free withdrawal limit is exhausted — up from the previous ₹21.

New ATM Transaction Rules:

• 5 free ATM transactions per month from the customer’s own bank.
  
• 3 free transactions in metro cities and 5 in non-metro cities from other bank ATMs.
  
• ₹23 per transaction post the free limit.
  
• Applicable to all savings account holders across India.
  

RBI stated the rise in costs is to help banks manage increasing operational and maintenance expenses for ATMs.

3. No Travel in Sleeper/AC Coaches on Waiting Tickets

Indian Railways has enforced a new rule: Passengers with waiting list tickets will no longer be allowed to board Sleeper or AC coaches. They must travel only in general coaches.

If caught violating this rule:

• Penalty for AC coach travel: ₹440
  
• Penalty for Sleeper coach travel: ₹250
  
• Additionally, the fare will be charged from the train’s origin station to the point of inspection.
  

This move is aimed at reducing overcrowding and ensuring better travel experiences for confirmed ticket holders.

Note: Tickets booked via IRCTC that remain unconfirmed will be auto-cancelled. From May 1, IRCTC will also mandate OTP-based mobile verification for every booking to prevent misuse of the platform.

4. Commercial LPG Cylinder Prices Reduced by ₹17

The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been reduced by ₹17 starting today.

Updated Cylinder Prices:

• Delhi: ₹1747 (down from ₹1762)
  
• Kolkata: ₹1851.50 (down from ₹1868.50)
  
• Mumbai: ₹1699.00 (down from ₹1713.50)
  
• Chennai: ₹1906.50 (unchanged)
  

However, there is no change in domestic LPG cylinder prices, which remain at ₹853 in Delhi and ₹852.50 in Mumbai.

5. Merger of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Begins

The fourth phase of RRB mergers has begun today under the “One State, One RRB” policy, aimed at improving banking services and reducing operational costs. A total of 26 RRBs across 10 states and 1 union territory have been merged into fewer entities.

Notable Mergers:

• Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank formed by merging MP Gramin Bank and Madhyanchal Gramin Bank.
  
• Maharashtra Gramin Bank created by merging Maharashtra Gramin and Vidarbha Konkan Gramin Banks.
  
• Gujarat Gramin Bank formed by merging Baroda Gujarat and Saurashtra Gramin Banks.
  

After this phase, the total number of RRBs in India is expected to reduce from 43 to 28. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will review the progress of this initiative on May 6.

No Change in Petrol and Diesel Prices

As of May 1, 2025, there has been no change in the prices of petrol and diesel.