Key changes from May 1, 2026: LPG price hike, duty changes, online gaming rules and more take effect

Key changes from May 1, 2026: A series of regulatory and financial changes came into effect on Friday, May 1, 2026, impacting fuel prices, digital gaming regulations, and credit card fees, alongside revisions in LPG cylinder rates and government-notified excise duty structures.

Sharp hike in commercial LPG prices; domestic rates unchanged

State-run oil marketing companies—Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd — increased prices of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 993 across major cities.

In Delhi, the price rose from Rs 2,078.50 to Rs 3,071.50. In Mumbai, it increased from Rs 2,031 to Rs 3,024, while Kolkata will now see a price of Rs 3,205 per cylinder.

Despite the sharp increase in commercial LPG rates, domestic LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged, offering relief to households.

No change in petrol, diesel and ATF domestic prices

Oil marketing companies kept retail fuel prices unchanged in their monthly revision cycle. Petrol, diesel, and kerosene rates remain steady across the country.

Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) revised

A separate government notification revised export-related Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) and Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) on petroleum products for the fortnight starting May 1. However, officials confirmed that there is no change in excise duty rates for domestic consumption.

For exports, diesel attracts Rs 23 per litre and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) Rs 33 per litre, while petrol exports remain nil duty. Domestic aviation fuel prices remain unchanged, though minor international adjustments apply.

Online gaming rules 2026 come into force

In a major regulatory development, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 has come into effect from May 1, 2026, under the framework of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

The rules, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aim to regulate India’s fast-growing online gaming sector while prioritising user safety and responsible industry growth.

Key provisions include:

• Complete ban on online money games, including games involving stakes, chance, skill, or mixed formats
• Ban on advertisements and financial transactions linked to such platforms
• Strict penalties including imprisonment and fines for violations
• Establishment of the Online Gaming Authority of India as the central regulator

The Authority will oversee classification of games, compliance monitoring, grievance redressal, and coordination with financial institutions and enforcement agencies.

The framework also introduces:

• Mandatory age verification and parental controls
• Two-tier grievance redressal system with appeals up to the Secretary, MeitY
• Digital certification system for registered games
• Time-bound disposal of complaints and penalties

The government said the framework aims to balance innovation in gaming with safeguards against financial and social risks, while positioning India as a global hub for responsible digital gaming.

SBI credit card charges revised

State Bank of India has also made changes in certain credit card fees, effective from May 1, 2026. The late payment fees will be charged in between Rs 100 and Rs 500 based on the outstanding dues.

Furthermore, there have been changes in the annual fee exemption terms for the BPCL SBI Credit Card. The annual fee of Rs 499 will be waived off on spending Rs 1 lakh annually instead of the previous limit of Rs 50,000.