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The blog explains latest updates on NPS, IMPS, sovereign gold bonds, and more.
On February 1, 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget, which ushered in a range of significant changes in the Indian financial sector. Various regulatory bodies have announced updates and amendments, many of which became effective immediately. These changes are poised to impact investors, account holders, and individuals engaged in financial transactions across the country.
The National Pension System (NPS) is a long-term, voluntary investment scheme initiated by the Indian government to help citizens accumulate funds for retirement. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), which oversees pension schemes in India, issued a circular in December 2023 detailing new rules regarding NPS withdrawals.
Under the latest guidelines from the PFRDA, NPS subscribers are now permitted to make partial withdrawals for specific reasons, including:
Moreover, subscribers can withdraw a maximum of 25% of their contributions in their NPS accounts. These new withdrawal rules came into effect on February 1, 2024.
The Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), enables real-time fund transfers between bank accounts. Previously, IMPS users were limited to transferring Rs 1 lakh in a single transaction. However, following an NPCI circular issued on October 31, 2023, this limit has been increased to Rs 5 lakh per transaction. The revised IMPS rules were also implemented on February 1, 2024, enhancing the flexibility and capacity for electronic fund transfers.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that all FASTags with pending Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation will become inoperative after February 1, 2024. FASTag users are encouraged to complete their KYC requirements promptly to ensure uninterrupted use of this electronic toll collection system, which facilitates seamless travel on national highways.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to issue the final tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) for the fiscal year 2023-24, known as Series 4. This series will open for subscription from February 12, 2024, and close on February 16, 2024.
Sovereign Gold Bonds offer an opportunity to invest in digital gold through government-backed bonds. These bonds are denominated in grams of gold and carry a fixed maturity period of eight years. Investors have the option to trade SGBs on stock exchanges, similar to equity shares. In addition to potential capital appreciation based on gold prices, SGB investors earn an interest rate of 2.5% per annum on their investment value, payable semi-annually.
February 2024 marks a transformative period in India's financial landscape, featuring notable amendments to the NPS rules, enhanced IMPS transfer limits, KYC compliance for FASTags, and the upcoming issuance of Sovereign Gold Bonds.
By staying informed about these changes and adjusting financial strategies accordingly, individuals and investors can navigate the evolving financial environment effectively. HDFC Bank offers a wide range of financial products to assist in seamless financial planning and management.