This innovative system will utilize AI cameras and sensors to scan vehicle number plates and FASTags. Toll payments will be automatically deducted from linked bank accounts or digital wallets. Cash payments at toll plazas will be phased out, making FASTag or UPI mandatory for all vehicles.

Key facts:

• Vehicles without valid FASTags or insufficient balance will face penalties.
• QR codes will be available for UPI payments if the FASTag fails.
• Drivers must ensure their FASTag is active and linked to their bank account.
• The government aims to make the highway network cashless and reduce human intervention.
• Entry to toll plazas may be restricted for repeated violations of the new rules.

Nitin Gadkari stated, “Now you will not have to stand in long queues at toll plazas or stop your vehicle.” He emphasized that the goal is to make travel so smooth that drivers can reach their destination without stopping.

The current toll system requires vehicles to stop at barriers for payment, which will be eliminated in the new system. This change is expected to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion at toll booths.

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This new system allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping. It employs AI cameras and sensors to scan vehicle number plates and FASTags for efficient toll collection. Payments will be automatically deducted from linked bank accounts or digital wallets.

Cash payments at toll plazas will gradually be phased out. FASTag or UPI will become mandatory for all vehicles. Penalties will apply to vehicles without valid FASTags or those with insufficient balances. Additionally, QR codes will be available for UPI payments if the FASTag fails.

Drivers must ensure their FASTag is active and properly linked to their bank accounts. The government aims to create cashless highways and reduce human intervention in toll collection.

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, emphasized the convenience of this new system. He stated, “Now you will not have to stand in long queues at toll plazas or stop your vehicle.” He added that the goal is to make travel so smooth that drivers can reach their destinations without stopping.

The current system requires vehicles to halt at barriers for payment, which this new initiative seeks to eliminate. Entry to toll plazas may be restricted for repeated violations of the new rules.

As this transition unfolds, officials have not confirmed how quickly these changes will take effect across all national highways.

The post FASTag Launches Barrier-less Tolling System in India appeared first on newscri.

The Income Tax Act of 1961 is being replaced after over six decades. The new Income Tax Act of 2025 will take effect on April 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in tax regulations in India.

Under the new regime, tax slabs for the financial year 2026-27 will remain unchanged. The existing income tax slabs include a nil rate for income up to Rs 4 lakh, 10% for Rs 4-8 lakh, 15% for Rs 12-16 lakh, 20% for Rs 16-20 lakh, 25% for Rs 20-24 lakh, and 30% for income above Rs 24 lakh.

Additionally, the FASTag Annual Pass fee will see a slight increase from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 starting April 1, 2026. This change is part of a broader set of adjustments aimed at modernizing tax collection and compliance.

Another notable change is the reduction of the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) for overseas education and medical treatment from 5% to 2%, effective the same date. This reduction is expected to ease the financial burden on individuals seeking education or medical services abroad.

The deadline for filing ITR-3 and ITR-4 has also been postponed to August 31, applicable from the financial year 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27). This extension aims to provide taxpayers with additional time to complete their filings.

In terms of structural changes, the new Income Tax Act has reduced the number of sections from 819 to 536 and the total number of tax rules from 399 to 190, streamlining the tax code significantly.

Furthermore, the tax-free limit for meal vouchers has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per meal, and the annual cap for gifts and vouchers has risen from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. The tax-free ceiling for interest-free loans from employers has also been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2,00,000.

Moreover, the minimum working days required to become eligible for leave has been reduced from 240 to 180 days per year, reflecting a shift towards more employee-friendly policies.

As these changes are implemented, observers anticipate a smoother transition for taxpayers and a more efficient tax administration. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has also signed a record 219 Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) during the financial year 2025-26, indicating a proactive approach to international taxation.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term impact of these changes, but officials are optimistic about the potential benefits for taxpayers and the economy as a whole.

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