FASTag News

FASTag News 2026: Latest NHAI, NPCI and Toll Rule Updates

Latest FASTag news for India in 2026: OneTag bank switching, the Local Pass at 121 toll plazas, cash ending at toll plazas, barrier-free MLFF tolling, e-notice rules and the Annual Pass. Official sources only.

By CareAll Digital Services · official sources only

The FASTag rules that matter to car and truck owners changed a lot in 2026. This page collects each change from the official source — the Press Information Bureau (PIB), NPCI and IHMCL — with what it means for you. Newest first.

OneTag: switch your FASTag bank and keep the same tag

17 September 2026

NHAI's Rajmargyatra app now offers OneTag, FASTag bank portability built by IHMCL and NPCI. Enter your vehicle number, get a 6-digit code from your current bank, then choose the new bank and complete its checks. Your old bank closes the old FASTag wallet and refunds the balance after any adjustments. A tag cannot be moved again for 6 months.

What it means for you: You can change banks without buying a new sticker. Your balance is refunded by the old bank, not moved across, so plan the switch before a trip.

Source: PIB, 17 Sep 2026 · NPCI launch, 11 Sep 2026

Local Pass now at 121 toll plazas

18 August 2026

The digital FASTag Local Pass gives people living within 20 km of a toll plaza unlimited crossings of that plaza for a month. It is bought in the Rajmargyatra app, with eligibility checked through DigiLocker, VAHAN and a map check. It started at Mundka–Bakkarwala on UER-II in July and now covers 121 plazas; the list is on rajmargyatra.nhai.gov.in.

What it means for you: If you live near a toll plaza and cross it often, check whether it is on the list and buy the pass in the app.

Source: PIB, 18 Aug 2026 · PIB, 20 Jul 2026

Barrier-free (MLFF) toll plazas: where they are

1 August 2026

Barrier-free toll plazas read your FASTag and number plate without a boom barrier. Live so far: Chorayasi (NH-48, Surat–Bharuch, 1 May), Mundka–Bakkarwala (UER-II, 11 May), Daulatpura (NH-48, 19 June), Gharaunda (NH-44, 25 June), Manoharpura (NH-48, 1 July) and Shahjahanpur (NH-48, 1 August), which made the Manesar–Jaipur stretch barrier-free.

What it means for you: If your toll is not collected at one of these plazas, you get an e-notice: pay the normal toll within 72 hours, or twice the rate after that.

Source: PIB, 2 May 2026 · PIB, 1 Aug 2026

Parliament: 77 lakh+ Annual Passes, satellite tolling still under study

22 July 2026

In a Rajya Sabha reply the government said the Annual Pass costs ₹3,075 for 2026-27 and that more than 77 lakh passes had been issued by June. Barrier-free tolling has been awarded at 17 plazas, with bids invited for 104 more. On satellite (GNSS) tolling, expert committees recommended further deliberations. Complaints can go to the 1033 helpline, falsededuction@ihmcl.com, your issuer bank or the Rajmargyatra app.

What it means for you: Nothing changes for your car: FASTag stays, and no satellite device is needed.

Source: PIB, 22 Jul 2026

Tags linked to a wrong vehicle number will be blacklisted

15 April 2026

Banks must check the vehicle number linked to every FASTag and blacklist tags linked to a wrong or invalid number. This mainly affects older tags issued before the VAHAN link-up.

What it means for you: If your FASTag shows the wrong vehicle number, get it corrected before it is blacklisted.

Source: PIB, 15 Apr 2026

Cash ends at national highway toll plazas

11 April 2026

From 10 April 2026 national highway toll plazas take payment by FASTag or UPI only. At first this did not apply in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry, where the election code of conduct was in force. Without a valid, working FASTag you pay 1.25 times the toll by UPI.

What it means for you: Keep your FASTag working and funded; the cash fallback is gone on national highways.

Source: PIB, 11 Apr 2026

Toll plazas can no longer type in vehicle numbers by hand

23 March 2026

From 1 May 2026 toll plazas may not create FASTag charges by typing a vehicle number in manually. Toll agencies that do face damages of ₹25,000 per case.

What it means for you: Fewer wrong charges from mistyped vehicle numbers.

Source: IHMCL circular, 23 Mar 2026

New e-notice rules for unpaid tolls

18 March 2026

The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 came into force on 17 March 2026. Pay the normal toll within 72 hours of an e-notice; after that it is twice the rate. A complaint can be filed within 72 hours and must be decided in 5 days. If the fee stays unpaid for 15 days with no complaint pending, it is posted to VAHAN and vehicle services can be restricted. Pay only on nhfeenotice.parivahan.gov.in.

What it means for you: Pay an e-notice quickly, and only on the official portal.

Source: PIB, 18 Mar 2026

Annual Pass price revised to ₹3,075

15 March 2026

From 1 April 2026 the FASTag Annual Pass costs ₹3,075 (it was ₹3,000). It is for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag, works at about 1,150 plazas, and lasts one year or 200 crossings, whichever comes first. It activates within about two hours of paying in Rajmargyatra or on the NHAI website.

What it means for you: Worth it if you cross national highway plazas often; see our Annual Pass guide.

Source: PIB, 15 Mar 2026

Unfinished expressways charged at the normal highway rate

12 February 2026

From 15 February 2026, a national expressway that is not yet open end to end is charged at the normal national highway rate for the finished length, for up to one year or until it fully opens.

What it means for you: Lower tolls on partly open expressways.

Source: PIB, 12 Feb 2026

Unpaid tolls now block RTO services

20 January 2026

Under the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, unpaid tolls can block the NOC for transfer, fitness certificate renewal and the National Permit.

What it means for you: Clear any pending toll or e-notice before you sell a vehicle or renew its fitness.

Source: PIB, 20 Jan 2026

KYV dropped for new car FASTags

1 January 2026

For new car, jeep and van FASTags issued from 1 February 2026, the separate Know Your Vehicle (KYV) step is discontinued. Vehicle details are checked on VAHAN before activation. Existing car tags need KYV only if there is a complaint such as a loose tag or wrong issuance.

What it means for you: Getting a new FASTag for a car is simpler.

Source: PIB, 1 Jan 2026

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is cash still accepted at FASTag toll plazas?

On national highways, no: from 10 April 2026 toll plazas take only FASTag or UPI. At first this did not apply in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry because of elections. Without a valid FASTag, UPI costs 1.25 times the toll.

Can I change my FASTag bank without a new tag?

Yes. OneTag on the Rajmargyatra app lets you switch banks and keep the same tag. The old bank refunds your balance after adjustments, and you cannot switch again for 6 months.

Do I need a GPS device for satellite tolling?

No. In July 2026 the government said satellite tolling needs further study. FASTag remains the way to pay, including at barrier-free MLFF plazas.

Where can I get help with my SBI FASTag?

SBI FASTag customer care is 1800 11 0018. For help with a new tag, KYC, a blacklisted tag or an e-notice, WhatsApp CareAll Digital Services on 90420 10180.

Need help with this? We'll sort it as fast as possible

CareAll Digital Services handles SBI FASTag applications — we handle it as fast as possible on WhatsApp, with new tags couriered across India in 1–3 days.