Under the new Income-tax Rules, 2026, India's post office savings network will enforce stricter compliance by requiring the quoting of Permanent Account Number (PAN) for various transactions. This includes opening accounts, making deposits, and withdrawing funds. The introduction of PAN aims to improve transparency and strengthen the tracking of high-value transactions. For individuals without a PAN, submitting Form 97 will be necessary, which demands detailed disclosures about the depositor's identity, address, and transaction details. Furthermore, the government has merged Forms 15G and 15H into a new standardised Form 121 for TDS declarations, which must now be submitted annually. Post offices are also required to maintain transaction records for seven years, aligning their operations with broader tax audit standards. While these rules are effective immediately, existing processes will remain in place temporarily to ease the transition for depositors. Overall, these changes reflect a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing compliance and reducing tax evasion among small investors.