New FASTag Rules From February 17: What You Need to Know

If you use FASTag for toll payments, take note of the latest guidelines issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). From February 17, 2025, new balance validation rules will come into effect, potentially impacting your toll transactions.

Here's what you need to know to avoid payment disruptions.

Key Changes To FASTag Rules

According to an NPCI circular dated January 28, 2025, the system will now enforce stricter balance checks. Here’s how the changes will work:

• If a FASTag has been blacklisted, has insufficient funds, or has been hotlisted for over 60 minutes before arriving at the toll, and remains in that state for 10 minutes after arrival, the transaction will be declined (error code 176).

• However, if the issue is resolved within the last 60 minutes before reaching the toll or within 10 minutes after arrival, the transaction will proceed as usual.

How Will This Impact FASTag Users

Previously, users could recharge their FASTag at the toll booth and still pass through without issues. With the new rules:

• Last-minute top-ups might not work if the FASTag has been blacklisted.

• Users need to check their FASTag status and balance well in advance to prevent any inconvenience.

• Ensuring that Know Your Customer (KYC) details are updated will be crucial to avoid unexpected blacklisting.

What Is A Blacklisted FASTag

A FASTag can be blacklisted due to various reasons, including:

• Low or zero balance

• Expired KYC documentation

• Pending legal issues related to the vehicle

Once blacklisted, the tag cannot be used at toll plazas until the issue is resolved.

How to Check Your FASTag Status

To avoid last-minute hassles, verify your FASTag status before you hit the road:

• FASTag Customer Portal: Log in to your issuer’s website to check the current status.

• NPCI Official Website: Visit NPCI's FASTag status page to see if your tag is active, inactive, or blocked.

• SMS Alerts: FASTag issuers send SMS notifications when the balance is low or if the tag has been blacklisted.

How To Unblock A Blacklisted FASTag

If your FASTag is blacklisted, follow these steps to reactivate it:

1. Recharge your account with at least the required minimum balance.

2. Confirm the updated status via your FASTag issuer’s portal.

3. Allow a few minutes for the system to process the recharge and reactivate the tag.

Stay Prepared To Avoid Travel Disruptions

With these rule changes, it’s more important than ever to maintain an active and adequately funded FASTag. Planning ahead will help ensure smooth toll transactions and prevent unnecessary delays or penalties.

Stay updated, keep your balance in check, and travel hassle-free.