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Families can save on school fees through tax exemptions for education and hostel allowances from employers. Tuition fees may also also qualify for deductions under Section 80C. Here's everything you need to know about these tax benefits.
Income-tax returns: The I-T department has released excel utility of its ITR-1 (Sahaj), ITR-2, ITR-3, and ITR-4 (Sugam) forms for AY27. Today we lay out the numbers and key things to know for senior and super senior citizens looking to file their returns.
A Bengaluru homebuyer has been waiting over six years for promised amenities after paying 40 lakh for an apartment. He approached Karnataka RERA for relief and partly won the case. Here's what you can do if it happens to you.
8th CPC: The 8th pay commission has invited eligible candidates to fill vacancies for consultant roles. Here are details on job openings, qualifications required, salary and the deadline for applications.
The EPFO member portal now allows salaried employees to transfer their EPF balance from previous employers to current ones more easily, aiming to reduce paperwork. Here's how the process works and what all you need to know.
DA hike: Amid expectations that the Indian government will announce dearness allowance increase in July 2026. we take a look at the trend of past DA hike announcements during the 7th central pay commission.
Pension rules: Orissa HC says government employees can't lose pension over leave alone
The Orissa High Court has ruled that unauthorised absence from work, by itself, is not grave misconduct that justifies compulsory retirement or denial of pension. The court restored a railway employee's retirement benefits after finding the punishment disproportionate.
The Nasdaq 100 emerged as the biggest long-term wealth creator over the last 20 years, with 21.3% returns. Among Indian equity benchmarks, the Nifty Midcap 150 TRI delivered the highest annualised return over the same period at 16.3%.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has this month migrated entire member database to the Centralised IT Enabled Services (CITES) project. The overhaul of its digital infrastructure aims to make services faster, transparent and more citizen centric.
Gifts from family can be tax-exempt, but not always. Tax treatment varies based on the giver, value, and occasion. Here's when a gift is tax-free when it becomes taxable.
Quant Small Cap Fund portfolio: Reliance Industries among 9 stock exits, 5 new additions in June
Quant Small Cap added five new stocks to its portfolio in June while making complete exits from nine companies, including Reliance Industries. The fund also sharply increased holdings in RBL Bank, Sona BLW Precision Forgings and Anand Rathi Wealth while trimming exposure to several existing stocks.
Living abroad does not automatically exempt NRIs from filing an ITR in India. Tax filing depends on residential status, income earned from Indian sources, and other conditions such as salary, rent, capital gains, business income, TDS refunds, and DTAA claims.
The Income Tax e-filing portal helps taxpayers identify the correct ITR form through eligibility conditions and a guided questionnaire. Users can also determine applicable schedules, making the return filing process simpler.
Only one international mutual fund remains open for fresh SIPs after 11 schemes shut doors
Fresh SIP registrations into international mutual funds have nearly come to a halt after PGIM, Franklin Templeton and Edelweiss suspended new inflows into 11 schemes. Existing SIPs, however, will continue uninterrupted.
EPFO has introduced the Amnesty Scheme, 2026, giving employers operating exempted Provident Fund (PF) trusts a one-time opportunity to regularise their legal status.
Gaurik Shah, Senior Vice President Equity Investments at Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, discusses his journey from software engineering to quantitative investing, his process-driven investment philosophy, and the responsibility of managing investors' wealth.
A couple faced pressure to buy a house but learned that renting may be financially wiser. With the rent yielding only 2-3% annually on a 1.5 crore flat, they debated the benefits of down payments versus investments, concluding that homeownership should not be driven by social expectations.
4 mutual fund NFOs will open for subscription this week. Check key dates and details
Four new mutual fund schemes, including three actively managed funds and one ETF, are set to open for subscription this week, offering investors exposure to services, large and midcap, midcap and banking segments.
Equity mutual funds delivered strong returns last week, led by sectoral, thematic and international schemes. Mirae Asset Hang Seng TECH ETF FoF topped the list with a 6.38% gain, while technology-focused and business cycle funds dominated the top performers.
Seven mutual fund NFOs raised Rs 460 crore in June, with WhiteOak Capital Aggressive Hybrid Fund dominating collections. Index funds and ETFs saw relatively muted inflows, while the lone large and mid cap fund also contributed modestly. The data reflects selective investor participation in new fund launches amid evolving market conditions.
SIF inflows: Hybrid long-short funds account for 67% of total SIF AUM at Rs 11,910 crore
SIF inflows surged in June, led by hybrid long-short funds, which dominated with over Rs 11,900 crore in AUM. Total inflows rose sharply month-on-month, with most strategies witnessing traction, while sector rotation funds remained negligible. Data highlights growing investor preference for hybrid long-short strategies within the evolving SIF landscape in India.
EPF Scheme 2026: Lost your job? Full PF withdrawal now allowed only after 12 months
The new EPF Scheme, 2026 replaces the decades-old 1952 scheme and changes how provident fund withdrawals work after unemployment. Members can now access only 75% of their PF balance immediately after losing a job.
More mutual funds dont always mean better diversification: How to avoid the portfolio overlap trap
According to the expert, investors should add a new mutual fund only if it reduces portfolio concentration, adds meaningful diversification, and fits your financial goals. A compact portfolio of 5 to 6 funds can often provide better diversification.
39.96 lakh BSNL VRS payout gets full tax exemption from ITAT; here's what the ruling means
A retired BSNL employee won full tax relief on a 39.96 lakh VRS payout after the ITAT ruled it was retrenchment compensation. The tribunal said the benefit under Section 10(10B) applies based on the specific facts of the BSNL VRS-2019 scheme.
How to read AIS and why is it key to filing ITR
AIS has become the default starting point for filing ITR, but experts warn it's riddled with gaps making independent reconciliation essential.
Recent AMFI data reveals retail investors exhibit strong participation that despite market volatility SIP contributions rose 7.5% to 32,087 crore in March. We asked experts what is driving optimism among small investors and confidence in SIPs. Here's what they said
REITs and InvITs AUM to double to 20 trillion by 2030: Should you invest in them?
The regulatory framework for REITs and InvITs has improved a lot. As a result, mutual funds have increased their exposure to them. Going ahead, with the listing of new REITs and InvITs in existing and new sectors, investors will have a wide variety of options to choose from.
Want to switch jobs and keep your current insurance plan? Here is what you can do to convert your employer group health policy into an individual or family coverage plan. Check eligibility, steps, rules
Reporting errors, not evasion, spark most tax litigations, say experts
The most avoidable source of tax litigation between individual taxpayers and the department is disputes over classification and disclosurespecifically, mismatches between how taxpayers report income or investments and how the department interprets them.
Home loan EMI: Why paying more than 30% of income could hurt your financial freedom
A high home loan EMI can strain monthly finances and delay wealth creation. Experts recommend keeping EMIs within 25-30% of monthly income to maintain savings, investments and financial security while managing homeownership comfortably and preparing for unexpected expenses.
ITR Form 1 (Sahaj) is for small taxpayers with income up to 50 lakh. Over 1.7 crore ITRs were filed for 2025-26, urging timely submissions before the July 31 deadline to avoid penalties and delays in refunds.
With the new EPF rules and Labour Codes redefining contributions by employees and employers towards provident fund, we asked experts to explain how this impacts your monthly investment in the financial instrument. Here's what they said
Income Tax Return filing has become more than a tax obligation. A timely and accurate ITR strengthens your financial identity, improves loan eligibility, supports visa applications, speeds up refunds and builds long-term financial credibility with lenders, insurers and financial institutions.
Chose the new tax regime? Here are 5 ways to reduce your tax while filing ITR for AY 2026-27
The new tax regime features lower rates with fewer deductions, leading many salaried taxpayers to think they can't reduce tax liabilities. However, there are tax-saving provisions available. Here are five ways to lower your tax outgo.
NPS exit rules explained: How the Retirement Income Scheme and drawdown options work
The PFRDAs latest initiative aims to provide NPS subscribers with more flexible periodic payouts during the decumulation phase while continuing to support corpus appreciation through the RIS. While the subscriber gets periodic payments, the remaining corpus stays invested and continues to grow.
8th pay commission: Here's how union representatives, employees, pensioners, government departments and stakeholders can submit data to the 8th pay commission (CPC). Today, we take you through the full step-by-step process.
SK Hynix shares surged 12.8% on Wall Street debut, raising $26.5 billion in the largest U.S. share sale by a foreign company. SK Hynix dominates the high bandwidth memory market and has partnered with Nvidia, capitalizing on the expanding AI sector.
After SpaceX's IPO valuation surpassed $2 trillion, investors eye OpenAI as the next major IPO. CEO Sam Altman won't consider going public below $1 trillion, raising questions on whether OpenAI can match SpaceX's investment return despite their differing business models.
Want Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu in your portfolio? 5 China ETFs Indian investors should know about
Diversifying equity portfolios geographically can be beneficial, especially with China-focused ETFs, which track Chinese companies. While easier for Indian investors through US-listed ETFs, risks such as geopolitical tensions remain.
Dearness Allowance: From DA hike to restoration of Old Pension Scheme, pension revision, gratuity, minimum wage and more Check the demands made by Joint Coordination Committee of Punjab Government Employees and Pensioners.
Capital gains tax on property sale: ITAT allows home loan interest as cost of acquisition
A Bengaluru ITAT ruling has clarified which expenses can be included in the cost of acquisition while computing capital gains tax on a property sale. The order allows home loan interest and maintenance deposits but requires verification of travel expenses.
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund portfolio: 4 new stocks added in June; see the biggest buys and sells
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund made a series of portfolio changes in June, introducing four new stocks, increasing holdings in 18 companies and trimming stakes in 25 others. It also made a complete exit from Ramco Cements during the month.
Think EPF is completely tax-free? Here's what employees should know
Job switches, career breaks and early withdrawals can all affect the tax treatment of your EPF corpus. Here's a breakdown of the key rules employees should know.
Retail investors pumped more money into mid-cap and small-cap funds than flexi-cap funds in June for the first time since Dec 2023. Experts say improving earnings visibility, stronger returns and attractive valuations drove the shift, while cautioning against reading too much into one month's data.
Why investors are pouring money into midcap and smallcap mutual funds again
Investor interest in midcap and smallcap mutual funds saw a strong comeback in June. These funds attracted significant inflows, becoming major contributors to equity mutual fund recovery. Broader market stock performance encouraged investors to increase allocations to these segments. Midcap and smallcap funds delivered notable returns, reflecting renewed investor confidence. The net assets under management for these categories also experienced substantial growth.
Income Tax Department releases ITR-7 Excel utility for AY 2026-27; check who can use it
The Income Tax Department has released the ITR-7 Excel utility for AY 2026-27, enabling eligible entities to prepare returns offline and upload them through the e-filing portal. Here's who can use the form, how the process works and the applicable deadlines.
Health insurance checklist: Key policy terms to watch out for before hospital admission
Many policyholders get nasty surprises during hospitalisation. This is mainly due to several limitations buried in the policy terms and conditions, resulting in high out-of-pocket expenses.
Tata Asset Management elevates Anand Vardarajan as CEO and MD, Prathit Bhobe steps down
Anand Vardarajan will become Tata Asset Management's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He takes over from Prathit Bhobe, who steps down in July 2026. Vardarajan has been with the company since 2018, serving as Chief Business Officer. Hemant Kumar is appointed Chief Business Officer, overseeing various business functions. These appointments ensure a smooth leadership transition for future growth.
Mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio slows to 91% in June as new SIP registrations outpace closures
The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio eased in June, falling below 100% for the first time in months. More new SIPs were registered than those discontinued or completed their tenures. SIP contributions reached a record Rs 31,781 crore, showing investor confidence in long-term investing. Retail mutual fund assets and folios also saw an increase during the month. This trend reinforces disciplined investor participation in India's growth story.
Wealth management for new parents: Expert explains 5 money moves to secure your child's future
New parents can strengthen their child's financial future through term insurance, health cover, emergency savings and SIP investments. Early investing helps build a 1.2 crore education corpus while protecting the family from unexpected financial risks and rising education costs.
Lost track of an old PF account? EPFO's new Service History feature can help, here's how
EPFO's new Service History feature lets members view their complete employment and PF records in one place. The update can help subscribers identify missing service records and trace old PF accounts before filing claims.
Govts hub-and-spoke model for international travel: How will it help airline passengers?
The governments hub-and-spoke model will allow airline passengers to check in baggage and complete customs and immigration formalities at spoke city airport (Tier-II and -III cities), and take onward flight from the hub city airport (Delhi or other major cities) to international locations.
Sebi lets mutual funds use intraday borrowing
Sebi has issued revised norms for mutual fund intraday borrowing. These new rules will become effective from September 1, 2026. Mutual funds can now borrow temporarily to manage liquidity mismatches. This allows them to meet unit holder payouts and investment pay-ins. The borrowing quantum will be linked to expected daily receivables.
Mid & smallcaps turn the tide for equity mutual fund flows
Equity mutual fund inflows increased significantly in June, reaching 28,973 crore. Retail investors returned to mid- and small-cap segments, allocating substantial funds to these categories. Systematic investment plan collections also saw a modest rise during the month. The mutual fund industry's assets under management edged up slightly, aided by market gains. Sectoral and thematic funds also experienced renewed investor interest and recovered inflows.
The Karnataka High Court has requested the Union government to respond to a petition challenging tax exemptions for gifts between spouses, which currently excludes same-sex couples. Details here.
EPS 2026: New withdrawal rules and 20-day claim settlement explained
With EPS 2026, the pension system for organized sector employees is reformed for transparency and efficiency. It mandates a 36-month wait for withdrawal benefits, enforces a 20-day claim processing deadline, and supports higher pensions, while preserving existing benefits for current members.
If you invested like Trump, you'd be ahead of the S&P 500 here's what the US President is betting on
Trump's financial disclosures reveal he executed 21,285 stock trades in 2025, averaging one trade every five minutes. His portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500, with a 37.3% return since his inauguration. Here's a look at the US leader's portfolio .
The EPFO has restored its passbook portal after a two-week outage due to a database upgrade. Members can access their accounts again ahead of 8.25% interest credit.
Same salary, different loan amount? Here's why banks may treat borrowers differently
Lenders consider factors beyond income when approving loans, such as repayment history and financial habits. Two individuals with identical salaries may experience different loan outcomes based on their overall financial profiles.
Which ITR form should you file? A guide for salaried employees, pensioners and other taxpayers
The ITR forms have been revised for AY 2026-27, affecting ITR-1, ITR-4 and ITR-2. Taxpayers must ensure correct filing by reviewing income sources and changes to avoid complications. The filing deadline is 31 July 2026 for individuals and non-audited entities.
Taxpayers can reset their income tax e-filing portal password using various methods if they forget it, even if they don't have access to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Step-by-step guide here.
Sebi allows mutual funds to use intraday borrowing to manage liquidity mismatches
Starting September 1, 2026, SEBI allows mutual funds to use intraday borrowing to manage short-term liquidity mismatches for payouts. Asset management companies must cover all borrowing costs, ensuring no financial risk is passed on to the scheme investors.
EPF vs PPF vs NPS: Which retirement scheme is meant for you?
Building a solid retirement corpus is crucial for financial planning. Popular schemes in India include EPF, PPF, and NPS, each differing in eligibility, contributions, and benefits. Details here.
These value mutual funds delivered the highest returns in 5 years. Should you invest?
Value funds, notably HSBC and ICICI Prudential, have yielded strong returns. Experts suggest that investors adopt a mixed strategy, combining value and growth stocks, to enhance portfolio performance throughout different market cycles.
Gold ETFs witness 570% surge in inflows in June, silver ETFs follow with 300% jump
Gold ETF inflows surged to Rs 3,443 crore and silver ETF inflows reached Rs 4,286 crore in June, reversing recent outflows. Investors increased allocations despite negative monthly returns, highlighting continued demand for precious metals as strategic portfolio diversification and passive investment options.
ITR filing: Switched jobs during FY 2025-26? Follow this checklist to avoid errors
Employees who changed jobs during FY 2025-26 should report salary from all employers while filing ITR for AY 2026-27. Verify Form 16, Form 26AS and AIS, report total salary correctly, and avoid tax notices, interest charges and refund delays.
Mutual fund delivered 15% CAGR? Why your returns may still be lower
Your mutual fund's published return and your actual return are often not the same. Experts explain why investor behaviour, rather than fund performance, is usually responsible for the gap.
Planning to invest in largecap mutual funds for 3 years? Here are 5 top performers with 19% gain
Five Nifty Next 50 ETFs topped large-cap fund performance with annualised returns of nearly 19% over three years, while five BSE Sensex index funds lagged, delivering modest single-digit annualised returns between 6% and 6.7%.
Mutual fund SIP inflows hit 3-month high of Rs 31,781 crore in June
Mutual fund SIP inflows rose to a three-month high of Rs 31,781 crore in June, up 3% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year, according to AMFI data. Equity mutual fund inflows also rebounded sharply, jumping 26% from May to Rs 28,973 crore, reflecting stronger investor participation and renewed interest in equity schemes amid improving market sentiment.
Nithin Kamath's remarks spark public spat between Zerodha and Groww over direct mutual funds
Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and Groww are debating direct mutual fund offerings publicly. Kamath reiterated Zerodha's commitment to free direct mutual fund plans. Groww clarified that its optional subscription service does not replace direct mutual funds. Direct mutual funds remain free for do-it-yourself investors on Groww. This debate highlights shifts in India's investment platform industry.
CBDT directs AIS to show foreign investments, strengthening tax transparency and compliance
CBDT will upload foreign investment and overseas financial account information into taxpayers' AIS within 90 days under the AEOI framework. The move aims to improve tax transparency, simplify compliance, strengthen verification of foreign assets and encourage accurate income tax return filing.
Edelweiss Mutual Fund announces restriction on fresh subscription in 7 funds
Edelweiss Mutual Fund will halt new SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes. This suspension takes effect from July 10, 2026, impacting international and sectoral funds. Existing systematic transactions will continue as usual without any changes. The fund house cited nearing overseas investment limits as the primary reason for this decision. Investors were previously informed about subscription caps on these specific schemes.
8th Pay Commission: Should the highest government salary be capped? Here's what employee bodies want
Employee bodies have proposed contrasting approaches to determining the highest salary under the 8th Pay Commission, with some seeking a 1:12 cap between minimum and maximum pay while others oppose any such limit.
HDFC Defence Fund raises stake in Mazagon Dock, Tata Motors and 3 others in June
The HDFC Defence Fund boosted its holdings in Mazagon Dock and Tata Motors during June. It also added shares of Bharat Electronics, BEML, and Bosch to its portfolio. The fund completely exited Rishabh Instruments, selling its entire stake. Seventeen existing stock exposures remained unchanged, including Bharat Forge and HAL. The fund's performance has outperformed its benchmark in shorter timeframes.
20x rule explained: Simple property price test to decide if renting or buying a home is smarter
The 20x rule helps homebuyers compare property prices to rental values before deciding whether to buy or rent. Here's how the pricetorent ratio works, its benefits and limitations and how EMIs, appreciation and personal finances shape smarter housing choices.
NFO Insight: Can the NJ Momentum Fund help investors capture market momentum?
NJ Mutual Fund has launched the NJ Momentum Fund, an NFO that seeks to capture strong price trends through a rules-based momentum strategy backed by quality filters. While experts see momentum as a useful satellite allocation, they advise limiting exposure and caution that investors may be better off choosing proven, lower-cost existing momentum funds.
Think choosing a bad fund is your biggest mistake? These 3 can cost even more
The biggest threat to your mutual fund returns may not be the fund you choose, but the decisions you make after investing. Experts identify three costly mistakes that investors should avoid.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Funds June moves: ITC, TCS among key buys; Dr Reddys, Maruti see stake cut
Best flexi cap mutual funds to invest in July 2026
Flexi cap funds offer fund managers investment freedom across market capitalizations and sectors. These schemes are recommended for moderate investors seeking long-term wealth creation over five years. Investors should carefully select schemes aligning with their individual risk appetite and temperament. Several flexi cap funds are highlighted for potential investment in July 2026. Performance metrics like rolling returns and downside risk guide fund selection.
Switched jobs recently? EPFO's new rule can make your PF transfer hassle-free
EPFO has removed the need for a separate provident fund transfer request when employees with Aadhaar-linked UANs change jobs. The move is part of a wider overhaul of the EPFO's digital platform aimed at making PF services faster and simpler.
Ask the right questions before you borrow: CRIF's Sachin Seth
CRIF India's Sachin Seth discusses how India's credit ecosystem has matured through Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and digital lending infrastructure, and why risk-based pricing and secured credit products like gold loans are gaining traction.
Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has asked investors to understand the difference between direct and regular mutual fund plans. He said many investors remain unaware of the higher costs associated with regular plans and advised reviewing their portfolios to identify their existing investments.
Railway engineers have urged the 8th Pay Commission to restore pay parity, grant Group B status and improve promotions. Their demands, raised during stakeholder consultations, could shape future salary, pension and allowance reforms for 1.1 crore Central government employees and pensioners.
8th pay commission: Window for submission of data online for the 8th CPC's consideration has been extended to 31 July this year. Here's how to complete the process and some of the frequently asked questions answered
EPF interest being credited this month: Here's how to calculate your monthly earnings at 8.25% p.a.
EPF interest for FY26 is being credited this month. Here's how to calculate your monthly earnings at 8.25% p.a. and stepwise guide to check your closing balance via passbook online on the EPFO website.
Heavy rains damaged your car? Here's what motor insurance covers and what it doesn't
Heavy rains can damage your car, but not every repair is covered by insurance. Here's what comprehensive policies pay for, common claim exclusions, and mistakes that could lead to claim rejection.
A comprehensive car insurance policy may not cover every monsoon-related expense. Experts explain which add-ons are worth buying to reduce repair costs and improve financial protection.
The West Bengal government will release 50% of estimated Dearness Relief (DR) arrears to pensioners in the Kolkata municipal area in an interim measure that aims to provide immediate relief for state govt retirees.
Is 80 lakh enough to retire? 31-year-old woman wants to quit govt job for 'peace'
The woman said she has been employed at a PSU for the past seven years and is in a comfortable financial position. According to her post, she has no outstanding debt, follows a modest lifestyle and has accumulated significant savings over time.
US-Iran war: Defence funds surge, IT lags; experts share what mutual fund investors should do
Since the start of the US-Iran war in February, the Nifty Defence Index has delivered positive returns of 18.7%, while the Nifty IT Index declined 12.5%. Experts advise investors to avoid short-term reactions, focus on diversified funds, and use SIP investments during periods of market volatility.
