27 C 
The great fuel hedge: can EVs become a solution to India's ICE volatility
With crude over $110, a weak rupee, E20 mandates and BS6 diesel costs rising, electric vehicles are emerging not just as green alternatives but as Indias fiscal hedge.
Senior citizen FD rates in May 2026 across prominent PSU banks show stable returns up to 7.10%, offering safe income, inflation protection and predictable investment options in a volatile economy.
From using appropriate forms, to making proper income disclosures, filling correct details and attaching documentation for proof Here are the top 10 common mistakes to avoid while filing your returns.
FD rates comparison: Here's a look at the latest bank fixed deposit rates offered by the biggest lenders State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank.
The IT Ministry clarifies that it has no plans for a new look for its Aadhaar cards, adding that such speculation is not correct. Here's what's new for the government's biometric ID so far in 2026.
6 essential emergency fund rules every Indian household should know to stay debt-free
Emergency fund rules help households build financial resilience. It is imperative to maintain 36 months' expenses, keeping funds separate, prioritising liquidity, starting small, refilling after use, and reviewing annually for stability.
Safe personal loan EMI on 30,000 salary: Simple budgeting tips explained
Understanding borrowing fundamentals is vital for personal loans. Keeping EMIs at 20-25% of income ensures financial stability. High EMIs risk missed payments, which negatively impact credit scores. Seek professional advice for sustainable financial planning.
A strong credit score is necessary to show lenders that you are a reliable borrower, and first timers or young customers may wonder if closing your credit card could affect this number. Here's how you should manage card closures to protect your credit history
Filing income tax returns online has simplified the process but can confuse first-time taxpayers. Income Tax Notices inform taxpayers of issues like unreported income or discrepancies. Here's how you can verify a notice's authenticity
A disciplined savings rate drives retirement planning by boosting compounding, reducing risk, and ensuring financial security, helping individuals build a stable, sustainable long-term wealth corpus.
These 3 equity mutual fund categories offer over 15% average return in 1 year. Check details
International funds led returns, followed by energy and auto sector funds. Top performers delivered strong gains, but investors should prioritize risk appetite, goals, and horizon over chasing past returns.
Salary 50,000? Heres how much PF corpus you can build in 20 years
EPF corpus from a 50,000 salary can grow substantially over 20 years through disciplined contributions, employer support and compounding, potentially reaching 4060 lakh with salary increments.
Section 80C: Here's how you can unlock up to 1.5 lakh tax deductions in Income-Tax return filings
Section 80C provides taxpayers with deduction benefit up to 1.5 lakh for investment in certain government saving schemes during a given financial or assessment year. Here's how you can claim the tax benefit
HDFC Mutual Fund increases fresh SIP registration amount in HDFC Defence Fund, caps STP at Rs 25,000
HDFC Mutual Fund has revised investment rules for its HDFC Defence Fund, increasing the minimum amount for fresh SIP registrations. It has also capped new STP registrations at 25,000 per month per investor (PAN level), allowing them only under a monthly frequency from May 4.
Lost or stolen credit card? Here are 6 steps to follow to avoid financial loss
A lost or stolen credit card requires immediate action, including blocking the card, checking transactions, reporting to the bank, disputing fraud, securing accounts, and requesting a replacement to prevent financial loss.
The government revised the Dearness Allowance (DA) for bank employees for May, June, and July 2026, impacting salaries for workmen and officer employees. Here's how this impacts monthly pay for bank staff
NFO Alert: Axis Mutual Fund launches Axis Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund
Axis Mutual Fund has launched the Axis Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking the Nifty Capital Markets Total Return Index (TRI). The NFO is open till May 15 and aims to mirror index performance, before expenses, subject to tracking error. The fund offers investors exposure to Indias evolving capital markets ecosystem.
How bureau and account aggregator data are redefining lending risk
The evolution of lending practices towards precision underwriting emphasizes using both historical and real-time data for improved risk management.
8th central pay commission: The 8th CPC has planned state visits to Telangana, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir in May and June 2026. Here's a look at the latest updates as the panel calls for consultations.
Public sector banks offer competitive personal loan interest rates starting at 7.10% in May 2026. Key factors that influence borrowing decisions include credit score, tenure, and processing charges.
I asked ChatGPT how to retire at 45 on 1.5 lakh a month. The AI tool suggested specific mutual funds while giving a detailed personal finance plan.
Dont chase returns, rebalance them amid cycles and noise: DSP's Kalpen Parekh
DSP MF CEO Kalpen Parekh trims gold after a sharp rally, raises equity via hybrid funds and sticks to disciplined asset allocationignoring noise, chasing value and respecting cycles.
Mutual fund portfolio in loss after 20 months? Expert says dont judge too early, tweak allocation
An investor's SIP portfolio in SBI Mutual Fund showed a Rs 10,000 loss after 20 months, prompting expert advice. Volatility is inherent in equity markets, and a short investment horizon makes performance judgment difficult. Experts recommend a flexi-cap fund for better diversification and reduced volatility.
8th Pay Commission 6-month review: Key updates, consultation status and outlook
The 8th Pay Commission review highlights progress in consultations, stakeholder engagement, and the policy focus on salaries, pensions, and reforms shaping the future of government employees across the country.
How the falling rupee still affects households with no direct dollar expenses
Economists and financial planners urge the public to rebudget for essentials, build larger emergency funds, and consider global investment diversification as a hedge against accelerating imported inflation.
Best-performing NPS equity funds: Over 15% returns in 3 years. Check key details
Top NPS equity funds have generated over 910% annual returns in the last three years, with fund managers like LIC, UTI, and SBI leading performance amid steady equity market gains.
Record UPI transactions in FY26 highlight rapid digital growth nationwide. UPI payments are best made through secure apps, with vigilant verification and protection of sensitive financial details.
MF Tracker: Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund turns Rs 10,000 SIP to Rs 1.55 crore in 20 years
Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund has delivered exceptional returns, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.55 crore over 20 years. The fund's consistent performance across market cycles, driven by a fundamental, bottom-up approach, has helped investors achieve their financial goals.
Section 80C income-tax relief: Here's how to maximise your 1.5 lakh deduction
Taxpayers can rely on Section 80C of the Income-Tax Act to reduce their tax liability through deductions of up to 1.5 lakh in a financial year. Here's what steps you can take to maximise your investment options
The online income-tax return process has simplified tax filing, yet first-time taxpayers face challenges. Here's a look at what income-tax notices mean and why you may get one from the tax department
How does a Ulip compare to buying a term plan and investing in MFs separately?
Unit-linked insurance plans or Ulips bundle life insurance and investment into a single product. Ulips also carry a tax advantage
The Finance Ministry raised the Dearness Allowance by 2% for central government employees and pensioners, increasing it from 58% to 60% of basic pay. Here's why some expect the next hike in July under 8th CPC to be 3%
The 8th Central Pay Commission held its first meetings discussing demands for annual increments and pension scheme withdrawal. It is set to decide salary hikes for 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh retirees, potentially raising pay significantly.
Withdrawing PF money? Fill these details correctly to avoid TDS deductions
The declarant, who is a resident, must ensure that their expected final tax liability for the year is NIL and duly fill all the rows in Part A of the Form No.121 and sign it.
Five smart investing rules for navigating Indias volatile equity markets in 2026
To turn market volatility into an instrument for wealth creation, retail investors should consider adopting a structured approach. Here are five fundamental rules that can help navigate the complexities of todays financial environment.
How mutual fund-based portfolio management services work
Mutual fund-based portfolio management services are becoming popular among high-net-worth individuals. Here is how these services work
Consistent performers: 13 equity funds deliver over 20% in 3 and 5 years. Do you own any?
Tax deadlines in May 2026: Key dates every taxpayer should know
May 2026 has crucial tax deadlines, including TDS payments and quarterly filings. Taxpayers must comply to avoid penalties. Full list of the deadlines here.
Equity mutual funds delivered over 4% return last week. Check top 10 performers
Chasing midcap mutual funds? Invesco India Mid Cap and 4 others deliver over 25% CAGR in 3 years
Invesco India Mid Cap Fund gave the highest return of 27.2% in the last three years. The fund is assigned a four-star rating and had an AUM of Rs 9.895 crore.
Missed Subhadra Yojana? Here are alternative welfare schemes available in Odisha
Odisha has several welfare schemes aimed at empowering women through financial assistance and social support, including Lakhpati Didi Yojana and MAMATA. Details here.
Know Your Fund Manager | Sameer Narayan, Head Alternate Investment Equity, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC
Growing up in a middle-class family that valued discipline and long-term thinking, I developed an early interest in understanding how businesses grow and create value. That curiosity gradually evolved into a passion for equity markets and investing.
On May 3, gold prices in India remained stable, silver prices also showed limited movement. Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in your city.
As a 22-year-old salaried person with a student, here's how you can build wealth by investing smartly. AI recommends this when asked about investing in SIPs, stocks, or fixed deposits for the best returns with minimum risk.
Smart spending: Here's how you can save money without sacrificing fun
Effective money management involves budgeting, debt management, tracking expenses, and distinguishing needs from wants. Here's a few steps you can adopt to ensure financial security and future savings.
Transactions where PAN is mandatory in India: Full list after form 97 replaces form 60
Starting April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act mandates quoting a PAN for numerous financial transactions, replacing Form 60 with Form 97. Here's a list of transactions where PAN is mandatory.
Private and public sector banks in India will be closed for two days between May 4 and 10, 2026. Customers can use online services for transactions during these periods.
Taxpayers can rely on Section 80C of the Income-Tax Act to reduce their tax liability through deductions of up to 1.5 lakh in a financial year. Here are the investment options you can choose from:
Concerns about a housing market crash are growing among Americans as mortgage rates rise and inflation increases. Financial experts recommend keeping housing costs below 25% of income, though this is becoming difficult with rising home prices. However, a major crash like in 2008 seems unlikely.
DA hike: The highest hike for Dearness Allowance of central government employees came in 2021 with an 11% increase from the central pay commission. Here's a look at what increments have been announced over the past few years
8th CPC: What is the role of pay commissions in calculation of Dearness Allowance?
8th central pay commission: The government appointed panel determines Dearness Allowance hike, fitment factor and other allowances for central govt employees. Here's what role it plays in the decision process
Bank deposit risk explained: What happens to your money if a lender fails to return it?
Bank deposits are generally safe, but in case of bank failure, only 5 lakh per depositor is insured under the DICGC. This coverage applies to all accounts in a bank, with specific exclusions for certain deposits. Details here.
Tax-saving FDs vs regular FDs: Interest rates, lock-in and tax benefits compared
Fixed deposits (FDs) are favored for stable returns, with banks in India offering rates up to 7%. Tax-saving FDs provide deductions under Section 80C but have a 5-year lock-in. Interest rates vary, with senior citizens receiving higher rates.
The RBI has set the final redemption price for its Sovereign Gold Bond 2018-19 Series-I at 14,901 per unit, payable on 4 May 2026. Investors could see gains of nearly 386% from the issue price of 3,114 per unit.
How to claim stuck NPS funds with interest? Step-by-step guide for subscribers
Unclaimed National Pension System contributions can be retrieved through a mechanism specified by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. Full details here.
5 mutual fund NFOs and 1 SIF to open for subscription this week. Check details
Five mutual fund NFOs and one SIF are set to open for subscription this week, offering investors fresh opportunities across index, ETF and thematic categories. With varying investment minimums and timelines, these launches reflect fund houses efforts to expand offerings and capture investor interest in evolving market segments.
Family floater vs separate policy: Whats best health insurance policy for your elderly parents?
Family floater health insurance premiums are primarily calculated based on the age of the eldest member covered. Other key factors are - sum insured, medical history of family members, and family size
SIFs Ex-Top 100 long-short strategy gains 12% in 1 month; two offerings available
Ex-Top 100 long-short SIF strategies have delivered strong near-term gains, with leading funds returning up to 15% in a month. The approach focuses on mid and small caps outside top 100 stocks, combining long equity exposure with selective short positions for alpha generation.
PPF maturity rules: What investors should do when their account matures?
As PPF accounts reach maturity, holders must choose to withdraw the total amount, extend for five years, or continue without extra deposits. Here's what each option offers.
These 6 equity mutual funds deliver over 20% return in April. Do you own any in your portfolio?
Six equity mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in April, led by international and sector-focused schemes. A majority of funds posted positive returns, reflecting strong market momentum. Global indices, especially Nasdaq, supported performance, while only two funds ended negative, highlighting broad-based gains across categories during the month.
A married woman's share in ancestral property is influenced by laws, family dynamics, and social norms. Key laws - the Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act emphasise equal rights for daughters and sons in inheritance matters.
Quant Mutual Fund advises aggressive portfolio rebalancing amid improving market conditions, citing attractive valuations and strong liquidity. It favors large caps, selective mid and small caps, and sectors like energy, infrastructure, and financials, while remaining cautious on manufacturing uncertainties.
25-year old techie shares how he built a 20 lakh portfolio in 3 years while earning under 10 lpa
A 25-year-old tech professional built a 20 lakh investment portfolio in three years on a salary under 10 lakh. He attributed his success to disciplined saving, investing 80-85% of his income, and living with parents to minimize expenses.
I asked ChatGPT: How to build 10 crore retirement corpus? The answer was a wake up call
Investing in mutual funds varies by age to build a 10 crore corpus. Younger investors benefit from compounding over decades, while older investors face increased monthly requirements.
Planning a 15-year mutual fund investment? Heres a simple 4-scheme portfolio approach
A long-term investor with Rs 10 lakh and a 15-year horizon can build a simple four-fund mutual fund portfolio combining a Nifty index fund and flexi-cap funds. The strategy focuses on disciplined investing, diversification, and staying invested through volatility to generate sustainable wealth over time despite market fluctuations.
Gold monetisation scheme: Govt plans e-gold units to unlock idle gold, boost liquidity
Proposal to offer dematerialise units of idle physical gold for future fast-track sales, loans and jewellery conversion. Move to unlock idle gold in India to reduce import and foreign exchange drain
Gold and silver prices remained stable in India's retail market on Saturday, May 2. Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver today in major cities of the country.
If you have children especially a young family a popular rule of thumb is to choose a term long enough to see them out of the house and through college.
6 personal finance mistakes to avoid in May 2026 for a stronger financial future
Avoid costly personal finance mistakes in May 2026 for stronger financial growth as poor planning, emotional investing and debt misuse can erode long term wealth stability and returns.
Fresh developments around the 8th Pay Commission updates include regional visits, extended deadlines, and key meetings shaping pay, pension, and allowance reforms for central government employees, pensioners, and associated stakeholders across India.
Bank holiday today: Are SBI, HDFC Bank, and other banks closed on Saturday, May 2?
Banks in India are open today, May 2, 2026, as it is the first Saturday of the month. They will be closed on May 9, May 23, and May 27 as per the RBI's holiday schedule. Online banking and ATMs remain operational during holidays.
I asked ChatGPT: SIP or home loan prepayment what's better? The answer was surprisingly logical
As a 40-year-old married person with one kid, here's how you can repay your home and car loans while investing in SIPs. Follow this balanced approach to secure financial stability in the long run, as AI said.
P2P portfolio: Should you invest in peer-to-peer lending to earn high returns? Experts weigh in
P2P: In peer-to-peer lending, individual lenders offer unsecured loans directly to borrowers via RBI-regulated online platforms.
Are you paying active fees for a passive fund?
Active share helps you spot whether your active fund is actually just tracking the index at a higher cost.
Should you replace 5 credit card EMIs with 1 personal loan? ChatGPT explains
I asked ChatGPT if I should consolidate 5 credit card EMIs into a single EMI by taking a personal loan. Check what the AI chatbot said:
ITR filing 2026: Who can claim meal card benefit before 31 July deadline? Rules explained
The revised tax treatment for employer-provided meal benefits raises the tax-exempt value to 200 per meal from 50, effective 1 April 2026. Here's who can claim it.
Transform your mindset with powerful personal finance books that build wealth habits, sharpen money decisions, and guide you towards long-term financial freedom through simple, practical and timeless investing principles.
For a Bengaluru-based Software Development Engineer who is starting out in her/his career, aims to accumulate a corpus of 1 crore in 15 years. Here's how to do it with SIP plans, as suggested by ChatGPT.
Boosting rural financial inclusion, India Post Payments Bank launches SHG Savings Account to empower women-led SHGs with zero balance banking, doorstep services and secure savings across India.
Can you go to jail for cheque bounce? Section 138 explained
Can a cheque bounce land you in jail? Check what Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act covers: the legal process, penalties, and how to protect yourself.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap among top 5 flexicap funds with highest risk-adjusted returns. Check details
Sharpe ratio measures risk-adjusted returns, showing excess return per unit of risk. Top flexi-cap funds deliver strong three-year performance with relatively high Sharpe ratios, indicating efficient balance between risk and returns.
EPFO updates: Key changes and new rules for employees' provident fund subscribers in 2026
EPFO has recently made changes to streamline compliance and improve access for provident fund subscribers, including a new unified Form 121 effective from 1 April, and plans for a portal to link old PF accounts. Details here.
PPFAS Mutual Fund among 15 AMCs to offer voluntary lock-in for folios. Here is how Sebis rule works
Mutual fund investors can now temporarily block withdrawals and debits from their folios, with 15 AMCs, including PPFAS Mutual Fund, rolling out a voluntary lock-in facility. This Sebi-introduced framework offers enhanced safety and control, applicable to both demat and non-demat holdings, and is accessible via MF Central.
Looking for best equity MFs to invest for 3 years? Check these 6 funds with over 27% returns
Bajaj Finance FD rates have jumped to 7.40%, offering higher returns for long-term investors, while senior citizens can now earn up to 7.75% with improved tenure flexibility. Check out the complete details and consult certified financial advisors before investing.
Equity mutual funds saw strong performance in April 2026. Nearly 25 funds delivered over 25% returns, led by sectoral and thematic options. Many funds offered double-digit gains, while a few experienced minor losses. Investors are advised to consider SIPs for flexi-cap funds and include mid-cap options for consistent performance amid expected market fluctuations.
Kotak Mutual Fund temporarily suspends subscriptions in its 4 international funds
Kotak Mutual Fund has temporarily restricted subscriptions in four international funds, allowing investments up to Rs 1 lakh per PAN per month. The move reflects ongoing limits on overseas investments. Existing SIPs will continue, while fresh inflows are capped. The funds have delivered strong returns over the past year.
Best mutual fund SIP portfolios to invest in May 2026
ETMutualFunds presents recommended mutual fund portfolios for May 2026. These portfolios cater to conservative, moderate, and aggressive investors. They are designed for SIP investments across various amounts. The selection methodology considers rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance, and asset size for equity, debt, and hybrid funds. This guide helps investors build portfolios for long-term goals.
Applying for a loan, requesting a credit report? Here's how your credit score is calculated in India
Credit scores, ranging from 300-900, indicate credit risk to lenders based on past behavior. Scores can be improved through timely repayments and responsible financial habits. Here's what factors determine your score
The central bank has updated its rules for auto-debit transactions by customers this month. Here's a look at what changes the RBI has mandated for digital payments using credit and debit cards and UPI.
