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The Union Ministry of Finance has made moves to enable merchant discount rates on UPI and proposed scrapping the zero MDR provision. We take a look at what this decision could mean for UPI customers.
REITs and REIT mutual funds offer investors exposure to the real estate sector but differ in structure, taxation, and returns. While REITs focus on rental income from properties, REIT funds combine REIT exposure with real estate equities.
If a similar mutual fund with a proven track record already exists in the market, experts say investors should prefer an established scheme unless the NFO offers a genuinely differentiated strategy that complements their portfolio and investment goals.
Only two value funds have negative alpha, indicating they lag their benchmark indices, while Quant Value Fund and DSP Value Fund record the highest positive alpha. The contrast in alpha was also reflected in return performance, with the positive-alpha funds delivering better returns.
Finance Ministry has approved an increase in EPF wage ceiling to 25,000 monthly from current 15,000, as per a Moneycontrol report. If approved this would expand coverage to more salaried workers.
F&O trading is treated as non-speculative business income and must be reported under business income in ITR. For AY 2026-27, taxpayers need to disclose F&O turnover and income in dedicated fields in ITR forms. They also need to comply with tax audit and carry-forward rules.
DA, 7,500 minimum monthly pension, medical facilities Here's what the EPS95 National Agitation Committee is seeking from the government. It has warned of a protest on 5 August if demands are not met.
SEBI's new GARUDA framework has brought Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) into the spotlight. While the industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, AIFs remain less familiar than mutual funds. Here's how experts explain the investment vehicle, who it is meant for and how SEBI classifies it.
PhonePe Mutual Funds sees 5X growth in Daily SIP transactions driven by demand from smaller cities
PhonePe Mutual Funds onboarded over 500,000 unique investors into its Daily SIP product. Nearly seventy-seven percent of these customers came from tier-two and tier-three cities. Daily SIP transactions increased nearly five-fold between January and June 2026. Younger investors aged eighteen to twenty-nine formed fifty-eight percent of the investor base. This feature allows small, regular contributions, aligning with daily cash flows.
Monsoon damage isn't limited to leaks and flooding. Experts explain what home insurance covers, key exclusions, and why both homeowners and tenants should review their policies.
Flexi-cap funds stay 61% invested in large caps, multi-cap funds remain balanced: Report
Despite flexibility in their mandate, flexi-cap funds remain more biased towards large-cap stocks, with 61% allocation. On the other hand, multi-cap funds maintain a more balanced exposure across large, mid, and small-cap segments.
Although payments for Annapurna Bhandar are generally credited in a phased manner during the first week of the month, many bank accounts have yet to receive the funds
Delhi has approved 100% salary hike for DDMA personnel, including project officers, district project officers, and project coordinators. The first such in 16 years, since the positions were created in 2009.
A Delhi couple won 15.5 lakh in compensation after Axis Bank lost their original property papers and failed to return them after the closure of their 1.41 crore home loan. The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled on the case.
These 8 equity mutual funds lost over 10% return in July. Do you own any in your portfolio?
Eight international equity mutual funds posted double-digit losses in July, led by Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund. Experts attribute the decline to a correction in global technology and AI stocks.
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank hike FCNR rates Check here for how much interest depositors now get
India's largest private sector lenders HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank have both hiked their FCNR (Bank) interest rates this month. Check here for how much fixed deposit interest NRI depositors now get
Should investors redeem equity mutual funds after strong returns? Here's when rebalancing matters
Portfolio reviews every six to 12 months are generally sufficient for long-term investors, according to Prableen Bajpai of FinFix Research and Analytics. She advises rebalancing only when asset allocation deviates meaningfully, financial goals approach, or major life events warrant a review.
Passive funds go niche: should you bet on sectoral or thematic funds?
Passive investing has moved beyond broad-market indices. As sectoral and thematic index funds multiply, experts explain the opportunities, risks and who should actually invest.
Why aligning incentives a better alternative to capping insurance commissions
India scrapped insurance commission caps in 2023, but calls to revive them are growing. Evidence suggests transparency, staggered payouts and disclosurenot capsare more effective at curbing mis-selling.
This international mutual fund resumes subscription. Should you invest or wait?
Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund is once again open to fresh subscriptions after a brief pause. Following regulatory nods, the fund aims to efficiently handle overseas investment limits. Investors should avoid market timing; instead, utilizing SIPs or STPs for cost averaging is encouraged. For those seeking global exposure, consider alternatives like GIFT City products or global ETFs.
PM VBRY: Link Aadhaar with bank account in 8 simple steps to enable Direct Benefit Transfer
PM VBRY beneficiaries can enable Direct Benefit Transfer by linking their Aadhaar with a bank account through NPCI. This guide explains the eight key steps, offline Aadhaar seeding, and how completing the process helps ensure timely incentive payments.
Small-cap funds dominated one-year SIP returns, with six schemes crossing the 20% mark and four featuring among the top five performers. Bank of India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 40.05% annualised SIP return.
How do Fed rates impact the Indian markets and your money?
The US Federal Reserve's interest-rate decisions influence currencies, markets and borrowing costs worldwide. Here's how a Fed pause can affect India's economy, investments and your finances.
Sensex, Nifty underperform over 2 years, but these 3 mutual funds deliver double-digit gains
Benchmark indices like Sensex and Nifty 50 showed negative returns over two years. However, select midcap, smallcap, and multicap funds delivered double-digit gains. These funds benefited from active stock selection and exposure to different market segments. Experts advise a balanced approach, combining index and actively managed funds. Investors should focus on asset allocation and gradual investments through SIPs.
A Kerala consumer court ordered Federal Bank to pay 1.25 lakh after blocking a customer's international debit card without prior notice. The ruling reinforces that banks must communicate card blocks promptly, especially when customers are travelling abroad.
Gold and silver prices today, 3 August: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
8th Pay Commission: Employee unions are seeking annual increments of up to 7%. Illustrative projections show how 3%, 5% and 6% annual increments could significantly increase central government employees' basic pay over five years through compounding.
Can unpaid business expenses be claimed as tax deduction? ITAT Mumbai's ruling explains when you can
A redevelopment firm won tax relief after the ITAT ruled its 8 crore tenant compensation provision was not contingent. The order explains when unpaid business liabilities can still be claimed as deductible expenses.
Filed your ITR before 31 July but found an error later? Tax expert explains who can revise and how
Filed your ITR before the 31 July deadline but spotted an error later? Eligible taxpayers can still revise their return under Section 139(5). Here's who can file a revised ITR, the process and the key documents to verify.
Women, younger borrowers and non-metro regions are driving credit growth in the country. The number of eligible Indians opting for loans has jumped from 34% in 2017 to 74% in 2026.
Small-cap funds have emerged as the best-performing equity category in FY27 so far, delivering an average return of 22.31% between 1 April and 31 July. They were followed by mid-cap funds with 17.22%, flexi-cap funds with 14.06%, and large-cap funds with 10.52% returns.
How to calculate capital gains on NPS Tier II withdrawals
The eNPS portal does not currently provide a separate capital gains statement for Tier II accounts. Here's how withdrawals may be taxed and what investors need to know.
Income-tax returns: The due date for ITR-1 and 2 passed on 31 July, but taxpayers using ITR-3 and 4 have time to complete their process. Amid the tax season, we explain what invoices and documents employees should retain to support tax-free reimbursements.
With international mutual funds facing investment restrictions due to overseas limits, investors can explore domestic mutual funds with significant foreign equity exposure. A total of 15 equity and hybrid funds have invested in foreign stocks, including two schemes with more than 26% exposure.
Want to check your employees provident fund (EPF) balance, contributions, interest earned or download your passbook? Here's how you can do so using the official EPFO portal, Umang app, SMS, missed call or helpline.
A 100% debt portfolio delivered an average annual return of 6.79% with volatility of 6.38%. However, adding a 10% equity allocation improved returns to 7.99% while reducing volatility to 5.76%, showing that higher equity exposure does not always translate into higher portfolio risk.
The 8th central pay commission (CPC) has closed its window for data submission this week. Here's a look at the latest updates on its group consultations process before the panel makes its recommendations.
Delhi Lakshmi Yojana portal received 33,730+ registrations within 12 hours of its launch on 1 August. The scheme offers eligible women 2,500 per month. Women aged 21-60 years, with annual family income up to 2.5 lakh and meeting other criteria, can apply.
Looking for top SIP performers? These 7 equity mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in 10 years
Only seven diversified equity mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of over 20% in the last 10 years, excluding sectoral and thematic schemes. A 10,000 monthly SIP in these funds grew to as much as 38.8 lakh, with small- and mid-cap funds dominating the rankings.
Multi-asset allocation funds attracted nearly 38,027 crore in H1 2026, about seven times the inflows into balanced advantage funds. The gap was driven by strong gold and silver returns, investor return-chasing behaviour, and fresh fund launches in the multi-asset category.
Dearness Allowance or DA is a percentage of basic salary, reviewed twice annually, and aimed at offsetting the impact of inflation for government employees and pensioners. Here's a look at all the dearness allowance announcements so far
Financial experts say behavioural biases such as recency bias, loss aversion and FOMO often lead investors to buy after rallies and sell during market corrections.
Though PPF comes with a lot of benefits, some common mistakes can make you lose key benefits or shrink your final corpus. Here's everything you need to know.
The July 31 ITR filing deadline has passed, but many taxpayers still have time to file their returns. Here's who must file by August 31, October 31 or November 30 under the revised filing calendar for AY 2026-27.
The deadline for ITR filing has passed, yet a viral claim about a Pune CA earning 12 lakh from nearly 400 clients during this peak tax season has sparked debate.
Know Your Fund Manager | Gaurav Chopra, Fund Manager Equity at Union AMC
With over a decade of experience in equity research, portfolio management and fund management, Union Mutual Fund's fund manager shares his career journey, investment philosophy and the principles that guide his approach to creating long-term wealth for investors.
How health insurance portability is becoming a trap for policyholders
Portability, a framework designed to benefit policyholders, is increasingly being driven by sales incentives, despite regulations prohibiting it. Consequently, the weakest link becomes the advice provided by the intermediary facilitating the switch, often with little accountability.
Why fixed income remains a portfolio stabiliser during uncertain times
Investors face geopolitical risks and inflation pressures, leading to increased focus on fixed-income securities. Experts advise on building diversified bond portfolios across ratings and maturities to limit volatility, sustain income, and achieve financial goals effectively.
Edelweiss Mutual Fund is launching India's first REITs-oriented index fund, the Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund, offering investors diversified exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a single passive fund. The NFO opens on August 5 and closes on August 19, with the fund aiming to provide tax-efficient access to the listed real estate ecosystem.
Mutual fund NFOs: 7 new funds will open for subscription this week. Check dates
Seven mutual fund NFOs from Kotak, Motilal Oswal, AlphaGrep, JioBlackRock, Edelweiss and Franklin India will open for subscription this week. The offers span index funds, ETFs, a fund of funds and a short-duration debt scheme, with minimum investments ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 5,000.
What happens to your EPF account when you take a career break for 12 years? Explained
Taking a career break allows your EPF account to remain active, continuing to earn interest until you turn 58. You can withdraw up to 75% after unemployment, but tax applies unless you've completed five years of continuous service before withdrawal.
The Telangana High Court has ruled that taxpayers cannot lose Section 54F capital gains exemption solely because a builder delayed completing or registering a home. The judgment says delays beyond the taxpayer's control should not defeat the tax benefit if the investment has already been made.
Equity mutual funds gained up to 6% in last week of July. Check top 15 with over 3% gain
Equity mutual funds delivered gains up to six percent in the last week of July. Top performers included technology and transportation sector funds which saw significant returns. SBI Technology Opp Fund and Aditya Birla SL Digital India Fund led the gains. ICICI Pru Transportation and Logistics Fund also performed well during this period. Several other tech and logistics funds also registered positive returns.
SCSS provides government-backed safety and regular quarterly income, while Small Finance Bank FDs offer flexibility and competitive rates. Explore a detailed comparison of returns, risk, liquidity and tax advantages before choosing the right retirement investment strategy.
Bank holidays this week: SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB and other banks across India will be closed for upto three days this week, but digital platforms like UPI and banking apps will remain operational.
The motorcycle and the Ferrari: when to indulge and when to hold back
Buy the Ferrari, by all means, on the day you become the person who has earned it. Until then, it's fine to admire one zooming past, and getting on with the un-Ferrari years that are the real work.
US President Donald Trump's policies have pushed up inflation, which has increased the potential social security payouts for Americans in 2027, and threatened to put the US' retirement programme at risk.
UPI transactions hit record 29.9 lakh crore in July; volume rises to 23.66 billion
UPI transactions hit a record 29.9 lakh crore in July, with 23.66 billion transactions. The value marked a 19% annual growth compared to last year, solidifying UPI's position in India's digital payment ecosystem.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is considering one-time regularisation of contractual employees and extending entry-pay, DA, allowances, leaves and other benefits to them. Here's all we know
ITR filing due date: More than 5.9 crore income-tax returns were filed for AY 202627 by 31 July. Taxpayers filing the ITR-3 and ITR-4 (Sugam) forms must do so by 31 August and 31 October, respectively.
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana: When is the August 3,000 payment likely to arrive?
Beneficiaries of the Annapurna Bhandar scheme are inquiring about the August 2026 credit date. The scheme replaces TMC's Lakshmi Bhandar, offering 3,000 monthly aid.
The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana aims to empower eligible women by providing 2,500 in monthly assistance. Women aged 21 to 60 from households with an income of under 2.5 lakh can apply, with a local MLA or MP's recommendation required for a transparent application process.
EPFO fast-tracks PF withdrawals, aims to settle claims within 2448 hours check details here
The EPFO aims to settle fresh PF withdrawal claims within the same day or a maximum of two days, easing access to savings for members. Details here.
The revised EPF Scheme no longer permits employees to withdraw their entire PF balance after just two months of unemployment. Check the recent withdrawal rules here.
Bandhan Small Cap among 4 small caps that delivered over 20% CAGR since their respective inception
The top four small-cap mutual funds have delivered over 20% CAGR since their inception. Here's a detailed look at their AUM, inception dates, and performance. (Source: MF Screener)
The July 31 deadline has passed, but belated filings are possible until December 31, 2026, with late fees and interest applicable. How to file ITR after due date, who gets more time, consequences, and other details here.
100 invested daily through a mutual fund SIP can potentially grow to over 1 crore in 25 years. Check how compounding, disciplined investing and starting early can help build long-term retirement wealth while understanding the risks of market-linked investments.
Planning investments in midcap mutual funds? Check these 5 funds with upto 25% gain in 3 years
Indias consumer giants plan fresh price hikes; heres when the higher rates could reach store shelves
Consumer companies in India are gearing up for another round of price hikes, which could impact people's household expenses. This rise is attributed to a surge in commodity prices amid prolonged US-Iran conflict in West Asia. Details here.
Explained: How the 8-4-3 rule of compounding can help you reach Rs 1 crore sooner
Disciplined investing and compounding accelerate wealth growth towards a Rs 1 crore corpus. The 8-4-3 rule demonstrates how initial investments grow significantly over time. Higher investment returns and frequent compounding periods reduce the time needed to reach financial goals. Starting early and investing consistently maximizes the benefits of compounding for wealth accumulation. Time is a crucial advantage, allowing investments to multiply substantially with regular contributions.
When investors think about financial mistakes, they often measure them in rupee terms. One common misstep is temporarily pausing SIP investments and restarting them later. Here's how interrupting your SIP contributions can derail your long-term financial goals, according to ET Wealth.
Own an EV? Heres why a regular ICE vehicle insurance policy won't cut it
The real protection for your EV lies in specific covers like EV Shield, which is offered as an add-on to cover batteries. An EV Shield is essential as it specifically covers the battery, electric panel, and charging equipment.
Indias first REIT index fund to launch in August: Should you invest in it?
The REIT index fund provides access to commercial real estate at a low cost, with diversification and liquidity, and in a tax-efficient manner.
August will bring various financial updates for consumers, including changes in banking rules, credit card regulations, and the implementation of CKYC 2.0. Key deadlines include the income tax return filing due by August 31. Full list here.
The Delhi government approved the Lakshmi Yojana, allowing eligible women aged 21-60 to receive 2,500 monthly. An online application portal will launch on August 1, with the first payment expected around Raksha Bandhan.
EPFO members who find their account blocked, can't remember their UAN password, are unable to access their passbook or have KYC pending can check how to fix issues using the portal or Umang app.
The patience payoff: How a 30,000 monthly SIP swells into 50 lakh by 2034
The initial years of SIP investing often require considerable patience. Even with disciplined monthly contributions, many investors feel disappointed as their portfolio appears to grow slowly due to market volatility and a relatively small investment base
Annapurna Yojana: No money in bank account yet? Check what to do if your application gets rejected
Many women in West Bengal applied for the Annapurna Yojana but haven't received financial aid. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari set a payment deadline for August while verification continues.
8th pay commission announces state visit to Chandigarh in September 2026 Check dates, other details
The 8th pay commission has announced its official three-day state visit to the union territory of Chandigarh in September. It will hold meetings with employee unions and stakeholders from Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Moody upgrades JSW Steel to global investment grade Baa3
This rating is a recognition of the strength and resilience of JSW Steels business - our scale as Indias largest steel producer, our cost-competitive operations across multiple locations, and the quality of assets we have built over the years, said Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and chief executive at JSW Steel.
Mumbai records best-ever July property registrations, stamp duty collections
Mumbai's property market achieved its best-ever July performance with strong housing demand. The city recorded its highest-ever property registrations and stamp duty collections for July. This sustained buyer confidence reflects resilient end-user demand and enduring confidence in homeownership. Infrastructure upgrades and improved connectivity continue to support residential demand across micro-markets. Industry experts anticipate healthy transaction activity supported by new housing supply and redevelopment.
Maruti Suzuki is investing Rs 561 crore in four compressed biogas manufacturing projects. This move supports India's transition to cleaner mobility and reduces fuel imports. The company's first-quarter profitability declined due to higher raw material costs. Despite this, vehicle sales increased significantly, aided by a new manufacturing plant. Maruti Suzuki's net sales rose, but net profit saw a decline.
Pensionbazaar strengthens its corporate NPS platform to simplify retirement planning
Pensionbazaar has improved its Corporate National Pension System offering. This aims to make retirement planning more accessible and seamless for employees. The platform simplifies onboarding, contribution management, and account servicing for employers. Employees can now digitally manage their retirement corpus and track progress easily. This initiative seeks to make retirement planning a workplace priority and a natural financial journey.
Baba Ramdevs next stretch: Patanjali takes the insurance route
Loan growth remains strong, shows latest RBI sectoral data
Banking credit to industries showed robust growth, increasing 19.2 percent year on year. Personal loan growth also remained strong, rising 16 percent compared to last year. Medium enterprises experienced the fastest credit growth, surging 30 percent year on year. Petroleum, coal products, and gems and jewellery sectors saw significant expansion. Loan against gold jewellery emerged as the fastest growing personal loan segment.
DA hike: Central government employees and retired pensioners are expecting a second increase in dearness allowance this year, sometime in the second half as a Diwali gift during the festive season.
1.1 trillion blind spot: How ignoring employee health is costing Indian businesses
The largest hidden cost is presenteeismwhere employees show up to work but cannot perform at their full capacity. This phenomenon accounts for 51,000 crore of the total annual cost to employers.
Health insurance: Co-payment vs deductible explained. Which one should you choose?
Having a clear understanding of co-payments and deductibles in health insurance can help policyholders estimate out-of-pocket costs, compare plans, and avoid claim surprises. This guide explains how both clauses work, their impact on premiums, and how to choose the right policy.
Mutual fund NFOs: 5 new funds are open for subscription now. Check dates and key details
Five new mutual fund offers are currently open for subscription, including two ETFs, two domestic FoFs and one flexi-cap fund, giving investors fresh options across diverse investment categories.
6 smallcap mutual funds deliver over 20% return in 6 months. Do you own any?
Six smallcap mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in the past six months, led by Bank of India Small Cap Fund, reflecting strong performance in the segment, according to ACE MF data.
