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Taxpayers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad can soon benefit from increased house rent allowance tax relief. The government proposes extending the 50% HRA exemption to these cities under the old tax regime. This change, effective April 1, 2026, aims to provide significant savings for salaried individuals.
I-T dept invites stakeholder views on draft rules under new Income Tax Act
The Income Tax department on Sunday said it has invited inputs and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft tax rules and forms under the new Income Tax Act, 2025, which will come into effect from April 1. To encourage wider stakeholder participation, the proposed Income Tax Rules, 2026, and corresponding Forms have been uploaded on the official website: www.incometaxindia.gov.in before their final notification, it added. As part of a wider consultative process, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) invites inputs and suggestions from stakeholders in the following four categories - simplification of language, reduction of litigation, reduction of compliance burden and identification of redundant/obsolete rules and forms, the I-T department said in a statement. Stakeholders are encouraged to study the same and make suggestions, which will be compiled and considered for review before final notification, it said. To facilitate this, a utility has been launched on the e-filing .
E-way bill generation hits second-highest level in January at 136.83 mn
E-way bill generation rose to 136.83 million in January, the second-highest monthly level on record, marking a 42.6 per cent year-on-year increase amid stronger goods movement
ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 45, married, with a school-going child and dependent parents. I have employer health insurance of Rs.5 lakh and an additional personal policy of Rs.3 lakh. Is this cover adequate?
Mutual fund NFOs: 8 new funds will open for subscription this week. Check dates and details
Sunil Singhanias Abakkus Mutual Fund crosses Rs 3,000 crore AUM in less than 2 months
The fund house posted on social media platform X, Every milestone is built one disciplined step at a time. Crossing Rs 3,000 crore AUM is not just a number; its your trust, our discipline, and a shared journey of steady growth. Thank you for being part of this journey.
SBI Q3 PAT up 24% on strong loan growth, stable asset quality
The bank received a special dividend of 2,200 crore from its subsidiary SBI MF, and it intends to complete IPO process of the company before 2026 end, Chairman CS Setty said
The Income Tax Department has released draft Income Tax Rules, 2026, and forms for public feedback, aiming to simplify taxpayer experience and align with the Income Tax Act, 2025. These new rules, set to replace the 1962 rules and become effective from April 1, 2026, introduce simplified language, standardized information, and smart forms with pre-fill capabilities.
Income-tax Rules: The Income Tax Department has released draft Income-tax Rules, 2026, effective April 1, 2026, simplifying ITR filing forms and procedures. These draft rules, open for public feedback until February 22, 2026, aim to reduce compliance burden through standardized, smart forms with prefill and reconciliation capabilities.
Bitcoin on shaky ground as crypto markets seesaw
Bitcoins price drop linked to thin liquidity and market volatility
Karur Vysya Bank inaugurates 900th branch in Chennai
The Karur-headquartered bank reported a total business of 2.11 lakh crore as on December 31, 2025
SBI Q3 PAT up 24% on stable NII growth
Gross advances grew 15% y-o-y to 46.83 lakh crore in Q3, while deposits rose 9% y-o-y to 57.01 lakh crore
The 8th Central Pay Commission has launched its official website and a questionnaire. This initiative seeks valuable opinions and inputs from various stakeholders, including government employees and pensioners.
Kotak denies filing bid to acquire IDBI Bank
On Friday, various media reports had said that the Centre has received financial bids to acquire IDBI Bank from Prem-Watsa-backed Fairfax, Emirates NBD and Kotak
Edelweiss Gold and Silver ETF FoF among top 5 commodity ETFs for 3 year investment period
Commodity-focused ETFs have delivered strong three-year returns, led by gold and silver funds. Edelweiss and Motilal Oswal top the list, while UTI, SBI and Quantum offerings provide diversified exposure for investors with a medium-term horizon seeking stability and inflation protection.
Planning to save Rs 25,000 monthly? Here is how much you will generate in 25 years
A monthly SIP of Rs 25,000 invested over 25 years can help investors build a substantial corpus through disciplined investing. This analysis explains how investment horizon, expected returns and regular contributions shape long-term wealth creation, while highlighting the importance of goal-based planning before starting a SIP.
New baggage rules 2026: How much gold and silver can you carry from abroad?
Sovereign gold bond : The Reserve Bank of India has set the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bonds, Series XI, issued in February 2021. Investors can redeem these bonds after five years.
HDFC Bank lending rates after RBI announcement: Has bank changed MCLR rates for some of its tenures?
HDFC Bank has lowered its Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rates by 5 basis points on specific loan tenures. This change will benefit borrowers with loans linked to this regime. The revised rates will be effective from February 7, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India has kept its repo rate unchanged.
Quant Small Cap Fund exits ONGC and 3 others, adds Gillette India in its portfolio in January
Quant Small Cap Fund reshuffled its portfolio in January 2026, exiting ONGC and three other stocks while adding Gillette India. The fund increased exposure to select small cap names, reduced stakes in a few holdings, and maintained positions across 83 stocks, according to its latest monthly factsheet.
The Supreme Court ruled that a tenant's long-term possession of a property does not automatically finalize a sale agreement, even with partial payment. The court emphasized that possession must stem directly from the sale agreement, not from an independent tenancy, to be considered a deemed conveyance. The sale agreement was admitted as evidence, but ownership remains undecided pending further trial.
Saturday Bank Holiday 2026: Are banks open or closed today on February 7, 2026?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues an yearly holiday calendar where state-specific holidays are mentioned. Customers can also utilize digital banking services for various transactions.
Expect policy rates to be low for a longer period: RBI Guv
Underlying inflation is low, even forecasts are much lower than the inflation target, says Sanjay Malhotra
RBI removes investment cap under voluntary retention route for FPIs
The RBI has removed the Rs 2.5-trillion investment cap under the voluntary retention route for FPIs to deepen bond markets, enhance capital flow stability and encourage long-term foreign participation
RBI to roll out risk-based premium model for deposit insurance from April
The Reserve Bank of India will replace the flat-rate deposit insurance premium with a risk-based framework from April 2026, aiming to reward stronger banks and encourage better risk management
Risk-based deposit insurance framework to be ushered in for Banks from April 1st
DICGC said based on the risk assessment score obtained using its internal rating methodology, each bank will be categorised into four groups, namely A, B, C and D
Nearly 51% people report losing money to online scam, shows survey
A new survey shows online scams are widespread in India, with most users encountering fraud attempts daily and many falling prey to impersonation, QR code traps and emerging deepfake threats
RBI eases norms for small NBFCs, exempts non-customer-facing firms
The Reserve Bank of India has eased compliance for low-risk NBFCs by exempting certain non-customer-facing firms from registration and proposing to drop prior approval norms for branch expansion
Macro fundamentals, including external sector, are strong and healthy: RBI
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says India's macro fundamentals and external sector remain robust as borrowing, liquidity and rate outlook stay comfortable
RBIs type-1 NBFC proposal may halve number of NBFCs
Gold loan NBFCs with over 1,000 branches may no longer need prior RBI approval for opening new branch
RBI steps up credit delivery, allows REIT lending and doubles MSME loan cap
The central bank has proposed allowing banks to lend to REITs and doubled collateral-free loan limits for MSMEs, signalling a stronger push to widen credit access amid robust loan growth
Surge in gold loan growth not a cause of concern: Reserve Bank of India
Banks are shifting from unsecured loans to gold-backed lending amid rising gold prices, but RBI says low LTVs and limited exposure pose no systemic risk
Sundaram Home Finance eyes 500 crore Emerging Business disbursements this fiscal
Sundaram Home Finances Emerging Business branch network doubles to 100 in 12 months; expansion accelerates beyond Tamil Nadu
Life insurance industrys new awareness campaign reaches 35.5 crore people across all channels
During the initial three-month period (JulySeptember, 2025), the Sabse Pehle Life Insurance campaign had reached approximately 31 crore people overall, including 17 crore through digital channels
PSL classification lapses limited to few banks, not system-wide: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India said recent issues flagged in priority sector lending classification at some large private banks are isolated cases, and announced plans to issue revised instructions
RBI sets up committee to review business correspondent guidelines
The Reserve Bank of India has constituted a committee to review the regulatory framework for business correspondents, with draft guideline amendments to be released soon for public consultation
RBI proposes one-time compensation of up to 25,000 for victims of digital fraud
To introduce guidelines on advertising financial products to curb mis-selling; harmonise recovery norms
RBI will continue to meet the country's currency needs: Governor Malhotra
The value and volume of banknotes in circulation increased by 6.0 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively, during 2024-25
RBI doubles collateral-free loan limit for MSEs from 10 lakh to 20 lakh
RBI data shows the industry segment recorded 13.3% year-on-year growth as of December 31, 2025, with MSEs leading at 31%, followed by medium enterprises at 20.4% and large enterprises at 7.5%, highlighting the sectors growing contribution to Indias industrial landscape.
RBI proposes a discussion paper for digital payments safeguards
Decision on UPI MDR in govt's domain: RBI governor
Farm sector to get a leg-up, revised KCC guidelines in the works
The Governor noted that the RBI has comprehensively reviewed the KCC scheme with a view to expand coverage, streamline operational aspects and address emerging requirements
Budget 2026 brings a major tax relief for unexplained income. The tax rate has been slashed to 39 percent from the earlier 78 percent. This change applies to unexplained credits, investments, and expenditures. Taxpayers can now pay a lower tax on such income. The new provisions aim to simplify tax compliance.
RBI allowing direct bank lending to REITs may speed up asset expansion
Industry executives note that REITs raise debt by issuing securities subscribed to by mutual funds and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)
PFC acquires 52.63% government stake in REC, making it a subsidiary
The acquisition follows in-principle approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and aligns with the Union Budget 202627 plan to consolidate public sector non-banking financial companies
Radhika Gupta urges investors to ignore cats and think like a goldfish amid market chaos
Amid violent swings across stocks, bonds and commodities, Edelweiss MF CEO Radhika Gupta urges investors to be goldfish investors, ignoring noise, avoiding emotional asset switches, and sticking to long-term goals, discipline and asset allocation despite short-term volatility and market cycles.
RBI to compensate digital fraud victims up to 25,000 for first loss
RBI has announced a one-time compensation of up to Rs 25,000 for victims of small-value digital frauds, while also moving to tighten norms on mis-selling and loan recovery practices
RBI mulls relaxation of lending norms for Urban Co-operative Banks
Tiered, simplified framework planned for unsecured loans, housing finance, and member lending limits. For securing the next phase of growth for UCBs, the RBI will soon be launching Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman)- a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework
RBI strengthens customer protection in digital payments with Rs 25,000 fraud cover
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that the central bank will issue three draft guidelines focused on key areas of consumer protection. These will address mis-selling of financial products, recovery of loans and engagement of recovery agents, and limiting customer liability in cases of unauthorised electronic banking transactions. Highlighting growing concerns over digital fraud, Governor Malhotra stated that the central bank is taking further steps to enhance the security of electronic payment systems.
Budget 2026 brings clarity on home loan tax deductions. Prior-period interest on home loans is now explicitly included within the Rs 2 lakh deduction limit for self-occupied properties. This amendment aligns the new Income Tax Act with previous rules. Taxpayers can now understand the total interest deduction cap more clearly. The overall tax benefit for most homeowners remains unchanged.
Top 5 smallcap mutual funds deliver up to 23% annualised returns in 3 years
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts. This move is expected to lower borrowing costs for REITs. Consequently, REITs may distribute more cash to investors. This could lead to higher dividends and better returns for those invested in REITs. The decision aims to boost the real estate sector and investor confidence.
PGIM India MF resumes subscription in 3 international funds
PGIM India Mutual Fund has reopened subscriptions in its three international funds starting February 6. The funds include Global Equity Opportunities Fund of Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Fund of Fund, and Global Select Real Estate Securities Fund of Fund. Fresh SIPs, STPs, Switch-ins, and lump-sum transactions up to Rs 5 lakh per day per investor per scheme are now allowed.
Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund beats benchmark in 6 months; 8,000+ investors join
Over the last six months, the AMC has focused on building a solid operational and investing foundation, with clear processes across investing frameworks, risk management, investor servicing, and compliance.
A Parliamentary committee has deemed it unjustified to charge full fare for unconfirmed RAC train tickets when a passenger shares berths with another passenger. The committee recommended a partial fare refund mechanism for such passengers.
RBI proposes Rs 25,000 compensation for small-value digital frauds
Under a proposed one-time framework, RBI plans to compensate customers for small-value digital frauds up to Rs 25,000, with the central bank and banks sharing the cost
India not selling US Treasury holdings despite forex fluctuations: RBI Guv
The country's holdings of long-term US debt had dropped to a five-year low of $174 billion as of November, down 26 per cent from a 2023 peak, according to US government data
RBI MPC: How mutual fund experts decode rate pause decision for investors
Mutual fund experts decode the RBI MPCs decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, highlighting a shift towards fundamentals-driven investing. While debt investors may focus on accrual strategies, equity investors are advised to prioritise earnings quality, balance-sheet strength, and long-term portfolio stability amid a neutral policy stance.
PM Kisan 22nd Instalment date: Is farmer ID mandatory for all to receive next instalment?
Farmers eagerly await the 22nd PM Kisan instalment of Rs 2,000. Eligible beneficiaries can expect this payment between February and March 2026. eKYC is a mandatory requirement for all PM Kisan registered farmers to receive these benefits.
RBI MPC Today: Repo rate unchanged What does it mean for home loans, FDs and mutual funds?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday decided to keep the key policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent, maintaining a pause after a cumulative easing of 125 basis points over recent months.
Bandhan Small Cap Fund doubles AUM to Rs 20,000 crore in less than 1 year, completes 6 years
Bandhan Small Cap Fund has doubled its assets to Rs 20,000 crore in under a year, reflecting strong investor confidence. The fund follows a disciplined, diversified approach with low portfolio turnover, healthy risk-adjusted returns, and a positive long-term outlook on small-cap equities.
The Reserve Bank of India on Friday announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening customer protection, expanding financial inclusion and improving the flow of credit, as it concluded the Monetary Policy Committee meeting.RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra outlined five key changes that are expected to shape how consumers and enterprises engage with the financial system going forward.
Lost your mid-manager job? A 90-day survival and comeback plan
RBI MPC outcome: What this rate pause means for mutual fund investors?
The RBI has paused the repo rate at 5.25%, signalling stability rather than a policy shift. Experts suggest investors focus on short to medium duration debt funds, accrual-led strategies and selective equity exposure, as returns in 2026 are expected to remain range bound amid cautious global conditions.
RBI ups Q1 and Q2FY27 GDP and CPI inflation projections
Our Mumbai BureauCPI inflation estimate for Q1 and Q2FY27 was raised by 10 bps and 20 bps, respectively
Best small cap mutual funds to invest in February 2026
Mutual fund managers and advisors say the valuations are rich but investors can continue to invest in small cap schemes to create wealth over a long period. According to many mutual fund advisors, even though the small cap segment has run up a lot in the last six months, investors can still invest in these schemes in a staggered manner to create wealth over a long period.
RBI MPC Meeting 2026: RBI holds repo rate at 5.25%
Announcing the policy decision, the Governor said the MPC arrived at the decision after a detailed assessment of evolving macroeconomic conditions and the overall economic outlook
Bank customers who fall victim to small value financial fraud can now receive compensation. The Reserve Bank of India announced this new policy. Victims may get up to Rs 25,000. This decision was made by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The Monetary Policy Committee also kept the policy repo rate unchanged. This aims to protect customers from financial losses.
FD investors breathe easy as RBI pauses rates; how to lock in your investments for better returns
The Reserve Bank of India maintained its repo rate at 5.25%, signaling no immediate change in fixed deposit interest rates. This decision follows a previous cut in December 2025, with inflation and bond yields influencing the RBI's stance. While some banks may still adjust rates due to ongoing transitions, future cuts are contingent on evolving economic factors.
No cut in repo rate by RBI: Here's how can you still save big on home loan EMIs
The Reserve Bank of India maintained its repo rate at 5.25%, meaning home loan EMIs are unlikely to change. While a rate cut didn't occur due to inflation and bond yields, future reductions remain possible. Borrowers can still save on interest through prepayment or refinancing.
Bitcoin plunges to near $60,000 as investors flee risky bets
The worlds largest cryptocurrency was last up 1.64% at $64,153.24 in volatile trade, swinging between gains and losses after having hit a low of $60,008.52 earlier in the session
Thinking of pausing your mutual fund SIPs? A 6 month gap may cost you Rs 2 lakh additional loss
Pausing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can significantly impact long-term wealth accumulation by disrupting rupee cost averaging and missing out on compounding, especially during market dips. While temporary pauses for genuine emergencies are understandable, frequent or fear-driven breaks can derail financial goals and lead to substantial losses.
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Liquid-plus funds turn more attractive for short play as yields rise
Rising short-term bond yields have made liquid-plus funds an attractive option for investors seeking to park idle money for three to six months. These funds offer better returns than bank deposits, with yields on various short-term securities climbing significantly in recent months. Experts suggest considering these funds for near-term financial goals.
A son has won a legal battle in the Delhi High Court. The court has allowed a police investigation into an alleged forged Will. The Will was made by his late father, leaving property to his grandmother and aunt. The aunt and grandmother tried to stop the probe. The court ruled that criminal proceedings can continue alongside civil probate cases.
LICs Q3 standalone net profit up 17% at 12,958 cr
Corporation not in a hurry to foray into the health insurance segment; plans to optimise its real estate holding
Banks make a pitch to delay implementing the amended liquidity coverage ratio framework
They also want a portion of the cash reserve ratio to be recognised as high quality liquid assets for the computation of LCR
PGIM India AMC to take inflows in 3 global funds
The fund house will take upto 5 lakh per day per person in each of the schemes -- PGIM India Global Equity Opportunities Fund of Fund, Emerging Markets Equity FoF, Global Select Real Estate Securities FoF
Bitcoin dips below $70,000, erasing gains since Trump win in 2024
Losses for the year so far now approaching 20%
PhonePe logs 60% rise in active merchant ratio
PhonePe has seen a healthy revenue growth led by an improving monetization illustrated by the rising Revenue/Total Payment Volume ratio
Why Andhra Pradesh High Court refused to raise retirement age from 60 to 62 years
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has rejected pleas to increase the retirement age of employees from state corporations from 60 to 62 years. The court ruled that increasing retirement age is a government policy decision and a cancelled resolution to raise the age cannot be grounds for a directive.
