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The wage ceiling for the Employees Provident Fund has officially increased to Rs 25,000, effective September 17, 2026. This much-needed revision is the first change in wage limits since 2014 and directly impacts mandatory EPF contributions for employees in the organized sector. Those earning up to the new wage ceiling can expect elevated contributions, which will aid in bolstering their retirement plans.
NBFCs see healthy loan demand, resilient asset quality; rate hikes may lift funding costs: Jefferies
The report, based on discussions with nine NBFCs at the Jefferies India Forum 2026, says demand remains strong across key lending segments and early festive-season trends were encouraging
PSBs, RRBs to function normally on a Sunday: Finance Ministry
The proposed strike by UFBU to demandimplementation of 5-day banking coincides with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27
A Will plays a crucial role in outlining how assets will be allocated following an individual's death, which can lead to family disputes if disagreements arise about the testator's intentions. To facilitate property transfers, it is wise to gather important documents such as a no-objection affidavit and release deed. Keeping mutation records up to date and securing an encumbrance certificate is vital for tax purposes.
Top 5 SIFs deliver over 23% in 6 months; QSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short SIF leads
EPF wage limit 15,000 to 25,000: Compare 30-year EPF corpus at 1,800 vs 3,000
If someone is found running a homestay or Airbnb-like service in your society, what can you do? Legally, the societys first step should be a written notice to the owner, pointing to the specific byelaw being broken and backed by evidence. If the owner still doesn't stop, the RWA's real recourse is a civil suit for an injunction.
8th Pay Commission: Nurses demand Level 10 entry pay, OPS, higher allowances; 8 key points
Lets have a look at the latest 22k gold rates at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the updated indicative rates of 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold and 999-purity silver at the IBJA today.
NFO Alert: Tata Mutual Fund announces launch of Titanium Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund
Tata Mutual Fund has launched the Titanium Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund, a multi-asset strategy under its SIF framework. The market-neutral fund dynamically invests across equities, debt, commodities, and derivatives with a minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 lakh. The NFO closes on October 7.
An analysis by ETMutualFunds reveals that 12 equity mutual funds out of 218 schemes delivered over 70% absolute returns across both 3-year and 5-year horizons. Invesco India led with four schemes, followed by Motilal Oswal, while ITI Small Cap Fund posted the highest three-year returns.
In a significant move towards enhancing digital payments, NPCI BHIM Services Limited has introduced MyUPI, a conversational AI assistant seamlessly integrated within the BHIM Payments App.
Husband with Rs 45,000 salary started living in rented house because of wifes pressure to live separately from his parents; Madras HC says this is cruelty and upholds divorce. Justice P.T. Asha and Justice N. Mala of the Madras High Court heard this case.
Supra Pacific Financial Services eyes five-fold expansion; plans 500 branches nationwide
The company is looking to expand its nationwide presence to 500 branches across 15 states over the next three years
Helios Mid Cap among top 5 midcap mutual funds with highest mid and smallcap exposure in August 2026
Here's a list of top five mid cap mutual funds with the highest combined exposure to mid and small cap stocks in August 2026.
IDBI Bank sale: Bank officers body writes to Leaders of Opposition, seeks intervention
In identical letters to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, All-India Bank Officers Association seeks their immediate intervention by raising the matter on the floor of Parliament
Best gilt mutual funds to invest in September 2026
Gilt funds are not recommended to regular debt investors because they are risky and volatile. Gilt funds suffer the most when the rates go up. The bond prices and yields move in opposite directions. When the rates go up, bond prices come down. This drags down the NAVs of schemes.
Axis Bank Share Price Live Updates: Positive Momentum for Axis Bank
Tata Consumer Share Price Live Updates: Tata Consumer Stock Performance
SBI Life Share Price Live Updates: SBI Life's Trading Update
Nestle India Share Price Live Updates: Nestle India Trading Insights
Bharti Airtel Share Price Live Updates: Bharti Airtel's Stock Update
Hindalco Share Price Live Updates: Hindalco's Stock Performance Update
UPI for mutual funds: Benefits, limits and impact of new MDR explained
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enables convenient investment in mutual funds through instant payments and SIPs. Investors appreciate UPI for its ability to process transactions 24/7 and avoid manual input. Recently, a 0.02% merchant discount rate was introduced on certain UPI transactions, affecting one-time investments. However, SIPs under UPI AutoPay remain exempt from this fee, easing investor concerns.
TReDS platforms can now offer CGTMSE-backed guarantee cover for MSME receivables
The mechanism allows financiers to seek guarantee cover for eligible receivables, potentially encouraging wider participation in invoice-based MSME financing
Mastercard exits Pine Labs, sells entire 4.31% stake for 933 crore
The stake changed hands through 13 separate transactions, with mutual funds, an insurer and foreign investors among the buyers
Scheduled Commercial Banks supervisory data quality score rises to 93.3 in June, says RBI
Small finance banks lead at 93.8; PSBs and foreign banks at 93.7 as all categories stay in good band
HDFC Life aims to be top-2 player in all states, says MD & CEO Vibha Padalkar
Over 75% of policies now from tier II and III cities; August growth 70% as protection and retirement products gain traction
With no resolution to its demandfor 5-day banking, Banking unions to go ahead with 3-day strike
IBA informed that as demanded by the UFBU, the productivity linked incentive scheme for scale IV officers and above has been kept in abeyance as per Governments instructions
India Inc may step up corporate bond issuances before rate hike cycle kicks in
Companies may prefer mobilising funds at lower rates before borrowings costs go up
EPFO fund withdrawal rules for illness: How much EPF can you withdraw for medical treatment?
Eligible Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) members can withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance for illness-related expenses after completing 12 months of EPF membership.
UPI vs debit vs credit cards: Will UPI payments with MDR charges still be cheapest? NPCI explains
After the MDR charge announcement on certain merchant UPI transactions, many UPI users are thinking whether they should shift from the UPI to a debit card or a credit card for daily transactions.
Bank credit growth accelerates to 19% as deposit growth rises to 18%: Jefferies
CD ratio around 80%; surplus liquidity at 5 lakh crore as loan-deposit gap narrows
RBI absorbs 71,971 cr via overnight VRRR auction amid huge surplus liquidity
The central bank received bids worth 71,971 crore, which it accepted fully, for a notified amount of 75,000 crore, according to an official release.
8th Pay Commission: Pensioners seek 11-year restoration period of commuted pension, cite HC judgment
8th Pay Commission news: Bharat Pensioners' Samaj has urged the Centre and 8th Pay Commission to reduce the restoration period for commuted pension from 15 to 11 years. The demand follows the Himachal Pradesh High Courts September 16 judgment, which called for examination under changed actuarial conditions. BPS seeks a fresh actuarial review and reforms.
Indian equities ended lower on Tuesday as selling pressure resurfaced toward the close, with Nifty and Sensex falling 0.36% and 0.44%, respectively. Coal India, Eternal and InterGlobe were among the top gainers, while Tata Consumer, Nestle India and Bajaj Finserv featured among the biggest losers across key indices.
Five equity mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of over 19% over 10 years, led by Quant Small Cap at 24.2%. Nippon India Small Cap, Invesco India Mid Cap, Quant ELSS Tax Saver and Union Small Cap also posted strong returns.
Want cheaper flights or easy lounge access? How Air Indias Maharaja Club points can help you
ICICI Prudential Life sees 69% growth in retail protection business in Keralam
ICICI Prudential Life has 31 branches and 20,008 advisors in Keralam
LIC said to lead bidding in NSEs $2.4 billion IPO
The state-owned insurer placed bids worth about 4,500 crore ($470 million), sources aware of the developments said
Helios Flexi Cap Fund reshuffled its portfolio in August, cutting exposure to HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and other holdings while adding to Swiggy, Paytm and several other stocks. The fund also exited five stocks and added two new names. Its portfolio stood at 68 stocks across 26 sectors during the month.
Five smallcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns above 17% over three years as of September 16, 2026. Investors should consider risk appetite, investment horizon and financial goals rather than returns alone.
PhonePe gets UAE nod as UPI monetisation kicks in
The approvals are for Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes and Stored Value Facilities. PhonePe must obtain final regulatory approvals to begin operations in the UAE
EPF wage ceiling at Rs 25,000: What it means for employees, employers and take-home pay
The Union Cabinet approved raising the EPF wage ceiling to Rs 25,000. This change impacts mandatory PF contributions for employers and employees. Actual PF contributions depend on an employee's defined wage structure. Employers must bear their increased PF share as a statutory cost. This enhancement aims to strengthen long-term retirement savings and social security.
The railway employees' new pension guidelines have been announced, slated for implementation in 2026. These provisions classify both death and disability incidents into four specific categories. Notably, Categories B and D are set to receive enhanced pension benefits under this framework. Additionally, the family pension rates differ considerably according to the deceased employee's category, with added protections against any delays in payments and supplementary allowances for caregivers.
Gold rate today: Lets have a look at the latest 22k gold rates at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the updated indicative rates of 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold and 999-purity silver at the IBJA today.
Sunil Singhania-led Abakkus Mutual Fund announces launch of its SIF platform Fokkus
Abakkus Mutual Fund, led by Sunil Singhania, has received SEBI approval to launch its Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) platform under the brand name Fokkus. Approved on 28 August 2026, the platform will offer differentiated equity, debt, and hybrid investment strategies.
Employee with Rs 14.42 lakh salary pays Rs 4.53 lakh income tax in Belgium and asks for credit under the India-Belgium DTAA; Income Tax Dept denied it as no Form 67 was filed; ITAT Bangalore orders relief for him.
My sister gifted me Rs 37 lakh from land sale. Will she have to pay income tax?
ET Wealth Reader's Query: My sister and I received Rs 37 lakh each from the sale of agricultural land in our native place. She has gifted her Rs 37 lakh to me. Will she have to pay capital gains tax on the gift to me?
The Finance Ministry is advising bank employees to refrain from a planned three-day strike initiated by the United Forum of Bank Unions. In response, the Department of Financial Services has sought additional security from the Home Ministry.
PhonePe gets initial UAE central bank nod for payment licenses
UPI transaction charges: Check which payments can now attract a fee from October 2026
Top 5 SIFs deliver over 15% return in 3 months, QSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 SIF leads
Top five Specialised Investment Funds delivered up to 15.21% returns over the three-month period from 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026. According to data from SIF360, QSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund led performance across all SIF strategies, followed by QSIF Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund.
An insurer's attempt to deny a Rs 1 crore accidental death claim based on alleged income inflation backfired. The consumer commission ruled that insurers must prove deliberate misrepresentation, not just suspicion, influenced policy issuance. This landmark decision emphasizes the need for concrete evidence over mere allegations when repudiating claims.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund recorded an impressive 25% return in the last year, surpassing its category average across various time frames. The robust performance is primarily due to heightened demand for generic drugs and recent FDA approvals. Investors are advised to steer clear of merely chasing past successes and instead focus on a sustainable long-term strategy.
Motilal Oswal 5 buy picks: Initiates coverage on Pine Labs, upgrades one & names 3 more to buy now
Bitcoin retreats from eight-month high after dizzying 13% rally
Bitcoin pulled back to about $85,500 after a surge of 13% in four days, supported by broader risk-asset gains, ETF inflows, bullish options positioning, and corporate buying. Analysts debate whether momentum reflects renewed conviction or short covering. Despite improved sentiment, elevated oil prices, Treasury yields, and competition from AI investments remain significant headwinds.
8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commissions report submission and implementation timeline will determine employees arrears. For Level 68 employees, potential arrears depend on the fitment factor and implementation delay. A Level 8 employee may receive nearly Rs 18 lakh for a 24-month delay under a 2.57 fitment factor. However, these are estimates based on basic-pay increases, and actual arrears will depend on the notified recommendations.
RBI issuesDirections on minimum capital requirements for market risk under Basel III for banks
As per the Directions, abank hasthe option to exclude certain structural foreign currency investments from the calculation of Net Open Position(NOP), on both standalone and consolidated basis
Special FCNR (B) deposits final tally at $133 billion: RBI
With the special 85-day FCNR (B) deposit scheme ending on August 31, mobilisation by banks under OFCB route too has slowed
Retiring at 50, 58 or 60: How much EPS pension do you lose by retiring early?
EPS pension calculator: Employees Pension Scheme members can retire early from age fifty. Deferred retirement allows for increased pension amounts after age fifty-eight. An employee with twenty-five years of service and a pensionable salary of twenty-five thousand rupees receives a pension. Early retirement at age fifty reduces the monthly pension significantly. Deferring retirement by two years increases the monthly pension amount.
Earlier in October 2025, 13 types of partial withdrawal provisions were merged into one unified and simplified framework. Prior to the simplification of norms, an EPF member was allowed to withdraw only the employee contribution and interest ranging from 50-100%.
HDFC Securities says 98% of digital transactions insulated from UPI MDR
The brokers UPI transaction share is below 2%, much lower than wider broking industrys reliance on UPI
Equity mutual fund participation is broadening across India, particularly among women and investors in B30 locations. Womens equity allocation rose from 40% in 2020 to 65% in 2025, while B30 equity AUM reached 65.9% in July 2026. Despite market corrections, equity AUM, folios and inflows continued growing, indicating wider investor participation.
Large $127 billion foreign currency deposit mobilisation a 'shot in the arm' for Indian banks: S&P
S&P said the amount is equivalent to about 4.5% of the banking system's deposit base as of March 31, 2026
The PFRDA has unveiled comprehensive operational guidelines for the NPS Swasthya health cover. These guidelines specify minimum contributions, premium costs, and rules for partial withdrawals. NPS Swasthya supports family floater policies for subscribers, their spouses, and children.
ICICI Bank and Eternal among top 5 largecap stocks sold by mutual funds in August. Check details
Largecap stocks saw heavy mutual fund selling in August, with ICICI Bank, Infosys, Eternal, Tech Mahindra and PFC among the top five stocks by net outflows, according to Dolat Capital.
8th Pay Commission HRA calculation: Can Level 10 employees get Rs 57,000 monthly?
Missed ITR deadline and TDS refund is due? Know how to claim your refund before its too late
Missed the ITR filing deadline? Don't panic! You might still claim your TDS refund. Learn about filing belated returns, potential fees, interest, and the crucial condonation process if even that window has passed. Understand the implications for carry-forward losses and deductions. Avoid common mistakes to ensure your refund is processed smoothly.
Today, gold prices saw a minor drop among leading Indian jewellery retailers. Lets have a look at the latest 22k gold rates at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the updated indicative rates of 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold and 999-purity silver at the IBJA today.
EPS pension calculator: Can your monthly pension reach 12,500 after the 25,000 wage ceiling hike?
Petroleum dealers voice concern over MDR, E20 and rising operating costs
The introduction of E20 petrol has also created fresh operational challenges for dealers; dealers report concerns relating to storage, handling, equipment compatibility and material durability
Bitcoin ETFs swing positive as token holds jump above $81,000
The change in sentiment came at the end of a bruising week for digital assets that saw the failure of a landmark US crypto bill and the US Federal Reserves first interest-rate increase in more than three years.
A major disruption in banking services is anticipated as the United Forum of Bank Unions has announced a three-day strike at the end of September 2026. This action will halt operations in bank branches, resulting in an extended closure from September 26 to 30.
The BSE Sensex has experienced a notable drop, raising concerns among investors. Financial analysts recommend avoiding attempts to time the market and encourage maintaining systematic investment plans (SIPs). For those with a long-term outlook, gradually increasing equity allocations is advisable. Additionally, rebalancing portfolios during market corrections is an effective strategy for achieving target asset allocations. Flexi-cap and multi-cap funds may provide a level of stability for fresh investments.
10 lakh investment in gold: Know how physical gold, ETFs & SGBs differ on returns, risk and tax
Bank holiday today: Are banks open or closed in your state today on September 21, 2026?
On September 21, 2026, banks in few states will be closed today in observance of the Janmotsav of Srimanta Sankardeva and the Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru. Meanwhile, banking operations will continue as normal in other parts of India.
Investing overseas? Watch your tech exposure
Many Indian investors mistakenly believe they diversify their portfolios by adding foreign countries. However, numerous global indices often revolve around similar technology narratives, particularly in semiconductors. To achieve real diversification, investors must grasp the fundamental earnings drivers. Exploring Europe and Japan can unveil distinct economic pathways, offering a refreshing contrast. A thorough assessment of concentration risks and market dynamics is vital when engaging in international investments.
2 yrs, no new high: What should equity investors do?
Indian stock markets have languished with nearly two years of stagnant returns since late 2024. This lengthy phase of sideways trading serves as a necessary time correction rather than merely a decline in prices. Historical trends indicate that similar corrections have often extended much longer and deeper. Investors should exercise patience, persist with their SIP strategies, and recognize that moderating valuations and recovering earnings may herald promising future opportunities.
Indias chip push draws $12 billion investment
India is witnessing a surge in investment commitments under its ambitious semiconductor policy, with both global and domestic players pledging billions. Major firms such as Applied Materials and Lam Research are gearing up for noteworthy investments, while Micron Technology is set to initiate local testing and assembly of millions of chips. Meanwhile, Tata Group is enhancing its semiconductor supply chain through innovative partnerships.
Gold loans are no longer just for emergencies
Manish Jain, Country Managing Director, Experian India, discusses the growing demand for gold loans, the lower risk of over-leveraging with enhanced regulation, and the future relevance of credit scores, in a conversation with Riju Mehta.
Ultravolt enters: Will cable margins take a hit?
UltraTech Cement's breakthrough venture, Ultravolt, is set to disrupt India's wires and cables sector, heightening concerns for existing giants like Polycab India and KEI Industries, who are already seeing their stock values dip. With ambitions to secure a top-two market position within five years through bold tactics, Ultravolt's entry will primarily affect the residential market. Yet, the long-term outlook for the industry remains positive due to ongoing structural demand.
Why stock-picking isnt for every retail investor
The internet and AI have made financial information more accessible than ever. However, access to information is not the same as acting upon it to your benefit. Professional fund management, meanwhile, puts a process between emotions and decisions.
Got rich going all-in? Wealth needs a new plan
People generally get rich because of concentration, relentless pursuit of one thing, and the confidence to go all-in when most others would hesitate. On the other hand, managing a large pool of existing wealth requires something diametrically opposite diversification, instead of concentration.
Health insurance: Checking claim ratio isnt enough
The insurance advisory platform, Ditto Insurance, compares insurers on two key metrics: three-year average claim settlement ratio (by policy count) and number of complaints per 10,000 claims. Prospective buyers also need to take into account an insurers scale, track record, product portfolio and hospital network, among other factors.
Have multiple mutual funds? Know how to check overlap
Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week Abhinav Kaulexplains what portfolio overlap is, why it quietly builds up in your mutual fund holdings.
MDR on UPI: Impact on mutual fund investors decoded
The introduction of a 0.02% merchant discount rate will impact specific mutual fund and broking transaction payments. One-time investments in mutual funds and broker wallet replenishments will be subject to this fee, while recurring mutual fund SIPs via UPI AutoPay will remain exempt. Discount brokers engaging in high-value trades will experience the greatest repercussions from these modifications, and their clients could ultimately face increased costs.
