Personal Finance News
Mission and vision match led to Shriram Finance-MUFG deal, says MUFG official
MUFGs Yasushi Itagaki credits shared vision with Shriram Finance for Indias largest FDI in the BFSI sector
HDFC Bank Parivartans HRDP boosts women farmers income in Madhya Pradesh
The project focuses on sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, and women-led livelihood enhancement
Share of non-bank sources in incremental funding to commercial sector goes up to 45% from 43%
Non-bank funding to the commercial sector rises to 45%, highlighting strong growth in financial resources during FY2026.
The new directions aim to address customer grievances arising from inconsistent practices and restrictive clauses in loan agreements, particularly affecting MSEs
We dont aspire to become a bank, just yet, Shriram Finance CEO says
In conversation with Parag Sharma, MD and CEO, Shriram Finance, on the MUFG Bank deal,
Uttar Pradesh property owners will soon benefit from a new 16-digit land unicode system. This initiative aims to enhance property tax tracking and collection across municipal corporations. The system will provide unique identification numbers for properties, aiding in the prevention of fraud and land disputes. It will also facilitate easier access to property information and streamline transactions for citizens.
Linking PAN with Aadhaar is now mandatory for taxpayers. If PANAadhaar linkage is not over by December 31, 2025, the PAN may become inoperative from January 1, 2026.
Gold price today: Latest gold jewellery rates of Kalyan Jewellers, Tanishq, Malabar Gold, Joyalukkas
Check out the latest 22K gold jewellery rates of Kalyan Jewellers, Tanishq, Malabar Gold, Joyalukkas.
What if CPC misses ITR processing deadline? Heres how taxpayers can legally claim their refund
Taxpayers are entitled to their refund if the Income Tax Department's CPC fails to process their ITR within the statutory nine-month deadline from the financial year's end. This lapse means the CPC loses its right to make adjustments, and the return becomes final as filed. Taxpayers can then pursue their refund through grievances or legal avenues.
Dugar Finance raises $18 million in debt funding
The capital will enable Dugar Finance to enter new geographies, deepen distribution in underserved regional markets, and further strengthen its analytics-driven credit and risk capabilities
SIPs vs EPF vs NPS: The ideal allocation strategy when you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s
Aggressive Investment explained: Who should use it and what makes it so risky?
Good news for borrowers: EMIs set to drop as these banks cut lending rates
Nomura sees Ashok Leyland as key beneficiary of CV upcycle, sets target at Rs 196. Stock up 2%
Ashok Leyland shares hit a fresh 52-week high after Nomura reaffirmed its Buy rating and raised optimism around the commercial vehicle upcycle. The brokerage sees the company as a key beneficiary of improving CV demand, stronger volume growth and margin tailwinds, setting a target price of Rs 196 with healthy upside.
Best corporate bond mutual funds to invest in December 2025
Investors seeking relatively safe debt options for short- to medium-term goals can consider corporate bond mutual funds in December 2025. These funds invest largely in AAA-rated papers, offering lower credit risk than other debt schemes, though investors must still track interest rate risks and fund manager prudence.
Aditya Birla Capital Digital offers digital will to simplify legacy planning
Many Indians delay writing wills, but digital wills offer a simple solution. They address the complexities of scattered digital and physical assets. The ABCD app provides an accessible platform for creating legally valid wills. This modern approach ensures loved ones face less uncertainty during vulnerable times. Estate planning must evolve with digital financial behavior.
A man who invested Rs 75 lakh in ULIPs and surrendered them for Rs 3.22 crore was penalized Rs 2.48 crore for reporting the income under the wrong head in ITR. ITAT Hyderabad canceled the penalty, ruling that a mere reporting error does not constitute misreporting under Section 270A(9) of the Income Tax Act.
Eighteen equity mutual funds have delivered over 15% XIRR on SIP investments in 2025. SBI Focused Fund and ICICI Pru Focused Equity Fund led with over 20% XIRR. Mirae Asset Midcap Fund and ICICI Pru Midcap Fund also showed strong performance. Investors who started SIPs on January 1, 2025, saw significant returns.
Insurance Bill for 100% FDI now law, dates for implementation to be notified later
New act amends three existing acts: Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999
Kerala High Court ruled against retrospective higher pension claims for 67 CIAL employees. Despite CIAL offering retrospective contributions with interest, the court emphasized that EPF operates on an accrued investment basis. Employers cannot retrospectively contribute beyond statutory limits to gain benefits not available earlier, upholding the fund's financial sustainability.
ICICI Bank is introducing new credit card charges effective January-February 2026. A 2% fee will apply to online gaming transactions, and a 1% fee will be levied on transportation spending exceeding Rs 50,000. These changes also impact third-party wallet loads and other credit card features.
Gifts to daughters-in-law are tax-free, but income from these gifts is taxed to parents-in-law due to an outdated clubbing rule. This provision, intended to prevent tax evasion, now unfairly burdens senior citizens and can lead to disputes. Budget 2026 is an opportunity to reform this rule, aligning tax law with modern realities and cultural practices.
Positive Breakout: These 11 stocks cross above their 200 DMAs
As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily time frame, it is generally considered to be an overall uptrend.
IndiGo shares in focus as firm enters Sensex today; replaces Tata Motors PV
IndiGo joins the Sensex on December 22, replacing Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. This comes amidst significant flight cancellations due to new duty rules, impacting operations and leading to brokerages cutting target prices. The airline reported a substantial quarterly loss, though revenue saw a year-on-year increase. Despite recent challenges, shares remain up year-to-date.
Owning land: Plotted developments, legal risks & disputes
Land investment in India offers potential outsized gains but carries legal risks including title disputes and zoning issues. Experts recommend thorough legal scrutiny, professional surveys, and treating land as a long-term investment in your portfolio.
How SEBIs expense ratio changes will impact your MFs
SEBI has restructured mutual fund expense ratios by introducing Base Expense Ratio (BER) and moving statutory levies like STT, GST and stamp duty outside expense limits.
NPS: Investment flexibility, bigger lumpsum & more
Lower annuitisation, extended investment timelines and flexible withdrawals have made NPS more investor-friendly.
Rupee at 91: Impact on students, travellers, investors
Students studying abroad and their parents will see budgets stretched, while international travellers can expect last-minute plans and discretionary spending to become 10-15% more expensive.
Direct overseas broker vs Indian platforms: Which wins?
Investing abroad directly with a foreign broker works best for sophisticated investors who trade sparingly and can hold for the long term.
Hotel stocks rise on room rates, strong demand
Hotels shake off a seasonal lull as rising room rates and demand tailwinds lift the sector outlook.
Why insurance competition benefits policyholders
Aditya Birla Health Insurance CEO, Mayank Bathwal, talks to Riju Mehta about the benefits of the new insurance bill, the need to resolve insurer-hospital conflict through dialogue, and the reasons for the large number of customer complaints in health insurance.
How CFAR cover helps in sudden flight cancellation
The benefit allows you to cancel your trip without citing a reason, but the 24-hour intimation rule could limit its utility.
How to use credit cards smartly and avoid debt
Rapidly increasing in both usage and transaction value, credit cards continue to be a prominent mode of cashless spending. Whether youre a first-time or seasoned user, here are some pointers to remember.
Italy golden visa: What investors should know
Italy is among Europes most in-demand golden visas, ranking in the top-3 European Union programmes by volume.
Which asset class performed the best in 2025?
Welcome to TrendMap, your quick guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. The annual returns are ranked for multiple asset classes across equity, debt, precious metals and real estate.
What is insider trading? Is it regulated?
If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 82nd part of this series, Riju Mehta explains what this practice means.
Shriram Capitals bank license aspirations get a boost with MUFG backing
Experts say SFLs promoter group, comprising Shriram Capital, Shriram Value Services and Sanlam Life Insurance, among others, with support from strategic investor MUFG Bank may give bank license a shot in 3-4 years
South Indian Bank introduces RuPay SIB Paytag
The compact NFC sticker easily attaches to mobile phones, wallets, or cardholders, allowing quick tap-and-pay transactions at contactless POS terminals without a physical debit card
Home loan book set to cross 10 lakh cr next fiscal year on strong demand: SBI chief
SBIs home loan portfolio crossed 9 lakh crore mark last month, making it the biggest mortgage loan provider in the country
I gifted my wife Rs 10 lakh. Should I show it in my ITR or let her pay income tax on it?
ET Wealth Reader's Query: I gifted my wife Rs 10 lakh, which she will report as exempt income in her ITR. If she invests this amount in an FD, the interest earned will be clubbed with my income and shown in my ITR. How should she report this in her return to ensure the interest isnt taxed twice in both our ITRs?
Liquidation of overseas JV: BoB, IoB and UBoI collectively receive $73.4 million
The three public sector banks had a three-way partnership in IIBMB, with BoB, IoB and UBoI holding 40%, 35% and 25% stake, respectively
FD rate up to 8% for senior citizens investing for three years; Know the full list of banks
Senior citizens can now earn up to 8% interest on fixed deposits for three-year terms. Jana Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are leading with this attractive rate. Other banks also offer competitive rates for longer tenures. Investors should note TDS rules and the option to submit Form 15H to avoid deductions if eligible.
Kotak Mahindra Bank customers should note a planned system maintenance on December 21, 2025. From 3:30 am to 4:30 am IST, mobile apps, net banking, UPI, and other payment services will be unavailable. ATM transactions below Rs 20,000 will not be affected. Customers are advised to plan their banking activities accordingly to avoid any inconvenience during this period.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that a driving license remains valid for 30 days post-expiration under the Motor Vehicle Act. This decision prevents insurance companies from reclaiming compensation from drivers whose licenses expired within this statutory grace period, as the license is legally effective during this time. Read more.
Taxpayers are receiving incorrect mismatch alerts from the Income Tax Department. The department's automated systems are misreading capital gains from unlisted share sales as business income. This is causing confusion and stress for those who have filed their returns correctly. The issue stems from how Section 194Q is being interpreted.
Rupee vs Dollar: Planning Rs 1.5 crore corpus for overseas education? Here's what can help
Planning a Rs 1.5 crore corpus for a childs overseas education requires more than market returnscurrency risk is key. Experts recommend starting early with equity mutual funds, disciplined SIPs with 22% annual step-ups, and strategic allocation to international funds, combining growth and rupee depreciation protection over a 20-year horizon
While equity arbitrage funds may provide steady tax-efficient returns, a stunning analysis reveals how the government collects far more than investors realize.
Karnataka government has released its official holiday list for 2026, including both general and restricted holidays. This list is crucial for state government employees and institutions in Bengaluru and across the state to plan their schedules. The general holidays encompass national observances and state-specific festivals, while restricted holidays offer flexibility for employees.
2026 long weekend calendar: Plan your year-long holidays with fewer leaves
Travellers can look forward to many long weekends in 2026. October offers three, while January and September each have two. Plan your trips with these extended breaks. Holidays like Republic Day, Good Friday, Buddh Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Valmiki Jayanti, Diwali, and Christmas provide opportunities for short getaways.
Stock market meets physics: 5 laws that explain why prices move the way they do
Ambit Capital has drawn parallels between markets and classical physics, outlining five laws that explain stock price behaviour. From inertia and momentum to mean reversion and valuation resistance, the framework helps investors decode why some stocks outperform while others stagnate, and why rich valuations often cap long-term returns.
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed today on December 20, 2025?
Many bank customers remain confused about whether bank branches are open or closed today, Saturday, December 20, 2025, leading to doubts over whether to visit a branch or wait for a weekday
Benign inflation outlook to provide policy the space to support growth momentum: MPC minutes
The Monetary Policy Committee has also decided to continue with the neutral stance.
RBIs central board approves risk-based deposit insurance framework for banks
At present, the deposit insurance coverage is limited to 5 lakh per depositor of each insured bank. Deposit insurance cover increased from 1 lakh to 5 lakh with effect from February 4, 2020.
Tata AIA Life Insurance launches multicap opportunities fund
Tata AIA launched Multicap Opportunities Fund and Pension Fund via ULIPs, offering diversified equity exposure linked to the Nifty 500. The funds span large, mid and small caps, allow debt allocation for risk management, and aim wealth creation with cover.
Mutual funds to further tilt towards short-end, steer clear of long bonds, managers say
Indian mutual funds are set to buy more of the shortest maturity instruments as investors increasingly channel savings into sub one-year schemes, spurning longer duration debt including government bonds, fund managers said.
Our lives today are running on autopilot, leaving us with little time to think or reflect on our spending habits. Social media algorithms constantly show us products we may like or have recently searched for, while digital payment methods make shopping feel effortless. We often don't realise how much money we are mindlessly spending until we consciously review our expenses.
Gross SIP flows in 2025 crosses Rs 3 lakh crore, highest in 5 years. Check details
SIP inflows remained strong in November 2025, marking the second-highest monthly collection and extending a multi-year streak of robust and consistent investor participation.
The Punjab government has announced its official list of public and restricted holidays for state government offices in 2026. These holidays will be observed across all government offices, boards, corporations, and educational institutions under the state's purview. This annual release ensures clarity for public sector entities and aligns with the varied holiday schedules across Indian states.
The Karnataka Chartered Accountant Association has flagged the Income Tax Department's recent intimations. These emails, concerning mismatches in Annual Information Statements, property deals, and foreign assets, use a threatening tone. The association argues this causes undue stress to genuine taxpayers. They urge the department to adopt a facilitative approach, seeking explanations rather than demanding immediate revisions.
6 mutual funds make a complete exit from 9 midcap stocks in November
Six mutual funds made a complete exit from nine midcap stocks in November as part of active portfolio reshuffling, according to Nuvama Institutional Equities. Quant Mutual Fund led the sell-off by exiting three stocks, while Kotak Mutual Fund exited two.
NFO Alert: DSP Mutual Fund launches Nifty 500 and Next 50-based passive funds
DSP Mutual Fund has launched two new passive offeringsDSP Nifty 500 Index Fund and DSP Nifty Next 50 ETFproviding diversified, low-cost access to Indias equity markets. The NFOs aim to help investors build long-term portfolios using transparent, benchmark-linked strategies across market capitalisations.
Edelweiss MFs Altiva Hybrid Long Short Fund crosses Rs 1,000 crore in AUM
Edelweiss Mutual Funds Altiva Hybrid Long Short Fund has crossed Rs 1,000 crore in assets under management within months of launch. The milestone reflects strong investor interest in the SIF strategy, which combines equity arbitrage, fixed income and special situations to deliver tax-efficient, consistent returns across market cycles.
Piramal Finance to sell 14.72% stake in Shriram Life Insurance for 600 crore
Shriram Life Insurance contributed 12.68 crore to Piramal Finances FY25 revenue, accounting for just 0.12% of total income.
A list of major cross-border deals in India's financial sector this year
Between January and September 2025, mergers and acquisitions worth $8 billion had concluded across the financial sector, a 127% increase over the same period last year
MUFG Bank to acquire 20% stake in Shriram Finance for 39,618 crore
The partnership aims to enhance SFLs capital adequacy, strengthen its balance sheet, and align governance with global best practices
Japans MUFG to buy 20% stake in Shriram Finance for $4.4 billion
The deal comes close on the heels of Emirates NBD Banks $3 billion investment for a 60% stake in RBL Bank in November
In November, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund adjusted its portfolio by increasing exposure in 455 stocks, including ITC and Eternal, while reducing stakes in 166 stocks, such as Mazagon Dock and RIL. The fund added 10 new entrants, exited four stocks, and maintained a diversified industry allocation, managing an AUM of Rs 11.41 lakh crore across 272 funds.
Bad credit? Heres how it raises your car loan interest, insurance premium and EMIs
Crypto mining, staking, airdrops: How the IT department tracks and taxes everything now
Silver ETFs deliver triple-digit gains in 2025. Should investors book profits?
Silver ETFs have emerged as top performers in 2025, delivering triple-digit returns on the back of strong industrial demand and a sharp rally in silver prices. Experts advise partial profit-booking after the surge, while maintaining limited long-term exposure through disciplined rebalancing and staggered investments rather than aggressive lump-sum allocations.
Noida property: Can the authority ask for higher payment after allotment of leasehold property?
Leasehold property owners in cities like Noida face specific payment systems. While initial agreements often involve a one-time premium, the enforceability of subsequent annual rent increases hinges on the original lease deed's clauses. Rajasthan's attempt to impose new lease rents after allotment was struck down by the High Court. Read more.
PFRDA has introduced significant changes for NPS subscribers, extending the exit age to 85 and increasing the 100% withdrawal limit to Rs 8 lakh. New systematic unit redemption options and corpus slabs streamline withdrawals, offering greater flexibility for government employees upon retirement or in case of death.
The Bihar government has announced its official holiday list for 2026, encompassing general and optional holidays for state government employees. The notification details closures for state and subordinate courts on general holidays. Muslim festival dates are subject to moon sighting, and employees can avail up to three restricted holidays.
SFIO seeks details from IndusInd Bank on derivatives, asset balances
The bank said these matters were reported to the SFIO on June 2, 2025, in compliance with RBIs July 2024 fraud risk management directions, which mandate reporting of suspected frauds above 1 crore
Best banking & PSU mutual funds to invest in December 2025
Mutual fund advisors say banking & PSU debt schemes are relatively safe because these schemes invest only in bonds and papers of banks and public sector companies. Since most of these entities are government-backed, they dont have the credit risk.
Earn 6% cashback with this new credit card; heres how to maximise benefits
Paisabazaar and YES BANK have launched an upgraded PaisaSave credit card, offering a significant 6% cashback on dining and travel, capped at Rs 3,000 monthly. This no-joining-fee card also provides 1% cashback on all other spends and a fuel surcharge waiver. It's designed for frequent diners and travelers seeking valuable rewards.
Will Old Pension Scheme return? Finance ministry clarifies stand on NPS, UPS
The central government will not bring back the Old Pension Scheme for its employees. The Finance Ministry confirmed no proposal exists to replace the National Pension System or Unified Pension System. Several states have reinstated OPS. The Unified Pension System offers a guaranteed minimum pension. Over 1.22 lakh employees have opted for UPS.
ITAT Delhi ruled that brought forward long-term capital losses and current year's short-term capital losses from shares and mutual funds can be set off against long-term capital gains. This decision allowed a taxpayer to reduce his taxable income by Rs 25 lakh, overturning the tax department's disallowance. Read below to know how the taxpayer won.
Valsad Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank faces RBI curbs; depositors eligible for insurance
The RBI said the restrictions are aimed at protecting depositors interests following insufficient corrective action by the banks management.
One State, One RRB: Govt unveils unified logo for regional rural banks
Currently, 28 RRBs operate more than 22,000 branches across over 700 districts.
The National Pension System has undergone one of its biggest transformations in 2025, with flexible withdrawals, expanded investment options and extended investment age. Read on to find how these changes make NPS more attractive to investors for retirement planning and what one must consider while carefully navigating new choices.
RBI Governor asks IDBRT to focus on digital fraud mitigation and banker training
Operational workflows need to be strengthened for portability and user ownership of their information, RBI Governor Malhotra said
OMO auction for injecting 50,000 crore gets good response
LIC noted that the Bill addresses the need for a modern, flexible, and inclusive regulatory architecture aligned with the countrys long-term development priorities.
UPI to be next engine of growth, says MobiKwik Co-founder
We want to grow without cashback led activity, but organically, says Co-founder
The Income Tax Department is sending advisories to taxpayers about potential mismatches in their income tax returns. Taxpayers have until December 31, 2025, to revise their returns or file belated ones. If a return is processed after this date and an error is found, taxpayers can apply for rectification. This process helps correct mistakes apparent from the record.
Time to be cautious on sectoral, thematic funds; gold a must in portfolios: Harshvardhan Roongta
For investors reviewing or starting their portfolios now, Roongta advised focusing on discipline rather than trends. Ask yourself whether you are following a long-term asset allocation plan or simply reacting to recent market performance, he said. He added that changes in asset allocation should only be made based on risk profile, financial goals, and time horizonnot past returns.
Sundaram Home Finance targets 100 Emerging Business branches by year end
The company expanded its presence to around 50 EB branches in a phased manner over 3 years, it said in a release
New mutual fund rules are balanced, positive for investors and AMCs: AMFI chairman
AMFI chairman Sundeep Sikka said Sebis revision of mutual fund rules strike a balanced approach, benefiting both investors and fund houses. Key changes include the Base Expense Ratio, lower brokerage caps, and removal of statutory levies from expenses. The framework offers clarity, reduces costs, and supports growth and penetration of the mutual fund industry.
RBI announces 30,000 crore G-Sec underwriting auction, releases OMO purchase results
According to the RBI, the Government of India has notified the sale (re-issue) of two Government Securities through an auction scheduled for tomorrow

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