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The scheme offers 70-80% guarantee cover on loans to MFIs, aiming to restore lender confidence and improve credit access for underserved borrowers.
The RBI directions to banks include obtaining the customers explicit consent, ensuring product suitability for the customer before it is marketed, and giving a refund with compensation where mis-selling is established.
Rao said escalating tensions in the Middle East and resultant risks from pipeline inflationary pressure indicated that the RBI's monetary policy committee would prefer to keep the repo rate unchanged.
India has launched a 7,280-crore incentive scheme to establish five rare-earth magnet manufacturing plants, aiming to achieve an annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes. The move seeks to build a self-reliant defence and electric vehicle supply chainto counter Chinas dominance in the sector.
Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath noted the country's dependence on energy imports from the Middle East, and consequent impact due to the war in the region. He also outlined an alternative that India can tap into for long-term resilience.
Continuing your SIP during market volatility helps build wealth through disciplined investing and rupee-cost averaging, ensuring long-term growth while navigating market fluctuations. It will enhance returns over time.
The Finance Ministry on 20 March notified the Central Board of Direct Taxes' new Income-Tax Rules 2026. Here's what this means for taxpayers and how the changes impact you with effect from 1 April 2026.
Financial mistakes young professionals make include overspending, delaying investments, and poor planning, highlighting the importance of disciplined saving, early investing, and smart money habits for long-term financial stability.
Indias accredited investor base has more than tripled in under a year, now accounting for 30% of AIF investments, as Sebi expands access to high-risk, high-return opportunities.
Managing personal finances involves consulting experts, prioritizing high-interest debt, and implementing effective budgeting strategies. Establishing an emergency fund and reviewing expenses can help regain control over finances and improve long-term financial health.
Inconsistent plant-level reporting has derailed baseline setting, delaying Indias carbon trading rollout as policymakers race to align with EU carbon rules and avoid double compliance costs.
Effective salary splitting and budgeting depend on personal financial situations. Common strategies include 50-30-20 and 70-20-10 rules. Engaging a financial advisor before making decisions helps in managing expenses, savings, and aligning financial goals for better wealth management.
Most states will observe the Eid holiday on Saturday, March 21. However, banks in two Indian states J-K and Andhra Pradesh will remain closed on March 30.
Even as global crude prices surge past $100, petrol prices in India remain stable. Heres how OMCs, taxes and government intervention act as shock absorbers for consumers.
With RBI likely pausing rate cuts after aggressive easing, bond gains from falling yields fade, pushing investors to focus on accrual, shorter duration and selective credit risk
Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Indian telecom operators are among the healthiest globally, with the sector continuing to grow steadily. He added that the government is evaluating the next phase of the PLI scheme for telecom equipment.
Most health insurance plans in India dont automatically cover LASIK, but exceptions exist. Heres how medical necessity, limits and waiting periods determine your eligibility.
The 225-crore expansion at the Gujarat facility adds roughly 8,300 annual tons of capacity, the company has said.
The government directive seeks to establish a unified, real-time data architecture to facilitate rapid responses to supply outages. The required disclosures encompass production volumes, import figures, inventory levels, and usage trends.
Digital arrest scams are on the rise as fraudsters impersonate officials, pressure victims, and extort money through fear, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, verification, and timely reporting to prevent losses.
Mumbai International Airport had submitted claims of over 860 crore towards parking, storage, hangar and related charges after Jet Airways aircraft remained parked at the Mumbai airport for several years following the airlines collapse in 2019. The NCLT admitted only about 510.75 cr.
A reader planning to retire at 48 in 2030 with annual expenses of 20 lakh asks how to secure a steady income. A financial planner outlines the required corpus, portfolio balance and key safeguards.
The extension of the deadline would mean that central government employees, pensioners and other stakeholders would get more time to share their views regarding the framing of the policies of the 8th Pay Commission, which is currently under work.
Changes to your salary components will depend on your income, organization profile and industry, though most companies aim to keep take-home pay broadly unchanged.
Personal loan interest rates in March 2026 vary across top lenders, making comparison essential to reduce EMIs and total cost while considering fees, tenure, credit score, and hidden charges.
While several global economies, from the US to China, have already passed on higher costs to consumers, India has kept prices stable. With crude prices surging, oil marketing companies are taking a big hit. How long can the government avoid an increase?
Even though mandatory gold hallmarking has been in place for five years, recent BIS raids on traders - who displayed hallmarking certificates and the BIS logohave still uncovered lapses in purity.
Senior citizens can enhance safety and wealth by choosing the right bank and FD tenure. Comparing interest rates is crucial, as many banks offer an extra 0.50% for seniors, making these FDs more attractive for retirees.
Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth's collaboration for a 2027 film highlights Tamil cinema's strength in bringing stars together, unlike Bollywood, where egos and financial complexities often impede such projects. This successful model emphasizes narrative-driven filmmaking and a supportive fan culture.
Bank holiday today, 19 March: All public and private banks in will be closed today in several states due to Gudhi Padwa, Ugadi Festival, Telugu New Year, Sajibu Nongmapanba (Cheiraoba), and 1st Navratra. Here is the full list of states where banks are closed today.
Banks have turned cautious about lending to solar module makers after a December letter from the clean energy ministry urging them to be cautious about financing new solar photovoltaic module capacity. The sector also faces pressure from a preliminary 126% US tariff.
For Globant, which counts India as one of its largest employee hubs, Walt Disney has been its largest client, contributing 9% of its $2.46 billion in revenue in 2025. Companies are setting up in-house technology centres in a troubling shift for the IT sector as it faces disruption from automation.
The government has tapped Trai to frame spectrum rules for connected vehicle rollout, weighing licence-exempt in-car devices and administrative allocation for roadside infrastructure.
The move marks a step towards building a robust, self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem that will boost domestic production, strengthen supply chains
HDFC group veteran Keki Mistry to be part-time chairman at India's largest private lender for three months starting 9 March.
The Bhavya parks will range from 100 to 1,000 acres, and receive financial support of up to 1 crore per acre provided for core, value-added and social infrastructure. In North Eastern and hilly states with geographical constraints, the minimum size will be 25 acres.
Crude prices, which are near $108 per barrel due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, are bound to adversely affect global markets and personal finances. Strategic investing, expense planning, and inflationlinked assets can help protect portfolios during oil volatility.
Even as the rapid rise of internet penetration raise doubts on the future of print, the results of a survey conducted across metros and Hindi-speaking markets finds newspapers remain the go-to source for highly engaged readers looking for trustworthy news.
The 8th Pay Commission questionnaire deadline has been extended to 31 March 2026 for employee feedback on pay, pensions and allowances, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder input before final recommendations.
Travel insurance is fundamentally designed to cover individual, unforeseen risks, not large-scale geopolitical events
Starting 1 April, taxpayers must disclose their relationship with landlords when claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA), especially if rent exceeds 1 lakh annually. Here's what happens if you ignore or misreport the details.
India's credit ecosystem is evolving, with women emerging as a significant force. They represent 27.6% of retail credit and show faster growth rates compared to men.
Market falls trigger fear, but history shows exits often cost more than corrections. The real risk isnt volatilityits missing the rebound while waiting for clarity.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that both Peru and Chile hold legitimate claims to the Pisco name in India, rejecting Peru's demand for exclusivity. The decision mandates origin labelling, resolving a 20-year legal battle over the niche grape brandy.
Despite building significant capacity, structural constraintsfrom raw material shortages to policy designkeep the country reliant on overseas supplies.
A Meta report shows 89% of Indias micro-drama audience discovered the format via social media, spending 35 hours weekly, mostly watching solo. But weak monetization persists, with just 28% ever paying amid trust deficits.
Counterfeiting in the dairy sector has surged since 2018, driven by complex supply chains and a massive informal market. Regulators are now pushing for stricter licensing and track-and-trace tech to mirror the success of the pharmaceutical industry.
Longer lifespans and shorter careers mean affluent Indians must plan for a 30-year retirement, not 15requiring disciplined investing, diversified income and strong health coverage.
Podcast revenues may soar from $969 million to $4.5 billion by 2030, while live events could double in value, indicating a vibrant creative economy, according to Deloitte.
The Reliance-Samsung deal strengthens India's hydrogen ambitions. But limited domestic offtake and slow project progress keep the 2030 production target a distant goal.

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