Livemint

Changes from April 1 2026 LIVE: Several confirmed financial and regulatory changes will come into force across banking, fuel, taxation and travel. These changes will have a direct impact on the day-to-day lives of Indian citizens.

The war in West Asia has caused massive disruptions to the supply of crude oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products. India, due to its high import dependence, is particularly exposed, leading to questions over the supposed lack of reserves or stocks in the country.

Find out whether banks in India will be closed today, 28 March, which is the second Saturday of the month. Since, all banks follow a holiday schedule set by India's apex monetary institution, check RBI's holiday calendar here.

Despite external risks, India will remain the fastest-growing economy, says ex-HDFC Bank CEO Aditya Puri at Mint India Investment Summit

At the Mint India Investment Summit, Department of Financial Services secretary M. Nagaraju urged Indian banks to balance credit growth with financial stability, learning from past NPA crises.

Ben Powell of BlackRock Investment Institute and Ashima Goyal, a former member of the RBI's rate-setting panel, say the central bank was doing a good job of managing volatility without intervening too much.

As per a 26 March notification, the changes would lift pay benchmarks by at least $14,500 across entry-level and experienced hires, as Washington said it looks to curb misuse of the visa programme and bring foreign worker wages closer to parity with those of US employees.

The Reserve Bank of India has outlined a roadmap for the payments sector until December 2028, focusing on cross-border payments, interoperability and a domestic legal entity identifier. 

Many individuals hold multiple health insurance policies, such as a corporate cover and a personal plan. Claiming from both policies is permitted. Here's what policyholders must know. 

Airbus helicopters have played a key role in India for decades, including its Aerospatiale Alouette II, Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil, and the high-altitude workhorse Lama.

The single-judge bench orally observed that destroying already manufactured stock of a diabetes drug would not be in the patients interest.

Balanced Advantage Funds can help investors manage market volatility through dynamic asset allocation between equity and debt, offering stability, tax efficiency, and disciplined investing for long term wealth creation.

Pensioners should be mindful when considering becoming a loan guarantor, as a borrowers default could impact their retirement savings, credit score, and overall financial stability, potentially leading to legal obligations and added financial pressure on a limited income.

Most global retirement models assume that individuals retire around the age of 60 and need to fund 2025 years of expenses. That assumption is quietly becoming outdated.

In its notification on Thursday, the government said it was slashing the special additional excise duty on petrol from 13 per litre, to 3 per litre. Similarly, the duty on diesel was reduced from 10 per litre to nil. Here's what that means for your pocket.

Jay Kotak, the co-head at Kotak 811, is spending time with the banks wholesale division, responsible for large corporate loans and financial services, to align with the ongoing intergenerational transfer in corporate India.

While whey and fortified packaged foods led the early growth of the protein-focused foods market, large food & beverage, and FMCG companies are now embedding protein into everyday itemsfrom burgers and coffees to staples like chapatisto drive frequency and mainstream adoption.

With easy rate cuts on hold, borrowers should expect stable EMIs. The focus should be on affordable loan choices, disciplined repayment, and careful planning, as higher inflation and global uncertainties may push borrowing costs higher in the future.

Todays REITs, built on strong foundations of established office parks and leading retail properties, are no longer just landlords; they are transforming into multi-asset powerhouses aiming to capture every opportunity in Indias growth story.

The RBI complaint process guides customers in resolving banking grievances by first approaching regulated entities, obtaining an acknowledgement, and escalating unresolved issues to the RBI Ombudsman for resolution.

Financial and regulatory changes in April 2026 include new tax rules, higher rebates, updated TDS forms, increased banking charges, changes in fuel prices and new travel refund rules. Here are 10 financial changes to look out for.

The office hasnt disappeared; it has evolved. In fact, the shift to hybrid work has become a key driver for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

After a sharp market correction amid the US-Israel-Iran war, DSP Mutual Fund has shifted to a bullish stance, citing extreme valuations and contrarian signals.

Bank holiday today, 27 March: Is there a bank holiday today in India? Find out using RBI bank holiday calendar. Check inside for details.

Four new pension funds are in the pipeline as the regulator pushes digital distribution and broader investment playbook.

A REIT acts like a digital landlord: by owning units, you hold a stake in some of Indias top office parks and shopping malls, investing in an asset built to grow alongside inflation.

Retirement planning can benefit from allocations in the public provident fund, the employees' provident fund or the national pension scheme, which offer relatively higher interest rates and tax exemptions. Here's a comparison of the key features:

You can bump up your tax deductions under Section 80C if you are still under the old tax regime by adding 50000 to the NPS (National Pension Scheme). The NPS addition under Section 80CCD(1B)) will take your total deduction to 2 lakh.

The government has said all retail fuel outlets maintain sufficient inventories to meet public demand.

A California courts finding that platforms are addictive by design could embolden regulators globally, just as India is weighing curbs on underage social media use.

India's diverse legal landscape complicates estate planning, influenced by personal laws, marriage statutes, and geography. For interfaith couples, these layers can overwhelm, necessitating clear wills 

Planning your daughters future involves investing in products such as Sukanya Samriddhi, mutual funds, PPF, insurance, and health cover while setting clear goals to ensure financial security and long-term growth for her future.

Planning your will? There is a difference between a legal heir and a nominee when it comes to inheritance. Here is how estate planning can help your family sidestep complications in the event of a sudden death

Instant coffee and packaged teas power export growth, even as reliance on bulk trade and geopolitical risks persist.

Discover smart asset allocation strategies for retirement that safeguard your savings, boost growth, and secure a steady income for a worry-free, comfortable future.

Rent shapes everything: how much you save, how stressed you are, and how quickly you build a financial cushion. As rents climb and entry-level salaries struggle to keep pace, the tough question is: how much is too much?

While the immediate impact of the ongoing war in West Asia remains limited, non-bank lenders believe the real risk lies in a prolonged conflict, which could trigger second-order effects across inflation, demand and credit cycles.

Rising LPG prices, supply delays and black market spikes are squeezing households and small eateries, triggering a rush toward electric cooking alternatives.

Timeless investment lessons from Think and Grow Rich show key strategies to stay confident, make smarter decisions, and grow wealth even during uncertain and volatile market conditions.

Despite critical acclaim, India's niche regional films struggle at the box-office. Manipuri film Boong, despite winning a BAFTA, earned only 1 crore upon re-release, highlighting the challenges faced by such films in competing for screen space amid mainstream Bollywood productions.

Nithin Kamath advises against relying solely on employer-provided health insurance due to limitations and potential gaps. He emphasises the importance of purchasing a personal health policy for better coverage and financial protection, especially given the rising medical inflation in India.

India has already touched 20% blending in petrol, using ethanol made from maize, rice and sugarcane. Should it convert more food to fuel and at what cost?

Form 130 replaces Form 16 from April 2026, simplifying TDS reporting by providing structured details on income, deductions, and tax, helping taxpayers ensure accurate filings and better compliance.

A polypropylene shortage triggered by West Asia supply shifts is squeezing cement bag makers, raising packaging costs and threatening dispatches just as fuel inflation hits margins.

The uptick follows US President Donald Trumps claim that talks with Iran were underway, which was dismissed by Tehran. Irans military accused Washington of negotiating with itself to mask battlefield setbacks.

Bank holiday today: Banks across various Indian cities will be closed on 26 March for Shree Ram Navami. Here's a list of all cities where banks will be closed on 26 March.  

As digital advertising grows costlier and less efficient, brands are turning to gated communities to reach affluent consumers, improve targeting, and drive repeat purchases through hyperlocal engagement.

Middle-class individuals must strategically plan finances to avoid crises from medical emergencies or job losses. Building an emergency fund is essential, especially amid rising inflation and a volatile job market, according to this CA.

Smart credit card usage requires discipline through spending limits, regular tracking, full repayments, low utilisation, fewer cards, and automated payments to maintain financial stability and a healthy credit profile.

Fires are laying waste to factories, hotels, markets and informal units in slums across India, taking a heavy toll on workers and bringing economic activity in these areas to a halt. What can India do to put out these fires?