Livemint

For a 1-3 year investment horizon, short-duration, dynamic bond, corporate bond, and banking & PSU funds are among the best debt fund categories you can consider. Unlike others, credit risk funds invest in lower-rated bonds, making them riskier.

The Reserve Bank of India has issued a new framework governing how banks must value, manage and sell properties acquired while recovering defaulted loans. The rules, effective October 1, 2026, also bar banks from selling such properties back to defaulting borrowers.

The proposed contributory pension scheme could cover formal, unorganised, gig and higher-wage workers, with flexible withdrawals and a Target Retirement Sum approach.

The rule of 1% upgrade encourages investors to increase the share of their income invested by one percentage point every year. A small annual increase in the share of income invested can significantly boost long-term retirement savings.

The new EPF Scheme introduces a 25% minimum balance requirement for partial withdrawals. Here's what the rule means, how eligible member balance is calculated, and when you can withdraw your full PF corpus.

A 25,000 monthly SIP earning an assumed 12% annual return can grow to 8.74 crore in 30 years. Check how compounding, understanding of core principles, disciplined investing and staying invested help create long-term wealth for retirement, children's education and financial independence.

The Pune ITAT has ruled that capital gains computed using the higher stamp duty value under Section 50C do not automatically deny Section 54 exemption. The tax benefit, however, is available only if the taxpayer satisfies all conditions for claiming the exemption.

An analysis by CoverSure showed that besides under-penetration of health insurance, another growing problem for many policyholders is that coverage exists but as many as 63% are unable to switch plans.

There are many exclusions in your home insurance policy, and the policyholder must carefully review them to avoid being caught off guard at the worst possible moment.

An ITAT ruling reinforces that salaried employees cannot be asked to pay tax twice if their employer deducts TDS but fails to deposit it. The decision strengthens taxpayer protection and serves as a timely reminder to verify TDS records before filing income tax returns.

Atal Pension Yojana: Today we answer the most frequently asked questions about eligibility criteria, requirements, documents needed, payout amount and other top FAQs about the government-run pension scheme

A viral post claims SIPs delivered just 6.7% over two decades. But the calculation is flawedand the flat market it cites is precisely when SIPs quietly do their best work.

Bank holidays this week: Banks in India will be closed for upto three days this week, but digital platforms like UPI and banking apps will remain operational. Customers should note that in-branch services are suspended on Sundays and specific regional holidays. 

PFRDA Chairman S Ramann outlined an AI roadmap to redesign the National Pension Scheme's onboarding process. He also encouraged responsible AI use for a pension advisory platform powered by the technology.

Taxpayers can now view their foreign assets and income via the AIS on the income tax e-filing portal. The AIS currently includes data for 2022-2024, with 2025 data expected by late 2026. Here's what to do if you missed disclosing them in previous ITRs.

FD interest income is fully taxable but tax implications may vary based on the chosen tax regime and taxpayer age. Some deductions may also be available, based on your age and income profile. Here's all you need to know.

ITR: Taxpayers must file their income-tax returns for FY26 / AY27 by 31 August this year, extended from 30 June. Here's how much penalty you can be charged and deadline for delayed ITR filing during the tax year.

Berkshire Hathaway now allocates nearly 30% of its $351 billion portfolio to Apple and Alphabet, reflecting a shift in Warren Buffett's investment strategy. 

EPFO: Aadhaar linking is mandatory for several EPF services. Today, we check how EPF subscribers can link Aadhaar with their Universal Account Number (UAN) using the government's Umang mobile app.

Salary arrears and lump-sum payments can increase tax liability. Taxpayers must file Form 10E before their ITR to claim relief under Section 89 of the Income-tax Act. Here's what you need to know.

Around 50 lakh central government employees and about 65 lakh retired central government pensioners, including defence personnel and retirees, will benefit from the recommendations across 18 employee levels.

About 1 crore beneficiaries close to 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 65 lakh retired central government pensioners, including defence personnel and retirees will benefit from an increase in DA and DR.

Even with a zero tax liability due to the Section 87A rebate, filing an income tax return (ITR) may be necessary. Your obligation to file depends on your total income and the tax regime you choose.

Many property sellers may end up paying more tax under the 20% tax regime with indexation than under the flat 12.5% LTCG tax. The benefit of indexation depends on how much the property's value has appreciated over time, making it important to compare both tax calculations before filing.

A portfolio invested entirely in equities typically suffers the deepest drawdowns, whereas adding debt investments can substantially reduce losses during market corrections.

AMFI's latest market-cap review has reshuffled several stocks across the large, mid and small-cap categories. While companies such as BSE, BHEL and Vodafone Idea moved up, others including Hero MotoCorp and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories slipped to lower categories based on average market capitalisation.

The move is intended to address operational challenges frequently faced by families during the transmission process while ensuring a smoother and more uniform experience across mutual fund houses.

After age 35, financial responsibilities typically increase, making a balanced portfolio more important. Experts recommend combining life insurance with equity investments, mutual funds & SIPs to build long-term wealth, protect family finances, manage liabilities & boost overall financial security.

The Income Tax Department has introduced a Foreign Assets Information (FAI) report on its Compliance Portal. Taxpayers can securely download their foreign asset information in a password-protected PDF, review the reported details, and submit feedback if they identify any discrepancies.

From selecting the correct ITR form to maintaining transaction records across exchanges and wallets, investors with crypto holdings need to pay close attention to disclosures to avoid notices and ensure smooth tax filing.

The 10-10-10 SIP rule helps investors build long-term wealth by investing for 10 years, assuming 10% annual returns and increasing SIP contributions by 10% each year. Learn how step-up SIPs can create a larger corpus through disciplined investing and compounding.

Most public and private banks across India will remain open today, on Saturday, 18 July. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s holiday calendar, bank operations will continue as normal since it is the third Saturday of the month

Income-tax returns: Attention first time taxpayers! From required documents, to which forms to fill, and the deadline date here are the top 10 important things to keep in mind while filing your ITR.

Understanding these rules is essential, particularly if you are switching jobs, dealing with a financial emergency or planning to access your retirement savings before retirement.

The EPFO has discontinued UAN activation and new generation through the portal and shifted both services to the Umang app with Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT) requirement. Here's how first-time users can complete activation

8th Pay Commission: The official terms of reference (ToR) outline what central government employees and pensioners can expect from the 8th CPC's recommendations. From DA hike to revised salary structure, pension, allowances and other benefits Check full list of likely announcements here.

The DoE reiterated that if an employee's monthly NPS contribution is credited past the established deadline, interest must be paid to the subscriber for the duration of the delay. This compensatory interest will match the prevailing PPF interest rate, which currently stands at 7.1%

Probate of a Will in India confirms its validity and gives legal authority to the executor. Check and understand the process, documents required, court procedure, recent changes, and when probate can help prevent inheritance disputes.

Dearness Allowance: Even if no DA hike is announced this month in July 2026, central government employees and pensioners could still see a second increase sometime in the second half of the year during the festive season.

Investing just 2,000 every monthan amount many people spend on leisure activities or eating outcan potentially grow into a corpus of more than 1 crore.

The best-performing flexi cap fund returned 9.91% over the past year, while only five schemes crossed the 8% mark. Experts say the muted performance reflects market conditions, not poor fund management.

The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 introduces an interest rate ceiling, mandatory digital compliance and stricter governance norms for exempted PF trusts run by eligible employers. Here's what the new rules mean for employees.

Health insurance claims can become stressful during emergencies. These 10 practical steps, from hospital admission to discharge, ensure faster cashless claim settlement, avoid delays, manage documents properly and reduce financial pressure, especially during emergencies.

Retirement does not automatically stop interest on your EPF balance. Here's how long your provident fund continues to earn interest under the EPF Scheme, 2026, based on your retirement age.

Gold and silver prices today, 17 July: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.

The 8th Pay Commission is likely to revise salaries and allowances for nearly 1.1 crore central government employees and pensioners. While the fitment factor is yet to be finalised, estimates indicate how HRA for Level 14-16 employees could increase under different fitment scenarios.

The Centre is considering reintroducing a merchant discount rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. If approved, the levy is expected to apply only to large merchants and higher-value payments, while small businesses and consumers are likely to remain unaffected.

After two years of valuation-led consolidation, Nippon Life AMC's equity CIO Sailesh Raj Bhan says improving earnings, reasonable valuations and a strong macro backdrop are creating fresh opportunities for long-term investors.

For senior citizens, even a marginal difference in interest rates can translate into substantially higher earnings over time, particularly on large deposits. Comparing FD rates across banks before investing can help maximise interest income without increasing investment risk.

Attention parents! Want to start a public provident fund account for your child? We calculate the minimum amount you would need to invest in their PPF per month in order to successfully set them up for crorepati status in the long run.