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Retirees consider the SCSS for its safety, regular income and government backing. But is there a ceiling on how much can be invested? Heres the limit under SCSS and the options available to retirees.
The US is moving towards a formal crypto market structure as India relies on taxation and AML guardrails. Experts said clearer global rules could reduce platform risks and shape Indias eventual framework.
A missed connection, a leg injury and delayed baggage exposed the exclusions that can turn a seemingly comprehensive travel policy into a costly disappointment.
The Pune ITAT deleted a 10.52 lakh unexplained investment addition after the tax department relied on WhatsApp chats recovered from a third partys mobile phone. The tribunal found that the electronic evidence lacked the required authentication to sustain the tax demand.
Gold and silver prices today, 3 September: 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.
A Bengaluru taxpayer faced a 41.69 lakh unexplained cash deposit tax demand after failing to file an ITR and respond to tax notices. The ITAT Bangalore refused to condone his nearly four-year delay, leaving the assessment and penalty orders undisturbed.
The 8th Pay Commission is examining pension reforms, including civilian OROP, pension parity and notional fixation. The key question is whether the panel will only revise pensions or also address disparities across generations of retirees.
August 2026 saw a clear divergence across market-cap segments. Midcaps and smallcaps gained while largecaps declined. Midcaps also hit a new peak, while smallcaps came close. Over 10 years long period, midcaps delivered the highest returns.
CGHS rules have been relaxed for dependent sons and brothers with critical or terminal illnesses, allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive medical benefits for life.
Government employees and pensioners await the July 2026 Dearness Allowance revision and the 8th Pay Commission consultations. Meetings are ongoing to discuss pay and pension matters, with recommendations expected by mid-2027.
Indias gold loan market has nearly quadrupled to 18.6 trillion in five years, overtaking personal loans. Yet, only around 8% of household gold is monetised through organised lenders. Find who is borrowing, which states are driving growth, and which lenders are gaining share.
State Bank of India advises customers to use UPI Lite or alternative payment methods during maintenance.
Investment strategies should adapt as goals approach, particularly between three to five years. Moving away from high-risk equity is essential for protecting savings.
GIFT City offers Indian retail investors an alternative route to global equity exposure as overseas investment limits constrain domestic mutual funds. Heres how the route works, available fund options, LRS rules, SIP limitations, accessible markets, costs, and tax implications.
To reduce interest on loans, consider early principal reduction for guaranteed returns. Shortening loan tenure can lower overall interest even with higher EMIs. Focus on total repayment rather than just EMIs to better manage loan costs.
SIFs have a 10 lakh minimum investment requirement, but investors need not put the entire amount in one strategy. The threshold is calculated across SIF strategies of the same AMC at the PAN level. Heres how SIP, SWP, STP, exemptions and breaches work.
Indias festive season could drive a pickup in consumer spending, creating potential opportunities across sectors. Heres a look at sectors with very high sensitivity to festive demand, along with those that are less sensitive.
Apple's compensation plans for Tim Cook and John Ternus include fixed salaries and performance-based RSUs. Check out the detailed breakdown.
Punjab government challenges a Punjab and Haryana High Court order in the Supreme Court, disputing the 14-day deadline to clear 14,191 crore in pending DA and DR arrears for state employees and pensioners, citing constitutional payment procedures and disputing Central DA rate benchmarks.
Investors who entered equities near the 2024 market highs are facing a prolonged spell of weak returns. But a new study reveals that past market cycles offer important lessons on SIPs, lump sums and staying invested when markets turn volatile.
RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds can be bought offline through authorised receiving offices, but consumers need to know the application process, documents, payment rules and branch requirements.
Provident fund deposits are crucial for retirement security, yet errors in contributions often go unnoticed. Regular passbook checks ensure accuracy, allowing employees to confirm EPS contributions match salary deductions.
Unrelated illnesses during pregnancy can create claim disputes. Experts note that when an excluded medical condition overlaps with another ailment, there is a high possibility that the related insurance claim could be rejected.
EPFO is urging eligible PF trusts to use a one-time amnesty scheme to retrospectively regularise their exemption status. The scheme offers relief from certain compliance requirements and past proceedings, with applications open until 28 December 2026.
Banks have lowered FCNR(B) deposit rates following the closure of the special swap window. Major banks like Axis, HDFC and ICICI revised their rates significantly from earlier highs.
Post Office Time Deposit holders can extend deposits after maturity, subject to specific deadlines. Here are the September 2026 TD interest rates, extension rules, applicable interest rate on renewal and what happens if the deadline is missed.
A trust can remain resident despite having a non-resident trustee if its control and management is partly exercised from India.
Equity-heavy portfolios can deliver strong long-term returns, but investors must be prepared for sharp drawdowns and long periods of weak performance. A diversified mix of equity, fixed income and gold can make the journey smoother.
ITAT Delhi has ruled that taxpayers cannot be denied TDS credit if their deductor fails to deposit the deducted tax with the government. Section 205 protects taxpayers from double taxation by placing the liability for recovery squarely on the defaulting deductor, not the compliant taxpayer.
A Karnataka consumer commission has ruled that banks may have to compensate gold-loan borrowers for more than the net gold value if pledged jewellery is stolen while in bank custody. The borrower was awarded 88,362 towards making charges and stone value, besides compensation and litigation costs.
A high payout can be tempting, but yield alone cannot tell investors whether income is sustainable or whether capital is being preserved. Heres what to examine across dividend stocks, Reits and InvITs.
Ten pharma and healthcare mutual funds delivered more than 20% returns in the past year, with HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund leading at 28.66%. Kotak Healthcare, PGIM India Healthcare and Quant Healthcare were among the other top performers.
Own gold beyond the permissible limits? Experts highlight that these thresholds are search-exemption limits, not ownership caps; proper documentation is what truly matters. Here are the rules.
A Bank of Maharashtra employees widow received his provident fund and gratuity but was denied family pension after missing the deadline to opt for a one-time pension scheme.
Indias population aged 60 and above is projected to reach 347 million by 2050, according to the United Nations Population Fund. This highlights an important question for ageing homeowners: how much real estate do they actually need in retirement?
India Post Payments Bank has launched digital platforms for mutual funds and insurance, expanding its financial services beyond banking and digital payments. The platforms will provide customers access to mutual fund investments and life, health and general insurance solutions.
EPS Pension 2026 explained: Here's how the last 60 months of pensionable salary, associated increments, service years, 15,000 wage ceiling and higher pension rules can affect your monthly EPS pension.
Gold and silver prices today, 2 September: 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 Gujarat High Court cancelled a gift deed after a POA holder transferred an NRI's Vadodara property to his own son and daughter-in-law. The court held that the POA had ended after the owner's wife died and did not authorise the attorney to gift the property.
Bank delaying your credit card closure? Under RBI rules, lenders must close accounts within 7 days or pay a 500/day penalty. Check how to claim compensation
A Kolkata woman won an income-tax appeal after proving her husband alone funded a jointly purchased property that was valued 14.2 lakh higher by the stamp authority. ITAT Kolkata deleted the 7.09 lakh tax addition made in her hands under Section 56(2)(vii)(b).
India is set to test tokenised corporate bonds with REC in September, using blockchain and wholesale CBDC for faster settlement. The pilot will initially be limited to select investors. The move could eventually improve transparency, access and liquidity.
Will Gen Z become the largest and wealthiest generation in history? A report by Nielsen (NIQ) and World Data Lab found the youth are poised to overtake Boomers' consumer spending by as early as 2029.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) CEO and MD R Doraiswamy announced two new policies-- Bima Platinum and Jeevan Raksha policies. While both are described as non-participating and non-linked plans, their structure and benefits are not the same. Check it out.
Credit card transactions increased 24.1% year-on-year to 601 million in July, but overall spending only rose 7.4%. The average transaction value fell 13.5% to 3,460, with consumers favouring smaller purchases through RuPay cards linked to UPI.
Gold and silver ETFs posted strong gains in August 2026, but their performance over the past year tells a different story. While some funds led the monthly charts, the longer-term leaderboard reveals a notable shift between the two precious metals.
Does foreign citizenship affect inheritance rights in India? Are NRIs allowed to inherit agricultural land legally? Check out.
EPFO has released monthly pension in Kerala amid Onam celebrations. Here's how subscribers can check their deposit and EPF passbook using the Umang app, official portal, SMS, WhatsApp or missed call.
With the 31 August ITR filing deadline for non-audit taxpayers over, the focus now shifts to taxpayers subject to tax audit. The rules differ based on the nature of income and activity, with separate compliance requirements and a later filing deadline for audit cases.
ITR deadline: Companies and taxpayers whose accounts are required to be audited, the due date for FY26 / AY27 is 31 October. Here's a look at the penalty for missed deadline and date for belated returns.

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