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Dearness Allowance hike 2026: Will the Centre announce the July DA revision before Diwali? What history suggests

Central government employees await the July 2026 DA/DR hike, with no announcement as of October 16. Past revisions were announced between late September and October, raising hopes for a festive-season decision. However, history offers no guarantee of when the Centre will announce the hike.

18 Oct 2026 12:00 am
Govt announces annual bonus for postal employees; how much money regular staff and gramic dak sevaks can get?

The government announced a productivity-linked bonus for postal employees for 202526. Details here.

17 Oct 2026 11:58 pm
How SBIs failure to inform a retired scientist about FD maturity cost it 15.35 lakh; details of the case here

Hyderabads consumer commission directed SBI to pay a retired scientist 15.35 lakh after finding deficiency in service over his matured fixed deposit. Details here.

17 Oct 2026 10:57 pm
Chandigarh real estate sees major deals as industrial plot fetches 200 crore, Sector 9 house sells for 100 crore

Chandigarh recorded its highest-ever property registration in July, with a 30.3-kanal industrial plot selling for 200.32 crore. A Sector 9-B house fetched 100 crore. Rising residential, commercial and agricultural values have boosted stamp duty revenue, despite fewer registered documents.

17 Oct 2026 8:13 pm
Using two health insurance policies for one hospital bill? Are you aware of these claim rejection traps?

Policyholders may claim from both employer-provided and individual health insurance for one hospitalisation. But if you overlook certain terms, it can lead to a rejection. Check details.

17 Oct 2026 7:03 pm
Gold FoFs halt fresh investments, but silver mutual funds remain open: Experts decode the reasons and explain what to do

Gold FoFs have restricted fresh investments, while silver funds and gold ETFs remain open. Experts explain the impact of India's import bill, why silver has been treated differently, the risks of ETF premiums, and what investors should consider before choosing either metal.

17 Oct 2026 5:00 pm
Made profits on Apple or Nvidia shares? Here's whether you can claim the 1.25 lakh tax exemption in India

The 1.25 lakh annual LTCG exemption applies to Indian equity investments, but does it also apply to foreign stocks held by an Indian investor? Check details here.

17 Oct 2026 4:14 pm
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund cash falls to 9.77% after Rajeev Thakkar's single-digit outlook: Where is the money going?

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund has nearly halved its cash allocation in six months, signalling a shift towards deploying money in select opportunities. With cash levels falling below 10%, the funds latest portfolio reveals where it is increasing exposure and how its returns compare with the benchmark.

17 Oct 2026 3:55 pm
Dussehra 2026: 6 bad money habits to give up this festive season

Dussehra 2026 is an opportunity to improve your finances. Discover six bad money habits to give up this festive season, including overspending, delaying investments, ignoring insurance, taking unnecessary loans, risky trading and blindly following social media stock tips.

17 Oct 2026 3:38 pm
Looking to purchase gold this festive season? Here's how to directly avail Tyohar BharatPe Gold Offer

BharatPe has launched its Tyohar BharatPe Gold Offer for the festive season, giving eligible customers 5% extra digital gold and a chance to win prizes from a 20 lakh pool. The campaign runs from 11 October to 10 November 2026 through the BharatPe ecosystem.

17 Oct 2026 3:23 pm
Best thematic factor-based mutual funds 2026: Which equity schemes lead in 1- 3- and 5-year CAGR returns?

Factor-based mutual funds use strategies such as momentum, quality and low volatility to select stocks. We compare the leading schemes by 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns and examine which strategies top each period.

17 Oct 2026 2:29 pm
Cyber fraud alert: SBI warns about AI voice-cloning scams 5 ways to protect your money

SBI has warned about AI voice-cloning scams that can trick people into transferring money or sharing banking details. Learn how to verify callers, protect sensitive information and report cyber fraud through helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. 

17 Oct 2026 1:30 pm
Regular vs step-up SIPs: Do 1,000 and 10% annual top-ups give you higher XIRR returns or just create a larger corpus?

A step-up SIP can help investors build a larger corpus by increasing contributions over time. But does investing more mean higher returns? Find a comparison of regular SIPs, fixed 1,000 top-ups, and 10% annual top-ups data to understand their impact on wealth creation and XIRR over 5 to 25 years.

17 Oct 2026 12:39 pm
Government employees await July 2026 Dearness Allowance hike: Check DA and DR announcement dates for the last 5 years

Central government employees and pensioners are awaiting the July 2026 DA and DR revision after the latest Cabinet meeting offered no update. Previous announcements provide a timeline of when the Centre declared the July instalment over the past five years.

17 Oct 2026 12:30 pm
EPFO VISHWAS 2026 explained: How employers can settle pending Section 14B penal damages

EPFO VISHWAS 2026 allows eligible employers to settle pending Section 14B penal damages at concessional rates. Understand why EPF damages are imposed, how the scheme works, and what employers should check before applying.

17 Oct 2026 12:27 pm
EPFO explains new rules for EPF advances: Check withdrawal limits, conditions and forms

EPFO has outlined new rules for advances, including withdrawal limits and frequency. Members with at least 12 months of membership may withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance, including employee and employer contributions with interest. 

17 Oct 2026 11:45 am
9 lakh in Post Office MIS vs 9 lakh in bank FD: Which gives a higher monthly income?

A 9 lakh investment in Post Office MIS earns 5,550 monthly at 7.4% interest, compared with an indicative 4,875 from a bank FD at 6.5%. Compare monthly income, tenure, other rules and tax implications before investing. Seek professional guidance before investing to ensure a beneficial investment. 

17 Oct 2026 11:09 am
Home loan alert: SBI, PNB and 4 other banks revise lending rates how borrowers may be affected

Six major banks, including SBI and PNB, have revised their repo-linked lending rates in October 2026. Here are the updated benchmarks, effective dates and what existing and prospective home loan borrowers should know about EMIs and borrowing costs.

17 Oct 2026 9:43 am
8th pay commission: DA merger, salary hike, fitment factor, inflation adjustment Top 5 demands from employee groups

The 8th Central Pay Commission is consulting employees, pensioners and other stakeholders before submitting recommendations by May 2027. Groups have proposed higher minimum pay, DA merger or inflation-linked allowances, and revised fitment factors. 

17 Oct 2026 9:19 am
SGB 2020-21 Series VII: Investors to pocket 192% gains on premature redemption; RBI fixes October 19 date

The RBI has set the premature redemption price of SGB 2020-21 Series VII at 14,614 per gram. Investors can earn capital gains of 189.33% on offline purchases and 192.22% on online purchases. Here's what you need to know about the redemption date and interest rules.

17 Oct 2026 9:16 am
DA hike after Dussehra: Will central government employees get good news in October? - What we know so far

Central government employees and pensioners are awaiting the July 2026 DA hike after the Cabinet made no announcement on 14 October. The next meeting on 21 October could bring an update, but the expected increase remains unconfirmed for now. 

17 Oct 2026 8:33 am
India Post sanctions 60 days Productivity Linked Bonus: Check employee eligibility, salary limits and calculation rules

India Post has announced a 60-day Productivity Linked Bonus for eligible employees for 2025-26. The order covers MTS, Group C, non-gazetted Group B staff, Gramin Dak Sevaks and eligible casual labourers. Check eligibility, salary limits and how the bonus is calculated.

17 Oct 2026 7:43 am
8th Pay Commission: What central government employees need to know about OPS, NPS and UPS

The 8th Pay Commission is hearing employee demands on pension reforms, including the restoration of OPS. Understand the differences between OPS, NPS and UPS, the government's stance on pension changes and what central government employees can expect next.

17 Oct 2026 7:34 am
DA news: Key salary components explained We breakdown the differences between your DA, DR and HRA

Amid discussions over revisions for central government employee and pensioners' allowances and benefits, we breakdown difference between key salary components such as Dearness Allowance (DA), Dearness Relief (DR) and House Rent Allowance (HRA).  

17 Oct 2026 7:30 am
Voluntary Provident Fund: Should you invest beyond EPF? Interest rates, tax rules and the 2.5 lakh limit explained

VPF allows salaried employees to invest beyond mandatory EPF contributions at the prevailing 8.25% interest rate. Understand the 2.5 lakh tax-free interest limit, tax on excess contributions and withdrawal rules before investing more for retirement.

16 Oct 2026 11:44 pm
Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund September portfolio: 35 stocks, including Groww and NTPC, see higher holdings

Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund raised its holdings in Groww, NTPC and HDFC Bank in September, added Zydus Lifesciences and exited Cyient DLM. It also trimmed positions in Divis Laboratories and Oracle Financial Services Software.

16 Oct 2026 11:23 pm
A 30% salary hike or bedtime with his toddler? Parent's career dilemma sparks debate over the real cost of switching job

A 30% salary hike may look attractive, but tax, commuting and childcare costs can shrink the gain. An illustrative 18 lakh salary scenario shows how a 5.4 lakh raise could leave just 1.74 lakh in extra annual money.

16 Oct 2026 10:34 pm
Govt issues notification on PM CARES scholarship, spells out rules for children without Aadhaar

The government has notified Aadhaar verification rules for PM CARES for Children scholarship beneficiaries. Children cannot be denied benefits solely because authentication fails or they lack Aadhaar, subject to prescribed alternative identity-verification procedures.

16 Oct 2026 6:41 pm
Ray Dalios All Weather portfolio vs 60:40 portfolio: Which delivered better returns over 15 years in India?

Ray Dalios All Weather portfolio returned 9.9% annually over 15 years in India, compared with 10.4% for a 60:40 portfolio and 12% for the Nifty 500 TRI. However, it had lower volatility and a smaller peak-to-trough fall, highlighting the trade-off between returns and risk.

16 Oct 2026 5:14 pm
Missed a gold loan EMI? Know when your pledged jewellery is at risk Experts explain recovery process and auction rules

Missed a gold loan EMI? An overdue payment does not automatically mean your pledged jewellery will be auctioned. Understand the RBI framework, how lenders handle defaults, the notice process, and what borrowers can do to reclaim their gold before it is sold.

16 Oct 2026 4:25 pm
Man earning 3,500 a month faced 1.46 crore tax demand; how ITAT Mumbai came to his rescue

ITAT Mumbai quashed a 1.46 crore reassessment against a man who said he earned 3,500 a month, ruling that the tax department failed to establish valid service of the notice. The tribunal did not decide whether the disputed transactions were genuine.

16 Oct 2026 4:17 pm
Health insurance claim: 5 things to prepare before hospitalisation to avoid last-minute hassles

Prepare for a health insurance claim with 5 essential steps before hospitalisation. Check policy documents, identify network hospitals, organise medical records, understand coverage limits and maintain a claims folder to reduce paperwork hassles and better manage potential out-of-pocket expenses.

16 Oct 2026 3:59 pm
SBI hikes home loan interest rates: Higher EMI or longer tenure? Costs compared for 30, 50 lakh and 1 crore loans

SBI has raised its benchmark lending rates by 25 bps from 15 October 2026. Find out how the hike could affect EMIs and total interest on 30 lakh, 50 lakh, 80 lakh and 1 crore home loans, and how choosing a higher EMI instead of a longer tenure could help reduce borrowing costs.

16 Oct 2026 3:20 pm
Indian Railways announces 3,548 graduate-level NTPC vacancies: Check eligibility, jobs, salaries and qualifications

Indian Railways has announced 3,548 graduate-level NTPC vacancies across four categories. Applications are open till 6 November 2026. Selection includes two computer-based tests, document verification and medical examination. 

16 Oct 2026 3:19 pm
Are Indians investing more, or are asset-rich Indians getting richer? Zerodha's Nithin Kamath sparks debate online

India's financial assets have grown sharply since 2020, with mutual fund AUM, bank deposits, and equity holdings rising. But does this reflect wider market participation or growing wealth among existing investors? Zerodha's Nithin Kamath raises questions about who benefits.

16 Oct 2026 2:48 pm
Retirement planning: Want to draw 50,000 monthly income? Here's how much you need to invest Maths explained

Retirement planning can combine savings with investments and systematic withdrawal plans to provide a regular income. Here's how you can ensure a 50,000 monthly income from your investment after retirement. 

16 Oct 2026 2:48 pm
Can you apply for a business credit card without having a business? Expert explains

Can you get a business credit card without owning a registered business? Freelancers, consultants and self-employed professionals may qualify, depending on the issuers eligibility criteria, proof of income, business activity and documentation requirements. Read on to know the complete rules. 

16 Oct 2026 2:25 pm
Delhi property tax: Check SUNIYO 2.0 benefits, eligibility and how to apply by 31 December

Havent paid your Delhi property tax regularly or have years of outstanding dues? The MCDs SUNIYO 2.0 scheme offers eligible property owners and occupiers a chance to settle their dues with significant relief. Heres how to apply before the 31 December deadline.

16 Oct 2026 1:56 pm
SBI Card-Eternal's credit card for Zomato, Blinkit: How to directly apply for early access by app? Features explained

The Eternal SBI Card offers 10% instant discount for spends on Zomato, Bistro, District, and eligible spends on Blinkit. Cardholders also earn 5% cashback with partners including Uber, ixigo, Urban Company, and Apollo. 

16 Oct 2026 1:52 pm
Home loan EMI: How much salary do you need for a 50 lakh, 75 lakh or 1 crore home?

Home loan EMI: Buying a home worth 50 lakh, 75 lakh or 1 crore requires careful financial planning. Experts explain the monthly salary needed to manage home loan EMIs, along with the down payment, upfront costs and other expenses buyers should consider before taking a loan.

16 Oct 2026 12:56 pm
Multi-asset allocation mutual funds: Active schemes vs omni FoFs, how do portfolio strategies and returns compare?

Multi-asset allocation funds and omni FoFs offer exposure to multiple asset classes, but their returns can differ significantly. A comparison of their asset allocation and underlying holdings shows how the investment strategies of these two categories differ.

16 Oct 2026 12:31 pm
From wealth to capability transferKey challenges for women successors managing investment and how to address, explained

A report by Equirus Wealth finds that many women assume family wealth responsibilities after major life events without structured financial training. With an estimated 73 lakh crore set to pass to women over the next decade, it urges families to prepare successors.

16 Oct 2026 12:02 pm
ITR mistakes: When does the income tax penalty rise to 200% and how does it differ from late fees?

Income tax return errors do not automatically attract a 200% penalty. Under the Income-tax Act, 2025, under-reporting can attract a penalty of 50% of the tax payable on the under-reported income, while misreporting can attract 200%. Here's how the rules, late-filing fees and interest work.

16 Oct 2026 11:27 am
8th Pay Commission: Will central government employees get arrears from January 2026?

The 8th Pay Commission has 18 months from its constitution in November 2025 to submit its report. With 1 January 2026 emerging as a possible effective date, here's what previous Pay Commissions reveal about salary revisions, implementation timelines and arrears.

16 Oct 2026 11:12 am
8th pay commission: Constituted in November 2025 Almost a year later, check key updates so far

The 8th CPC is consulting employees, pensioners and other stakeholders before submitting recommendations on pay, allowances, benefits and pensions. Its report is due by May 2027. A year since constitution, here are the key updates 

16 Oct 2026 10:16 am
PRIM mutual fund route explained: How the new PMS option works, 25 lakh minimum investment and contract renewal rules

SEBIs PRIM route lowers the minimum investment for portfolio management services to 25 lakh from 50 lakh under the conventional PMS route. But renewals are treated as fresh investments, raising questions about investors whose portfolios fall below the threshold. 

16 Oct 2026 9:42 am
Gold, silver prices today, 16 October: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata

Gold and silver prices today, 16 October: 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.

16 Oct 2026 9:34 am
DA news: Himachal Pradesh to release dearness allowance installment for Diwali? CM Sukhu says...

DA news update: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government is considering releasing a Dearness Allowance (DA) instalment on Diwali this year. Here's what we know 

16 Oct 2026 9:05 am
Bandhan AMCs Suyash Choudhary on RBI rate hikes, bond yields, and debt strategy

Bandhan AMCs Suyash Choudhary explains how rising rates affect savers, why investors should keep debt portfolio duration short, and how to balance yield, credit quality and currency risk.

16 Oct 2026 9:00 am
Consolidated Account Statement covers stocks, mutual funds and NPS. Could insurance be next?

SEBI is exploring the inclusion of insurance policy details in the Consolidated Account Statement (CAS), which already covers investments such as mutual funds, equities, debt securities and NPS. 

16 Oct 2026 8:00 am