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Women, younger borrowers and non-metro regions are driving credit growth in the country. The number of eligible Indians opting for loans has jumped from 34% in 2017 to 74% in 2026.

After years of small and mid-cap outperformance, large caps could be poised for a stronger phase. A new report cites six factors, including improving economic growth, attractive valuations and supportive macro trends, while urging investors to maintain a balanced market-cap approach.

Small-cap funds have emerged as the best-performing equity category in FY27 so far, delivering an average return of 22.31% between 1 April and 31 July. They were followed by mid-cap funds with 17.22%, flexi-cap funds with 14.06%, and large-cap funds with 10.52% returns. 

The eNPS portal does not currently provide a separate capital gains statement for Tier II accounts. Here's how withdrawals may be taxed and what investors need to know.

Income-tax returns: The due date for ITR-1 and 2 passed on 31 July, but taxpayers using ITR-3 and 4 have time to complete their process. Amid the tax season, we explain what invoices and documents employees should retain to support tax-free reimbursements.

With international mutual funds facing investment restrictions due to overseas limits, investors can explore domestic mutual funds with significant foreign equity exposure. A total of 15 equity and hybrid funds have invested in foreign stocks, including two schemes with more than 26% exposure.

Want to check your employees provident fund (EPF) balance, contributions, interest earned or download your passbook? Here's how you can do so using the official EPFO portal, Umang app, SMS, missed call or helpline.

A 100% debt portfolio delivered an average annual return of 6.79% with volatility of 6.38%. However, adding a 10% equity allocation improved returns to 7.99% while reducing volatility to 5.76%, showing that higher equity exposure does not always translate into higher portfolio risk.

The 8th central pay commission (CPC) has closed its window for data submission this week. Here's a look at the latest updates on its group consultations process before the panel makes its recommendations.

Delhi Lakshmi Yojana portal received 33,730+ registrations within 12 hours of its launch on 1 August. The scheme offers eligible women 2,500 per month. Women aged 21-60 years, with annual family income up to 2.5 lakh and meeting other criteria, can apply.

RBI has allowed banks to offer differential interest rates on bulk deposits based on their liquidity risk under the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) framework. We explain how this impacts customers and if this could affect your fixed deposit rates with banks

Only seven diversified equity mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of over 20% in the last 10 years, excluding sectoral and thematic schemes. A 10,000 monthly SIP in these funds grew to as much as 38.8 lakh, with small- and mid-cap funds dominating the rankings.

Multi-asset allocation funds attracted nearly 38,027 crore in H1 2026, about seven times the inflows into balanced advantage funds. The gap was driven by strong gold and silver returns, investor return-chasing behaviour, and fresh fund launches in the multi-asset category. 

Dearness Allowance or DA is a percentage of basic salary, reviewed twice annually, and aimed at offsetting the impact of inflation for government employees and pensioners. Here's a look at all the dearness allowance announcements so far

Financial experts say behavioural biases such as recency bias, loss aversion and FOMO often lead investors to buy after rallies and sell during market corrections. 

Though PPF comes with a lot of benefits, some common mistakes can make you lose key benefits or shrink your final corpus. Here's everything you need to know. 

The July 31 ITR filing deadline has passed, but many taxpayers still have time to file their returns. Here's who must file by August 31, October 31 or November 30 under the revised filing calendar for AY 2026-27.

The deadline for ITR filing has passed, yet a viral claim about a Pune CA earning 12 lakh from nearly 400 clients during this peak tax season has sparked debate.

The Gujarat High Court has held that the Income Tax Department cannot retrospectively apply the expanded powers under Section 55A to reopen old property valuation disputes. The ruling offers clarity for taxpayers involved in legacy capital gains cases.

Portability, a framework designed to benefit policyholders, is increasingly being driven by sales incentives, despite regulations prohibiting it. Consequently, the weakest link becomes the advice provided by the intermediary facilitating the switch, often with little accountability.

Investors face geopolitical risks and inflation pressures, leading to increased focus on fixed-income securities. Experts advise on building diversified bond portfolios across ratings and maturities to limit volatility, sustain income, and achieve financial goals effectively.

Taking a career break allows your EPF account to remain active, continuing to earn interest until you turn 58. You can withdraw up to 75% after unemployment, but tax applies unless you've completed five years of continuous service before withdrawal.

The Telangana High Court has ruled that taxpayers cannot lose Section 54F capital gains exemption solely because a builder delayed completing or registering a home. The judgment says delays beyond the taxpayer's control should not defeat the tax benefit if the investment has already been made.

SCSS provides government-backed safety and regular quarterly income, while Small Finance Bank FDs offer flexibility and competitive rates. Explore a detailed comparison of returns, risk, liquidity and tax advantages before choosing the right retirement investment strategy.

Millennial investor Todd Baldwin became a millionaire in his 30s by employing a combination of real estate and equity investment. Here's how he used the housing hacking strategy to gain rental income and invested it in index funds. 

Bank holidays this week: SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB and other banks across India will be closed for upto three days this week, but digital platforms like UPI and banking apps will remain operational.

Buy the Ferrari, by all means, on the day you become the person who has earned it. Until then, it's fine to admire one zooming past, and getting on with the un-Ferrari years that are the real work.

US President Donald Trump's policies have pushed up inflation, which has increased the potential social security payouts for Americans in 2027, and threatened to put the US' retirement programme at risk.

UPI transactions hit a record 29.9 lakh crore in July, with 23.66 billion transactions. The value marked a 19% annual growth compared to last year, solidifying UPI's position in India's digital payment ecosystem.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is considering one-time regularisation of contractual employees and extending entry-pay, DA, allowances, leaves and other benefits to them. Here's all we know 

ITR filing due date: More than 5.9 crore income-tax returns were filed for AY 202627 by 31 July. Taxpayers filing the ITR-3 and ITR-4 (Sugam) forms must do so by 31 August and 31 October, respectively.

Beneficiaries of the Annapurna Bhandar scheme are inquiring about the August 2026 credit date. The scheme replaces TMC's Lakshmi Bhandar, offering 3,000 monthly aid. 

The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana aims to empower eligible women by providing 2,500 in monthly assistance. Women aged 21 to 60 from households with an income of under 2.5 lakh can apply, with a local MLA or MP's recommendation required for a transparent application process.

Credit card balance transfers can lower interest costs but may temporarily affect your credit score through hard inquiries and new accounts. Experts explain why repayment discipline, lower credit utilisation and avoiding repeated transfers are essential for maintaining a healthy credit profile.

The EPFO aims to settle fresh PF withdrawal claims within the same day or a maximum of two days, easing access to savings for members. Details here. 

The revised EPF Scheme no longer permits employees to withdraw their entire PF balance after just two months of unemployment. Check the recent withdrawal rules here.

The July 31 deadline has passed, but belated filings are possible until December 31, 2026, with late fees and interest applicable. How to file ITR after due date, who gets more time, consequences, and other details here.

100 invested daily through a mutual fund SIP can potentially grow to over 1 crore in 25 years. Check how compounding, disciplined investing and starting early can help build long-term retirement wealth while understanding the risks of market-linked investments.

Consumer companies in India are gearing up for another round of price hikes, which could impact people's household expenses. This rise is attributed to a surge in commodity prices amid prolonged US-Iran conflict in West Asia. Details here.

The real protection for your EV lies in specific covers like EV Shield, which is offered as an add-on to cover batteries. An EV Shield is essential as it specifically covers the battery, electric panel, and charging equipment.

The REIT index fund provides access to commercial real estate at a low cost, with diversification and liquidity, and in a tax-efficient manner.

August will bring various financial updates for consumers, including changes in banking rules, credit card regulations, and the implementation of CKYC 2.0. Key deadlines include the income tax return filing due by August 31. Full list here.

The Delhi government approved the Lakshmi Yojana, allowing eligible women aged 21-60 to receive 2,500 monthly. An online application portal will launch on August 1, with the first payment expected around Raksha Bandhan. 

EPFO members who find their account blocked, can't remember their UAN password, are unable to access their passbook or have KYC pending can check how to fix issues using the portal or Umang app.

The initial years of SIP investing often require considerable patience. Even with disciplined monthly contributions, many investors feel disappointed as their portfolio appears to grow slowly due to market volatility and a relatively small investment base

Many women in West Bengal applied for the Annapurna Yojana but haven't received financial aid. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari set a payment deadline for August while verification continues. 

The 8th pay commission has announced its official three-day state visit to the union territory of Chandigarh in September. It will hold meetings with employee unions and stakeholders from Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

DA hike: Central government employees and retired pensioners are expecting a second increase in dearness allowance this year, sometime in the second half as a Diwali gift during the festive season.

The largest hidden cost is presenteeismwhere employees show up to work but cannot perform at their full capacity. This phenomenon accounts for 51,000 crore of the total annual cost to employers.

Having a clear understanding of co-payments and deductibles in health insurance can help policyholders estimate out-of-pocket costs, compare plans, and avoid claim surprises. This guide explains how both clauses work, their impact on premiums, and how to choose the right policy.