SENSEX
NIFTY
GOLD
USD/INR

Weather

image 30    C

Livemint

Economy / Livemint

DA hike delayed, arrears expected in April: 5 reasons behind the unusual delay this year

The central government is expected to announce a DA hike in April 2026, benefitting over 1 crore employees and pensioners.  The unusual delay is likely due to administrative checks, the 8th Pay Commission transition and the approval process, with arrears assured, say experts.

1 Apr 2026 6:36 pm
Understanding jewellery insurance: Here's all you need to know about securing your gold against risks

Indian households hold 25,000-30,000 tonnes of gold, valued at nearly $5 trillion. With limited bank locker availability, experts recommend jewellery insurance to cover risks like theft and natural disasters, especially as gold prices rise.

1 Apr 2026 6:05 pm
Have you only invested in the provident fund so far? Here's how to diversify

Despite the discipline, your portfolio lacks the diversification and high-growth potential that other asset classes can provide.

1 Apr 2026 5:22 pm
The volatility trap: Why straddles and strangles fail when you need them most

Options sold as volatility plays hide a structural flawone retail traders often discover too late, after the market moves, premiums collapse, and the trade that seemed safe quietly turns costly.

1 Apr 2026 1:44 pm
Rupee hits 95: 6 ways the fall affects your personal finances, experts weigh in

Rupee hits an all-time low against the dollar, impacting personal finances with rising costs on products and services, costlier imports, and higher EMIs. Such a situation requires proper decision-making and long-term investment strategies, highlighting the importance of smart financial planning.

1 Apr 2026 1:40 pm
Diversification feels boringuntil markets fall: What investors are missing

Equity SIPs are delivering negative returns despite disciplined investing, data shared by Zerodhas Nithin Kamath shows. Investors often overlook diversification in bull markets. Heres why balancing equity with debt and gold helps manage risk and stay invested through volatility.

1 Apr 2026 12:52 pm
Expenses rise with summer heat: Weather-proof your budget

From soaring electricity bills and AC cab rides to vacations, summer camps and medical buffers, Indias summer can raise household expenses by 1012%. Heres how to plan ahead.

1 Apr 2026 11:30 am
April 1 checklist: 10 money moves you must make today to start FY27 right

Start FY27 strong with a smart financial planning checklist covering budgeting, tax-saving investments, insurance review, emergency funds, SIP growth and portfolio rebalancing to secure long-term financial stability. 

1 Apr 2026 9:47 am
Income Tax, Finance Changes, April 1 LIVE Updates: Check how new I-T Act impacts your in-hand salary from today

Income Tax, Finance Changes, April 1 LIVE Updates: The New Income Tax Act comes into effect today, April 1, 2026. Get real-time updates on tax slabs, increased standard deductions, and the simplified capital gains regime. See how your take-home salary changes today.

1 Apr 2026 6:31 am
Here's how your in-hand salary changes after 1 April as new Income-Tax Act comes into effect Check details

The new Income-Tax Act effective from 1 April may impact your take-home salary as companies adjust components and exemptions and taxes come into play. Here's what could change

31 Mar 2026 11:17 pm
Centre notifies income tax return forms for AY27: Here's all you need to know

The income-tax department has notified all seven ITR forms for AY2026-27. Taxpayers must choose the correct ITR form based on their past tax filing history and current income profile. 

31 Mar 2026 9:15 pm
How do I secure my business recipe and brand for the next generation?

A 70-year-old soft drink entrepreneur seeks advice on passing on his recipe, brand name, logo and other intellectual property to his children through structured estate planning.

31 Mar 2026 8:31 pm
Old tax regime vs new tax regime: Do I-T Act changes in April have an impact? Check which is better for you

In Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced no income tax for salaries up to 12 lakh under the new tax regime. Taxpayers must choose between new and old regimes based on their financial situation.

31 Mar 2026 7:54 pm
Your gold jewellery in bank lockers may not be fully insured. Here's how you can truly secure it

Indian households hold 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of gold, mostly in jewellery and coins, with significant wealth gains from rising gold prices. Here's how to navigate the questions over storage, safety, insurance, investment and risk-returns.

31 Mar 2026 7:24 pm
Indian real estate needs capital to scale and grow

As demand consolidates and developers expand, investors say rising reliance on formal funding will shape housing, office and new asset classes

31 Mar 2026 6:12 pm
US Social Security Payments April 2026 schedule: Key dates for beneficiaries, eligibility criteria

Social Security payments in the United States for April 2026 will be distributed based on beneficiaries birth dates. Those born between the 1st and 10th will receive payments on 8 April, while others will be paid later in the month.

31 Mar 2026 4:30 pm
Confused about EPF? 5 common myths on interest, pension and retirement age decoded

EPF rules explained with clarity on interest, pension eligibility, withdrawals, and retirement timelines, helping salaried individuals optimise EPF benefits and avoid costly misconceptions in long-term financial planning.

31 Mar 2026 4:30 pm
Money rule changes from 1 April: From 2FA for digital payments to revised ATM charges, top 5 updates you should know

Starting 1 April 2026, significant financial rule changes will affect taxpayers, bank customers, and digital payment users in India, including the new Income Tax Act and the two-factor authentication for digital transactions. Details here. 

31 Mar 2026 3:19 pm
CBDT clarifies TDS on bank interest under Income Tax Act 2025: Key updates, thresholds and smart money moves | Explained

CBDT clarifies TDS on bank interest under the Income Tax Act 2025, ensuring clear thresholds, senior citizen benefits and smooth compliance, helping depositors manage fixed deposits and recurring interest efficiently.

31 Mar 2026 2:21 pm
How the West Asia war is impacting airfares and what should you do

Fuel spikes, airspace closures and lifted fare caps are pushing ticket prices sharply higherreshaping business and leisure travel plans across domestic and global routes.

31 Mar 2026 1:33 pm
Wellness, risks and returns: Inside Rakulpreet Singhs investment strategy

The actor-entrepreneur invests in fitness, food, and lifestyle brands, betting on passionate founders while managing losses strategically.

31 Mar 2026 1:10 pm
How RBIs Sachet Portal can help you stay safe from financial fraud in FY27; 5-step guide to file complaint

RBI Sachet Portal helps users verify financial institutions, report fraud, and track complaints.

31 Mar 2026 12:14 pm
Duration or accrual: Where should debt investors park money now?

Debt mutual funds follow different strategiessome bet on falling rates, others earn steady income. With yield spreads wide, heres how duration and accrual strategies stack up now.

31 Mar 2026 11:48 am
Market crashes teach what no book or course ever can

The only way to truly learn investing is to live through the fear and the panicbecause markets dont test your knowledge, they test your nerve. Real conviction is forged not in bull runs, but in moments when staying invested feels hardest.

31 Mar 2026 11:09 am
8th Pay Commission to visit Dehradun on 24 April; stakeholders can apply by 10 April

8th Central Pay Commission Dehradun Visit 2026 invites stakeholders for consultations on pay, allowances, and pensions. The deadline to submit participation requests for the 24 April meeting is 10 April.

31 Mar 2026 10:20 am
April 1 Financial Rule Change LIVE Updates: ITR, PAN, salary, LPG prices set for major revisions

April 1 Financial Rule Changes LIVE Updates: One of the most significant changes from 1 April is the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025. Follow Mint's LIVE coverage of 1 April financial rule changes.

31 Mar 2026 7:54 am
Govt announces small savings schemes interest rates for April-June 2026: Here's how much you get for PPF, NSC, deposits

The Centre has kept interest rates of small savings schemes unchanged for the April-June 2026 quarter. Here's how much you get for PPF, NSC, Sukanya Samriddhi, Kisan Vikas Patra and post deposits. 

30 Mar 2026 11:11 pm
When do banks deduct TDS on interest income? 50,000 rule explained

With the Income Tax Act, 2025, taking effect from 1 April 2026, the I-T department clarified that TDS on interest will apply only above the set thresholds. The definition of banking company remains broad, ensuring no extra TDS burden on depositors due to legal changes.

30 Mar 2026 11:06 pm
JDA and capital gains: What happens when family members co-own property

When a property is settled among family members before a joint development deal, can capital gains be fully exempt if each retains a flat? Heres how Sections 82 and 86 apply.

30 Mar 2026 6:28 pm
Home loan after 60: 5 ways pensioners can boost credit score, improve approval chances

Improving credit score after 60 can ease home loan approvals, with simple steps like timely repayments, and joint applications helping pensioners secure better loan terms and rates. This can be accomplished successfully, with proper planning and guidance from a certified financial advisor. 

30 Mar 2026 6:05 pm
Achieve FY27 personal finance goals: Here's a month-by-month guide to beat deadlines, manage taxes and investments

A structured personal finance plan for FY27 helps manage taxes, investments and spending with ease, ensuring disciplined money management, timely compliance and steady long-term financial growth.

30 Mar 2026 4:59 pm
The unplanned expense in your 50s: Paying for ageing parents care

Geriatric care mainly has two recurring expenses: round the clock care and medical costs. 

30 Mar 2026 4:43 pm
Bank locker loss? Why RBI rules have capped the compensation limit Explained

Banks provide locker holders compensation fixed at 100 times the annual locker rent in case of loss, Nirmala Sitharaman said while replying to a question in Lok Sabha.

30 Mar 2026 3:26 pm
War or no war, the fundamentals of investing remain unchanged: Sanjay Grover of Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund

For long-term investors, staggered investments through diversified equity funds remain a prudent way to navigate volatility, says Sanjay Grover, MD and CEO, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.

30 Mar 2026 3:00 pm
What are FD-backed credit cards? Are they worth it? Benefits, risks and best options

FD-backed credit cards offer a simple way to build a credit score using fixed deposits, with easy approval, steady interest earnings, and manageable risks when used responsibly and strategically. Here is a list of the top credit cards against fixed deposits in 2026.

30 Mar 2026 2:46 pm
How FCNR accounts offer safe, stable returns for NRIs key features explained

FCNR accounts allow NRIs to invest in foreign currencies, offering tax-exempt interest in India. Loans against these deposits are available, but restrictions apply. Interest rates are competitive, and deposits are fully repatriable, making them a secure investment option.

30 Mar 2026 1:48 pm
7 personal finance rules you can't ignore to make your FY27 successful

Master personal finance rules to make FY27 successful by tracking spending, managing debt, building emergency funds, investing smartly, reviewing insurance, automating savings and planning taxes efficiently.

30 Mar 2026 1:18 pm
From company cars to interest-free loans: CA explains whats changing for salaried employees from April 1

According to an X post by CA Nitin Kaushik, who claims to be an expert in tax and financing, the new Income Tax Rules will to some extent shrink your take-home salary.

30 Mar 2026 12:28 pm
The 12% surcharge: who's affected and who benefits from the new share buyback rules?

A flat 12% surcharge on buyback gains has replaced the old slab-based system, creating a surprising divide between small promoters and the corporate elite.

30 Mar 2026 12:23 pm
Top 5 LIC plans in 2026: Benefits, eligibility criteria, premiums and more

Prominent LIC plans in 2026 offer a mix of life cover and savings with stable returns, tax benefits, and flexible payouts, helping investors decide based on long-term goals, premiums, and risk appetite.

30 Mar 2026 11:07 am
Paying on time isnt enough, credit utilisation matters too: HDB Financial CCO Rohit Patwardhan

Paying EMIs on time alone isnt enough, high credit utilisation and frequent loan applications can still hurt your credit score by signalling over-dependence on credit.

30 Mar 2026 11:03 am
April 1 Financial Rule Change LIVE Updates: ITR, salary, railway ticket cancellation norms, LPG prices to be revised

April 1 Financial Rule Changes LIVE: One of the most significant changes from 1 April is the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025. Follow Mint's LIVE coverage of 1 April financial rule changes.

30 Mar 2026 7:36 am
Real estate premiumization not a temporary trend, say experts

The real estate sector is witnessing a permanent shift toward premiumization as buyers and companies prioritize global-standard quality over price. Driven by increased capital access and the need to retain talent, the luxury segment continues to grow even as mass-market housing demand cools.

29 Mar 2026 5:56 pm
How an NRI can fight an ex parte tax order

You should register on the income tax e-filing portal using your PAN, add your email ID, and update your address to your current foreign residence as an immediate step

29 Mar 2026 4:28 pm
April 1 Financial Rule Change LIVE Updates: Income tax, salary, PAN, gratuity to undergo massive overhaul as FY27 starts

April 1 Financial Changes LIVE: A host of new changes are coming into effect from 1 April, 2026, as the new financial year begins. Follow Mint's LIVE coverage of 1 April financial rule changes.

29 Mar 2026 8:22 am
Why you lose money holding precious things: The emotional tag

From empty flats to losing stocks and unused wardrobes, the Endowment Effect makes us overvalue what we own. Heres how emotional pricing quietly erodes wealthand how to stop paying the ego tax.

29 Mar 2026 7:01 am
You can give mutual funds as a gift card soon. Here is how

Sebi has proposed prepaid Gift PPIs that let you gift up to 10,000 for mutual fund investments a move aimed at easing first-time investors into the market.

29 Mar 2026 7:00 am
The noisy pursuit of money versus the quiet creation of wealth

The obsessive tracking of portfolios, the anxiety over short-term market movements, the urge to trade rather than holdall of these confuse activity with progress. They mistake the scoreboard for the game.

29 Mar 2026 7:00 am
Changes from April 1 (Updated LIVE): From salary, PAN card to other changes you need to know about as new fiscal dawns

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.

28 Mar 2026 7:20 am
Can you use two health insurance policies for one hospital bill? Here's what experts say

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. 

27 Mar 2026 7:53 pm