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How rising crude oil prices and market volatility could impact your personal finances

Stock market volatility driven by rising crude oil prices, FII sell-offs, and inflation concerns reshapes the personal finance outlook, underscoring the importance of disciplined SIP investing, diversification, and long-term wealth creation. 

15 May 2026 1:29 pm
What the US CLARITY Act could mean for Indias crypto future Expert says, rules must fit Indias large market

The Senate Banking Committee advanced the CLARITY Act, aiming to regulate cryptocurrencies amid industry tensions. Supported by some Democrats, the bill moves to the full Senate, indicating a shift towards structured crypto policymaking and potential global regulatory implications.

15 May 2026 1:25 pm
How fuel price hikes could impact inflation and your daily expenses; expert warns food, transport costs may rise

Petrol and diesel prices in India increased by 3 per litre, with CNG rising by 2 per kg. This hike aims to offset losses from rising crude oil prices, but concerns about its impact on retail inflation persist, especially in sectors like agriculture and transportation.

15 May 2026 11:50 am
Income Tax return filing for AY 2026-27 begins: Check who can file ITR-1 and ITR-4

ITR filing for AY 2026-27 begins as the Income Tax Department enables Excel utilities and online filing for ITR-1 and ITR-4 on the e-Filing portal for eligible taxpayers in the country.

15 May 2026 11:33 am
Gold and silver price today, 15 May: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai, other cities

Gold price today: Gold rates dropped on the MCX on Friday morning amid a stronger US dollar, driven by elevated crude oil prices. International gold prices declined to an over one-week low, looking set for a weekly decline.

15 May 2026 10:29 am
Petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG get costlier: How much more Indians are paying amid West Asia conflict City-wise rates here

In May, Indian consumers experienced a significant rise in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel increasing by 3 per litre, the first hike in four years. CNG prices also rose by 2 per kg, reflecting the impact of escalating global crude prices due to the West Asia conflict.

15 May 2026 10:06 am
Petrol, Diesel Price Hike News LIVE: Fuel prices hiked by 3/litre after elections as crude costs bite

Petrol, Diesel Price hike news LIVE: Petrol and diesel prices across India were raised by 3 per litre on May 15, pushing fuel costs higher in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and other cities. The hike comes amid surging global crude oil prices and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

15 May 2026 9:21 am
Focus on the horizon: Bajaj Finserv's Nimesh Chandan sees Nifty at 27,000 despite volatility

As markets swing on global headlines, Bajaj Finserv AMC CIO Nimesh Chandan says investors should focus on long-term trends, not noise and sees the Nifty heading to 27,000.

15 May 2026 9:00 am
Explained | What caused the hike in petrol and diesel prices and why rates differ across Indian cities

Petrol and diesel prices increased by 3 per litre after four years without revisions. Petrol now costs 97.77 in Delhi, while diesel is 90.67. Prices vary by city, with significant increases attributed to rising global energy costs amid geopolitical tensions.

15 May 2026 8:45 am
Living in Mumbai on 25,000? Womans monthly budgeting formula goes viral It's hard girl, just own it

A woman claims that 25,000 is sufficient to live in Mumbai, sharing her budgeting tips in a viral video. While some praise her financial skills, others question the feasibility of her budget, noting her expenses seem to exceed her claimed limit.

15 May 2026 8:09 am
Clarity Act clears key Senate hurdle: What it means for crypto users, stablecoins and exchanges

The Senate Banking Committee advanced the Clarity Act, establishing cryptocurrency regulations. With bipartisan support, the bill aims to create transparency in crypto transactions and anti-money laundering rules

15 May 2026 7:09 am
How to combine investment styles through factor investing

Factor funds are aligned to indices that are variation of regular indices, but with a specific investment trait

15 May 2026 7:00 am
Clarity Act: Long-stalled Crypto market bill wins key Senate committee vote

The Senate Banking Committee advanced a landmark digital asset market structure bill Thursday after months of negotiations, signaling fresh momentum for the long-stalled measure.

15 May 2026 5:50 am
EPF account inoperative? Here's what EPFO members can do to access their account Stepwise guide

Worried about inoperative EPF account? Here's a breakdown of how the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation categorises such accounts, how the funds can be redeemed and what steps members can take to recover it.

14 May 2026 11:35 pm
Mismatch in ITR? Here's how to address and correct it online

The Income-Tax department can issue notices for discrepancies in tax returns. A notice doesn't imply trouble but may require correction. Taxpayers should verify notices online and respond promptly with necessary documents to avoid penalties.

14 May 2026 10:46 pm
I asked ChatGPT: How should I spend my first salary? AI gave me the most underrated advice

ChatGPT advises young professionals to avoid lifestyle inflation and focus on building financial systems. Key habits include increasing investments with salary hikes, avoiding fixed obligations, and prioritising income expansion. 

14 May 2026 10:25 pm
Emergency Fund Rule: How much cash should you keep in reserve to protect SIP and FD investments?

Many people mistake a reserve pool for a short-term investment or misinterpret a credit card limit for a buffer.

14 May 2026 10:07 pm
Starting SIP 5 years later can reduce corpus by nearly 5crHere's how much you can get over 30 years with 5,000/month

Delaying SIP by 10 or even five years can have significant impact on your final corpus a difference of as much as 5 crore in the final value. Here's a look at how much wealth 5,000 per month in SIPs over varying number of years, can generate for you

14 May 2026 8:55 pm
Census 2027: How enumerators' QR code-based ID cards will protect you from doorstep impersonation scams

Census 2027 introduces QR code-based ID cards for enumerators to enhance security and reduce cyberfraud risks during door-to-door data collection. Here's all you need to know. 

14 May 2026 8:50 pm
India F&O boom: Retail investors lose money, algo desks gain: ClearTax's Archit Gupta on how traders can stay ahead

Retail participation in F&O trading is on the rise. However, individual traders keep losing significant sums of money, whereas institutions earn through algorithmic strategies. Here's how traders can stay ahead in the game, as advised by ClearTax CEO Archit Gupta.

14 May 2026 8:11 pm
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana returns explained: What yearly investments can grow into

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account is presently providing 8.2% earnings per period, calculated yearly

14 May 2026 7:03 pm
Public Provident Fund vs Fixed Deposits vs SIPs: Which one should a first-time investor start?

PPF vs FDs vs SIPs: A first-time investor's choice should depend on your particular financial situation and future goals. Take a look below to assess, which works best for your lifestyle and planned retirement targets

14 May 2026 6:57 pm
Turning 60? Here are the top 5 health insurance plans for senior citizens in 2026

Senior citizens' health insurance plans should offer better claim support, chronic illness coverage, restoration benefits and flexible features. These 2026 plans will help protect the elderly against rising healthcare costs.

14 May 2026 6:27 pm
8th central pay commission: Hike in minimum pay, increment and DA Here's how employee groups want salaries to change

The 8th central pay commission is consulting with stakeholders to gather input for its recommendations. Meetings are scheduled across various states and territories to collect feedback. Here's what some of the biggest employee groups are demanding

14 May 2026 4:32 pm
How the deemed residency rule can hurt NRIs in some West Asian countries

If Indian-source taxable income from property sales, equity gains, dividend or interest crosses 15 lakh in any financial year, deemed residency kicks in and every treaty benefit disappears.

14 May 2026 3:48 pm
50-30-20 vs envelope vs zero-based budgeting: Which method suits you best?

50-30-20, envelope, and zero-based budgeting: three personal finance systems that help manage income, control spending, and improve savings discipline through structured planning, flexible methods, and financial clarity. 

14 May 2026 2:40 pm
Can Indians earn from idle gold through stablecoins? Why CoinSwitch co-founder sees challenges in Nikhil Kamaths idea

Nikhil Kamath proposed a gold-backed stablecoin to monetize idle gold in Indian households. CoinSwitch's Ashish Singhal noted existing global products but highlighted challenges with India's gold, including regulation, trust, and storage of non-standardized gold assets.

14 May 2026 1:43 pm
EPFO deadline alert: File April 2026 ECR, deposit PF dues by 15 May to avoid penalties

The EPFO ECR filing deadline reminder urges employers to submit the April 2026 returns and deposit provident fund contributions by 15 May to avoid penalties, interest charges and compliance issues. 

14 May 2026 12:34 pm
Should you add silver instead of gold after the duty hike-triggered price rally? Experts say, a tactical addition

India has increased import tariffs on gold and silver to 15%, up from 6%, to reduce imports and protect foreign exchange reserves. This tariff increase led to a nearly 6% price surge in both metals, impacting demand for gold jewellery and prompting investors to consider silver as an alternative.

14 May 2026 11:47 am
Income isnt wealth: The silent trap of high-flying executives

High income, high lifestyle, zero strategy. Why even top executives with stellar careers often fail at wealth creation and how misplaced confidence and poor execution derail financial futures.

14 May 2026 10:58 am
Mirae Asset launches SIF-based Platinum Hybrid Long-Short Fund key details explained

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has launched the Platinum Hybrid Long-Short Fund under the SIF category, offering conservative investors risk-adjusted returns through hedged equity, arbitrage and debt exposure in the country.

14 May 2026 10:50 am
Gold and silver price today, May 14: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai, other cities

Gold and silver prices fell in India on 14 May amid key global developments. MCX gold futures slipped 0.37% to 1,62,270 per 10 gm, while silver futures dropped 1.61% to 2,96,160 per kg. Markets remained focused on the Trump-Xi summit, the new US Fed chair, and oil market volatility.

14 May 2026 10:07 am
Bengal DA hike soon: Can Suvendu Adhikari's cabinet bridge the Centre-state gap? Here's what to expect

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the cabinet will discuss Dearness Allowance and the Seventh Pay Commission on May 18. A recent 4% DA increase brings it to 22%, but state employees still lag behind central staff due to differing pay commissions.

14 May 2026 9:57 am
Warren Buffett flags three dangerous trends for investors in 2026: Thats not investing

Warren Buffett cautioned against the growing trend of gambling in investing as markets reach record highs, citing excessive greed driving asset prices. He pointed to the rise of one-day options trading and prediction markets as alarming developments that misprice securities.

14 May 2026 8:48 am
DA hike in Bihar: Samrat Choudhary govt announces DA, DR hike for employees, pensioners Check new rates, effective date

The Bihar government has approved a Dearness Allowance increase for state employees and pensioners, raising it by 5 percentage points for the 6th Central Pay Commission and by 9 points for the 5th, effective January 1, 2026. This is a key financial decision by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

14 May 2026 7:21 am
Social Security raise in 2027? New forecasts signal a higher COLA than earlier expected

New inflation data suggests a possible 4.2% increase in Social Security COLA for 2027, up from 3.2%. Rising costs of essentials have led to revised projections by analysts and advocacy groups, highlighting a significant loss in purchasing power for beneficiaries since 2016.

14 May 2026 6:21 am
Locked EPFO account? Here's why it happened and how you can recover it

See an EPF account locked message when you try to log into your employee provident fund. This can happen due to multiple reasons. Here's what steps EPFO members can take to resolve the issue and access their account

13 May 2026 11:52 pm
Why is the EPFO launching a new website? Here's all you need to know about E-PRAAPTI portal

The EPFO is all set to launch a new web portal soon, known as the E-PRAAPTI, to help members recover their old and inoperative employee provident fund accounts. Here's all you need to know

13 May 2026 10:28 pm
I asked ChatGPT how to build fintech startup in 5 years on 10 LPA job: AI didn't sugarcoat anything

A Bengaluru tech professional sought a realistic startup plan from ChatGPT. The advice emphasised using a stable job as financial capital, maintaining low fixed expenses and focusing on genuine problems over trendy ideas. 

13 May 2026 9:54 pm
Income-tax rules: Capital gains taxation on digital, paper, physical and inherited gold for Indians and NRIs, explained

Income-tax rules: Here's how capital gains generated from digital, paper (which includes gold ETFs, gold mutual funds and sovereign gold bonds) physical and inherited gold are taxed for residents and NRIs.

13 May 2026 8:56 pm
ITR filing 2026: Sold property at a loss? Heres how you can claim income tax relief this year

Property sales can sometimes result in capital losses due to various reasons. Taxpayers are allowed to set off such losses against capital gains. Both short-term and long-term losses can be carried forward for up to eight years. Full details here.

13 May 2026 8:17 pm
Canara Bank hikes MCLR rate by 5 bps Here's a look at how this impacts your auto, home and personal loan repayments

Public sector lender Canara Bank on Tuesday (12 May) hiked its MCLR rates by 5 bps. We explore how this increase will likely impact borrowers' repayments for car loans, home loans and personal loans.

13 May 2026 7:20 pm
PPF extension vs phased withdrawals: What should investors choose after account maturity?

After a PPF account matures, investors can withdraw the corpus, extend it for five years, or make phased withdrawals. Choices depend on financial goals and liquidity needs. Details here.

13 May 2026 7:12 pm
8th Pay Commission latest updates: 5 key developments on meetings, fitment factor and salary revision

8th Pay Commission consultations are gaining pace, with stakeholder meetings, regional visits, and an extension of the memorandum deadline, as central government employees and pensioners await updates on salary and pension revisions. 

13 May 2026 6:57 pm
Did your elderly parent become victim of cyber fraud? From saving proof to filing FIR, heres what you should do next

To file an FIR for a cybercrime involving elderly parents or family members, swift evidence collection, online fraud reporting and bank notification are crucial. Quick action will help minimise financial losses and protect the victim's rights. 

13 May 2026 5:47 pm
8th central pay commission: Why are staff representatives demanding expansion of family units from 3 to 5, explained

The NC-JCM, led by Shiv Gopal Mishra, submitted a 51-page memorandum to the 8th CPC, proposing salary hike, increased minimum pay and expansion of family units for salary calculations from 3 to 5 to reflect current realities.

13 May 2026 5:39 pm
Pension amount for elderly, widows under NSAP unchanged since 2012; inflation makes it worse

When adjusted to the current Consumer Price Index (CPI), a pension of 200 should cost 353 to retain its original purchasing power.

13 May 2026 5:01 pm
Bank FD vs SCSS: Which investment gives better returns over 5 years?

SCSS vs FD comparison highlights higher assured returns from government-backed schemes than bank fixed deposits over five years, with SCSS offering superior maturity value alongside FD flexibility for investors. 

13 May 2026 3:38 pm
What happens if you dont extend SCSS tenure? Rules, interest and withdrawal explained

The Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers investment options for individuals aged 60 and above, with quarterly interest payments. It has a five-year maturity period and allows extensions. Here's what happens if you extend the tenure.

13 May 2026 3:34 pm
Dearness Allowance: Indian Railways hikes DA for employees by 2% effective from 1 January Here's all you need to know

Dearness Allowance: After the Finance Ministry and IBA, the Indian Railways has also hiked DA component of employees' salaries by 2%, from 58% to 60%, with effect from 1 January 2026. Here's all you need to know

13 May 2026 3:14 pm