Livemint

Once the dearness allowance (DA) is announced, the increased salary would be transferred to the accounts of central government employees with effect from 1 January 2026. 

The financial year 2026-27 begins today, and the Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers tax benefits and a 7.1% interest rate, making it a safe long-term investment. Here's how you can maximise returns

Indian employees may receive higher gratuity payouts under the new Labour Codes, which redefine wage calculations. Here's a look at when a higher gratuity is applicable, who is eligible, the changes to the calculation and the impact on in-hand salary.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.