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Out of 45 flexi-cap schemes, only six recorded a Sortino ratio above 1, indicating stronger downside risk-adjusted performance. A Sortino ratio above 1 means the fund generated higher excess returns for every unit of downside risk faced.
The 2026 ITR season has exposed major tax reporting gaps among crypto investors, with many mistaking TDS for their final tax liability. Investors who missed the deadline can still file a belated return, report income in Schedule VDA, and claim eligible TDS refunds.
Many ELSS investors assume they can redeem their entire investment once the first SIP completes three years. However, each SIP instalment has its own three-year lock-in, resulting in staggered redemptions. The lock-in cannot be bypassed by paying an exit load.
Freelancers must file their ITR by 31 August if they are not required to get their accounts audited. The choice of ITR form, tax method and deductions depends on their income structure. Proper documentation and reconciliation of receipts and foreign income are essential for accurate filing.
Building a sizeable retirement corpus of 10 crore demands a structured investment strategy, consistent contributions and favourable market returns
Indian equities have lagged global markets due to AI-led capital flows, valuation pressures and global uncertainties. However, strong domestic demand, policy continuity, infrastructure growth and healthy fundamentals continue to support India's long-term outlook.
Consumers are becoming more value-conscious. Many are delaying upgrades, choosing previous-generation or refurbished phones, repairing existing devices, or using exchange offers
A consumer commission held a bank liable for failing to act on suspicious transactions after a woman lost nearly 6.93 lakh in a FedEx parcel scam. Despite OTP-authorised transfers, the bank was ordered to refund the amount along with interest and compensation.
Choosing a nominee for accounts or policies is crucial, but they only act as custodians until legal heirs receive assets. Final ownership is governed by wills and succession laws, not solely by the nominee. Here's what matters.
Salaried employees in India contribute to EPF, receiving matching employer contributions. Tax benefits apply, but a new rule restricts tax exemption on interest for total contributions over a certain threshold. Check rules here.
Buying or selling property in India involves more than finding the right deal. From FEMA and TDS to repatriation limits and POA rules, experts explain the compliance pitfalls NRIs must avoid.
AY 2026-7 deadlines: To ensure timely payment before last date, here's a taxpayer's guide with key dates. Learn more about penalties associated with late filing.
The EPFO has introduced a free doorstep life certificate service for EPS pensioners through India Post. Eligible pensioners unable to visit centres can call 033-22029000 for assistance. The facility helps ensure timely pension payments through easy digital certificate submission from home.
Five small-cap mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of more than 20% over the past decade, highlighting the category's long-term wealth-creation potential. A comparison of three-, five- and 10-year returns also shows how leadership has evolved across different market cycles.
An EPFO officers' association has written to the Labour Minister highlighting delays in PF claim settlements, shortage of IT staff and manpower gaps. The body has also sought reforms in the pension system, CITES implementation and leadership structure within the retirement fund organisation.
The Delhi High Court asked the Centre to respond to a PIL that is seeking automatic TDS refunds for individuals with no tax liabilities, challenging the requirement to file ITR for refunds. Full details of the demand here.
The Centre has clarified that central government employees cannot claim HRA if one spouse is allotted government accommodation at the same station. It also confirmed there is no proposal to review the existing House Rent Allowance policy for dualemployee couples.
Young people often struggle with how to allocate salary between SIPs and emergency funds. Expert advises prioritizing a strong financial foundation, making informed investment choices, and maintaining discipline for long-term wealth.
Many investors unknowingly hold investments that no longer create value or align with their financial goals. Experts explain how to identify these dead investments and decide whether they deserve a place in your portfolio.
The 8th Pay Commission consultations are entering a crucial phase, with NC-JCMs retirement benefit demands, including higher gratuity, pension parity and OPS restoration, expected to shape discussions on employee welfare, retirement security and future government pension reforms.
Loan approval may vary despite two applicants having similar salaries and living in same cities. Here's a list of factors that may determine your loan interest rates, amount or even approval.
PVR INOX launched a new format designed to deliver an affordable yet premium movie-viewing experience in Tier III cities across India. The first Smart Cinemas will be unveiled in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Probate is no longer mandatory in India after the 2025 legal amendment, but it can still help validate a will and reduce inheritance disputes. Here's what probate means, how it differs from a succession certificate, and what happens if a person dies without a will.
Even after missing the July 31 ITR deadline, taxpayers can file a belated return to seek refunds. However, it comes with additional costs and consequences. Check here.
Gold and silver prices today, 6 August: 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.
The RBI Governor said it is too early to decide whether UPI transactions will attract Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), even as the proposed Payment and Settlement Systems (Amendment) Bill has revived the debate.
The Income Tax Department is using data analytics, verification checks and SAKSHAM NUDGE campaigns to identify fake deduction claims. Over 1.25 crore updated ITRs have been filed, generating 9,493 crore additional tax payments during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
The June CPI-IW data has completed the calculation for the July 2026 Dearness Allowance revision under the 7th Pay Commission. Here's why the official inflation numbers point to a likely 3% hike and what it could mean for employees and pensioners.
PFRDA has extended the NPS same-day investment cut-off from 11 am to 1:30 pm, allowing more contributions to qualify for same-day investment. The revised deadline applies across all major NPS payment channels, improving flexibility, operational efficiency and the subscriber experience.
Health insurance portability was designed to empower India's policyholders through choice and competition, but its real-world impact remains limited.
REITs are often mistaken for fixed-income products due to their regular payouts, but they carry equity-like risks. Their returns depend on rental income, occupancy and property cycles, making them a diversification tool rather than a substitute for debt investments.
The Indian tax law does not provide any special exemption or relief for losses or gains arising solely due to depreciation of the Indian rupee against the foreign currency during the investment period.
UPI users may remain unaffected even if Merchant Discount Rate is introduced, according to Bernstein. The brokerage expects large merchants to bear a 30-40 bps fee, while small merchants and low-value transactions may remain exempt. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says it is too early to comment.
Interest rates on fixed deposits differ significantly among banks. Investors should consider factors such as bank reputation and financial goals when choosing deposit options with varying maturities.
The Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility for ITR-6 for AY 2026-27. The utility is now available on the e-Filing portal. The form is applicable to companies that are not claiming exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act.
Cash optimisation apps allow you to park unused money in liquid mutual funds or fixed deposits, delivering higher yields than standard savings accounts.
The EPFO is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August to help members recover money lying in old or inactive PF accounts. The Aadhaar-based portal aims to simplify account tracing, reduce paperwork, enable UAN linking, and make claims faster through a digital process.
The RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% while raising its FY27 growth forecast and trimming its inflation estimate. Here's why salaried employees shouldn't expect lower EMIs, cheaper loans or sharply lower FD rates just yet.
The Mumbai ITAT ruled that a genuine property purchase from a spouse cannot be denied Section 54F tax exemption merely because it results in tax savings. The tribunal found no evidence of tax avoidance and allowed a taxpayer's 6.92 crore exemption claim after the tax department challenged it.
The RBI held the policy repo rate at 5.25%, maintaining a cautious stance amid uncertainties. Governor Malhotra noted the uncertain growth outlook due to various factors. Here's what retail investors should do in such times.
While business and professional filers of ITR-3 and ITR-4 get more time, even those who missed the 31 July deadline get a chance to file a belated ITR, though with a penalty.
Early loan repayment reduces interest costs but may not immediately improve credit scores. Experts explain how timely payments, credit utilisation, debt management and responsible borrowing habits play a bigger role in building a strong credit profile.
South Korea's AI-driven stock market boom turned into a sharp rout within weeks. Here's what Indian investors can learn about leverage, passive investing, diversification and FOMO.
Indian households are among the world's most disciplined savers. But an increasing share of those savings is flowing into unproductive assets, limiting both long-term wealth creation and capital formation.
A sharp reversal has reshaped the mutual fund leaderboard in 2026, with many of last year's best-performing categories slipping. Here's what the latest data shows and why experts say investors should avoid chasing past returns.
F&O traders need to understand turnover calculation before filing ITR. Check how futures and options turnover is computed, why it affects tax audit rules, ITR-3 filing, books of accounts, and compliance requirements before the August 31 deadline.
NPS returns can vary significantly depending on the pension fund manager and the asset class you choose. Here's how Tata, ICICI Prudential, HDFC, UTI and other pension funds performed over one, three and five years.
8th Pay Commission: Stakeholder consultations will be held in Jaipur on 31 August and 1 September. Central government and UT employee associations in Rajasthan can apply by 18 August using their Memo ID to participate.
Income tax refunds occur when paid taxes exceed actual liabilities after deductions and they are processed after ITR e-verification. Here's when to expect it and common reasons for delay.
Taxpayers who missed the July 31 ITR deadline can still file a belated return until December 31, 2026. Here's the filing process, applicable late fees, and the tax benefits you may lose by filing late.

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