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Life-cycle mutual funds automatically adjust their asset allocation as a goal approaches, while a DIY portfolio lets investors decide how to divide their money across equity, debt and gold or silver ETFs. Experts explain how the two approaches differ and which one you should choose.

Suburban homes may offer more space for less, but hidden costs like commuting can diminish savings. It's vital to evaluate total living expenses and time lost when considering relocation. 

Hybrid mutual funds span categories with different equity, debt and asset-allocation strategies. Over 10 years, returns have varied sharply across these categories. Heres a look at the funds that delivered the highest returns and those that were at the lower end of the list.

Accepting possession of a delayed flat does not bar a homebuyer from claiming interest, according to the Allahabad High Court, which added that RERA rules do not specify a limit period on such payment. 

SIFs offer investors access to specialised strategies with a 10 lakh minimum investment, while the new PRIM route allows professionally managed portfolios with a 25 lakh minimum. Heres how direct SIF investing differs from PRIM and what investors should consider.

NPS Vatsalya allows parents to secure their child's financial future by opening an account for minors. Launched in September 2024, it is regulated by the PFRDA, requiring a minimum annual contribution of 1,000.

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) for Traders offers eligible shopkeepers and self-employed persons an assured 3,000 monthly pension after 60. But with inflation and retirement expenses rising, is this enough? 

Loan closure is not just about making the final payment. Borrowers should also complete the necessary documentation and ensure that the lender updates the account correctly.

Indians under 30 years of age, or Gen Zs, now constitute 38% of investors. A report explores how India's wealth inclusion has evolved and why the capital markets have gained popularity as a choice of investment. 

Reliance Industries has fallen 25% in 2026, putting mutual funds with high exposure to the stock in focus. While some schemes have larger allocations than others, the impact varies across fund categories. Heres what investors should know about their exposure and portfolio risk.

Under the revised SEBI framework, eligible equity mutual funds can allocate their residual portfolio to assets such as gold ETFs, silver ETFs, and Infrastructure Investment Trusts.

An NRI returning to India may become taxable on salary for services rendered from India, even if the employer is Canadian and the salary continues to be credited to a Canadian bank account.

EPFO members can withdraw funds for medical, educational, or housing needs. Here's a look at the EPFO's rules for partial and early withdrawal by subscribers and the full list of reasons you can use to access your provident fund corpus.

Interest rates may stay higher for longer as the Fed resumes hikes. Axis MF expects the RBI to tighten rates and favours 1-3 year corporate bonds, while remaining cautious on long SDLs. Heres what debt mutual fund investors should know as bond yields rise.

A 30 lakh salary can make a 50 lakh luxury car seem affordable, but monthly expenses like insurance and servicing can consume up to 50% of your income. 

More than 100 million Indians could join long-term investing by 2035, says an EY report.

A high-level committee has been formed, including leadership from various banks and unions, to discuss the implementation of a five-day work week following a deferred strike by the UFBU due to ongoing concerns over incentives and other employee issues.

The tax audit deadline for AY 2026-27 has been extended to 21 October, but taxpayers who have completed the audit need not wait to file their ITR. An expert explains when you can file early, key checks before filing, and how to revise the return if an audit error is found later.

The EPFO wage ceiling has risen to 25,000 from 17 September 2026. If you earn 20,000, your September EPF and EPS contribution depends on your membership status. Here are three scenarios showing how much you and your employer contribute, and how EDLI applies.

The requirement to file an ITR depends on several factors, including the taxpayer's total income, age, residential status and the nature of income earned during the financial year.

India has more than doubled the import duty on gold and silver to 15%, and retail customers have to pay an additional 3% GST, amid surging bullion prices.

8th Pay Commission: How will salary hikes compare with the 7th CPC at the same 2.57 fitment factor? As the panel consults with employee unions and pensioner groups, here's how the revised basic pay is calculated, what employees can expect and when the recommendations may be announced.

Regulators should act firmly on solvency, mis-selling, policyholder mistreatment and conduct violations, while leaving legitimate decisions on capital allocation, distribution and management incentives to insurers boards.

The income tax department has extended the tax audit deadline to October 21, giving taxpayers more time to review their tax audit reports and ITRs. Experts advise those who are ready to file not to delay, while using the additional window to reconcile key tax details and fix discrepancies.

Bank fixed deposits offer predictable returns, but deposits are insured only up to 5 lakh per depositor per bank under DICGC rules, including principal and interest. Multiple accounts and FDs in the same bank are generally clubbed for insurance purposes. Here's how depositors can manage the risk.

A senior citizen from Gurugram mistakenly reported 25.42 lakh of tax-exempt bond interest as taxable income, resulting in excess tax of 9.91 lakh. After the assessing officer rejected his rectification plea, the ITAT directed that the income be treated as exempt and the refund granted.

Small-cap equities led the asset-class performance in H1 FY27, delivering 23% returns, ahead of mid-caps at 13% and the Nifty 50 at 2%. Gold and silver declined 10% and 15%, respectively, reversing their strong gains in H1 FY26.

India has 1,687 individuals with a net worth of 1,000 crore or more, with most being self-made. As founders become HNIs, the focus shifts from creating wealth to protecting, diversifying and transferring it. Here are four key principles for building lasting family wealth.

Health insurance covers may seem sufficient now, but inflation can raise surgery costs. Inflation-protection features adjust the sum insured at renewal, but often rely on CPI instead of actual medical inflation, which can be higher. 

Postal employees have sought payment of the 2025-26 Productivity Linked Bonus before Durga Puja, while employee unions want the 8th Pay Commission to review the 7,000 bonus calculation ceiling.

The Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has not yet announced the 2026 dates for submitting Digital Life Certificates. Heres what pensioners, especially those aged 80 years and above, need to know about the October 1 provision, Jeevan Pramaan and the annual Life Certificate requirement.

Indian resident parents can use the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to fund the purchase of overseas property by an NRI or OCI child, subject to FEMA rules. Here's what to know about the $2,50,000 annual limit, gifts, loans, TCS and documentation.

Central government employees await the next DA hike, with inflation data indicating a possible 3% increase to 63%. Employee unions expect an announcement in early October, ahead of Dussehra. Here's how the revised DA is calculated and when the Centre may announce it.

Hybrid long-short SIFs differ in how they balance equity, debt and short positions.

The Mumbai ITAT deleted a 3.95 lakh penalty imposed on a ship captain who had failed to file his ITR on time. The taxpayer later filed his return in response to a reassessment notice, but the income declared was accepted without any addition.

Gold and silver prices in India witnessed a sharp drop during early trading hours on Tuesday. Check retail rates of the precious metals in top metro cities of the country.

A recent ITAT ruling has clarified that money received by a taxpayer while acting as a power-of-attorney holder does not automatically become his taxable income. The tribunal deleted a 1.25 crore addition after finding that the taxpayer had received the amount on behalf of three property owners.

The proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from 28 to 30 September was deferred after talks between the IBA and UFBU. Check if banks are open in your city today, 29 September.

Portfolio overlap between mutual funds is not necessarily a problem, particularly when schemes have different strategies, risk profiles or portfolio roles. However, excessive overlap can leave investors with concentrated exposure despite holding multiple funds. 

A 1,000 monthly SIP can grow substantially over a decade as returns compound. We look at diversified equity mutual funds that delivered the highest 10-year SIP returns, with Quant Small Cap Fund leading the list. Heres how the funds compare.

8th Pay Commission: The official terms of reference outline what central government employees and pensioners can expect from the panel. We will likely get official recommendations sometime next year. 

Sectoral mutual funds have seen a sharp divergence in returns over the past two years, with some sectors delivering strong gains while others slipped into the red. Here's what drove this divergence, and what should investors consider before making sectoral bets. 

From 1 October, households need biometric Aadhaar verification to keep accessing LPG subsidies, affecting 14.2 kg refills. Also, revised NPS charges and changes to ATM transactions for SBI customers will be implemented.

Bank strike deferred: Check if banks across India, including State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank and the cooperative banks will remain open on Tuesday-Wednesday i.e. 29-30 October. 

Motilal Oswal Private Wealth has suggested a 50:40:10 allocation across mid- and small-cap, hybrid, and large-cap, and global equity funds. It favours lump-sum investments in hybrid funds and a staggered approach for pure equity funds over the next 23 months.

Credit card debt: Can banks ask families to repay it after a cardholder dies? What if theres no will? Read out to find out.

Tax audit reports are filed using Form 3CA-3CD or 3CB-3CD, but the choice depends on specific conditions. With the deadline extended to 21 October, taxpayers should know which form applies to them and what they should do if they make an error.

Housing sales fell 2% in H1 2026, even as new launches rose 7% and the average ticket size edged up 2% to 1.41 crore. The data suggests buyers have more homes to compare, but there is no broad-based fall in prices yet. City-level trends vary sharply.

FAST-DS 2026 allows eligible taxpayers to disclose certain previously undisclosed foreign assets or income. Those making a valid declaration must follow a prescribed payment process. Heres what taxpayers need to know about ITNS 289 and the steps involved in making the tax payment.

The CBDT has extended the ITR and tax audit deadlines for a specific category of taxpayers for AY 2026-27. The move gives eligible taxpayers additional time to complete their audit-related compliance and file their returns. Heres what taxpayers need to know.