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Finfluencers increasingly shape Indian investment decisions, but few are Sebi-registered. Heres what investors should know about stock calls, sponsorships, credentials, red flags and recourse.
The NCDRC has ruled on a case involving an LIC policy assigned as security for a bank loan, holding that the insurer was not deficient in acting on the bank's surrender request. Here's what the order means for policyholders who use insurance policies as loan collateral.
Dividend stocks, Reits and InvITs can offer attractive payouts, but investors need to look beyond yield to cash flows, capital preservation, taxes and total returns.
PPF offers 7.1% interest, but eligible old-regime taxpayers may earn a higher effective return after factoring in the Section 80C tax benefit. Heres how the tax saving can push the effective annualised return to around 11%, and why the benefit does not apply to every investor.
July 2026 CPI-IW rose 1.3 points to 153.2, taking the running DA calculation for central government employees to about 64% for January 2027. The final DA rate will depend on CPI-IW data for August to December 2026 and the government's formal announcement.
To avoid future legal and tax complications, CA advised buyers to settle the exact nature of the ownership arrangement before finalising a purchase.
Bank credit growth rose to 16.5% in June 2026, while the weighted average lending rate on outstanding credit fell to 9.26%, RBI data showed. Credit to female borrowers grew 19.7%, while personal-loan credit rose 12.7% and credit growth was stronger across non-metro centres.
The ITAT Mumbai deleted an 8.87 lakh tax addition after accepting a taxpayers explanation for cash found during an income-tax search. The tribunal said family savings and gifts must be assessed based on human probabilities.
An Indian professional living in Brazil while providing architectural services to a Goa-based company wants to know if professional fees paid into a foreign bank account will attract Indian tax. Here's what the India-Brazil tax treaty says.
As children move away and large homes become harder to maintain, retirees are rethinking property. Selling, downsizing or redeveloping can unlock wealth, simplify succession and improve retirement security.
The domestic MCX gold price recovered its previous losses, jumping over 1% to cross the 1.55 lakh mark per 10 grams
The Mumbai ITAT has ruled in favour of an investor whose 85.35 lakh long-term capital gains (LTCG) from Sunrise Asian shares were treated as unexplained income by the tax department.
Medical insurance shields policyholders from unpredictable and often steep healthcare expenses.
A Pune-based senior citizen missed the income-tax appeal deadline by 191 days after his wifes death. The ITAT Pune, in ITA No. 1586/PUN/2026, directed the appellate authority to condone the delay and hear his tax appeal on merits.
Small- and mid-cap stocks have delivered much faster earnings growth than large caps over the long term. But a closer look at margins, recent performance and the impact of a few extreme performers reveals why investors should look beyond headline profit growth.
Billionaire Ray Dalio's financial setback in the early 1980s changed his approach to investing. After a major miscalculation left him broke, he learned two key lessons: question your own certainty and embrace diversification to manage risk.
Factor investing strategies delivered sharply different returns over the past year. High Beta emerged as the strongest performer, while Value also outpaced the broader market. Heres how all five strategies compared with the Nifty 500.
UIDAI has clarified that Aadhaar holders can request DoB updates more than once, but subsequent changes face stricter rules. The process depends on the existing DoB status, documents submitted earlier and the circumstances behind the correction.
EPFO has urged employers to enrol uncovered workers under its one-time Employees' Enrolment Campaign, 2026, to expand social security coverage. The scheme was notified in June and will continue till 31 October.
With the ITR filing deadline just hours away, taxpayers using ITR-3 and ITR-4 should carefully review pre-filled details. From income and tax credits to capital gains and deductions, heres what you need to verify before submitting your income tax return.
The fintech company has joined hands with handset makers such as Nokia, HMD, Lava International and itel to have the service pre-installed on their devices.
The government hasn't confirmed the estimated arrears under the 8th Central Pay Commission. Employees should consider the figures illustrative, subject to change.
Axis Mutual Fund has launched Shagun SIP, an industry-first gram-based SIP for gold and silver fund of funds (FoFs). The feature lets investors choose a gold or silver quantity instead of a fixed rupee amount. Heres how it works, its key benefits, and what investors need to know.
Digital estate-planning services are making it easier to create a will, but simple DIY options may not suit everyone.
Loan terms, interest structure, and lenders are crucial in deciding early closure of education loans. Here are 7 factors to consider before closing education loan early.
Putting a relatives name on a property deed may seem like a family arrangement, but tax authorities can now connect property records with financial data. Heres when a gift, loan or benami issue can arise.
DoPT has forwarded representations seeking pension revision for central government employees who retired before 1 January 2026 to the Department of Expenditure. The move puts the demand formally before the government, but does not mean pension revision has been approved under the 8th Pay Commission.
Credit card limit increase benefits include a lower credit utilisation ratio, an improved credit score, and greater financial flexibility, but key factors such as income, spending habits, interest rates and overspending or debt-trap risks should be considered before accepting.
The simplicity of the online will-making process is also its biggest limitation.
PFRDA will revise the NPS and NPS Lite PoP charge structure from 1 October 2026, including a 200 onboarding fee and 0.20% annual AUM charge. The regulator has also clarified when e-NPS users are exempt, how dormant accounts are treated and why the original onboarding route matters.
The Supreme Court ruled that a revenue record entry does not create or extinguish title to property, emphasizing that relinquishment must be proven.
IPOs are surging as Sebi approvals near expiry. Investors should watch for 10 key warning signs in the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) to assess risks and avoid poor-quality investments.
An X user questioned why HDFC Bank sought additional confirmation after he authenticated a 1.05 lakh credit-card payment with an OTP. RBI rules allow banks to use risk-based security measures and adaptive authentication for digital payments.
Tax on sale of inherited agricultural land: Section 54B, 54F and 54EC exemptions explained, reinvestment in residential property or farm land, 10 crore and 50 lakh exemption caps, capital gains tax at 12.5% or 20% with indexation for siblings selling jointly-inherited land
An Ahmedabad police inspector lost 5.4 lakh after fraudsters allegedly posed as insurance officials and promised a 19.5 lakh payout. The case highlights key red flags in insurance refund scams, including upfront fees, QR-code payments and repeated demands for money.
Gold and silver prices today, 31 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.
August 31 is the ITR filing deadline for non-audit taxpayers for AY 2026-27. Heres what happens if you miss the deadline, including belated ITR filing, late fees, interest and loss carry-forward rules.
The Nagpur ITAT deleted a tax addition on jewellery found during an income-tax search, stressing ownership, source and family circumstances. The ruling also examined the CBDTs prescribed jewellery limits and whether possession within those limits can be treated as reasonably explained.
Retirement planning requires a thorough analysis of goals, financial status, and lifestyle aspirations. It's crucial to prepare for emergencies while balancing risk in your portfolio, gradually shifting from equities to safer options as you age.
Since IPO-bound companies do not have a listed-market track record or exchange trading history, investors largely have to depend on information provided before the listing
Sugar prices have remained steadily over 60 per kg in most retail markets across India today on 30 August. This high price stability comes despite several steps taken by the central government to check rise in cost, according to official data.
The 8th Pay Commission is set to close applications for contract-based consultant roles on its website on Monday, 31 August. With the deadline looming we explain the eligibility, and where and how to submit your applications
Uzbekistan has joined the list of countries that is set to adopt the UPI, the Ministry of External Affairs announced today after PM Narendra Modi's two-day official visit to the Central Asian country.
Taxpayers with business or professional income cannot switch between the old and new tax regimes every year. Form 10-IEA is required for the switch, with restrictions on re-entering the old regime. Here's what taxpayers filing ITR-3 and ITR-4 need to know for AY 2026-27.
Odisha govt employees who default on court-ordered alimony or maintenance payments may now have the amount deducted directly from their salaries. The payment will be transferred to beneficiaries, with cases integrated into the states HRMS for automated compliance.
Innovation funds invest in companies driving new technologies and disruptive trends. The category has seen varied performance over the past year, with some funds delivering strong double-digit returns. However, none of the funds posted a negative return during the period.
A diversified portfolio can perform very differently depending on how you split your money across Indian equities, debt, gold and US equities. Heres what 16 financial years of data, from FY2011 to FY2027 year-to-date, reveal about the returns across these asset classes.
Inherited agricultural land can attract capital gains tax if it qualifies as urban agricultural land, but reinvestment in a home, agricultural land or specified bonds can help reduce the tax burden.
Gurgaon court upheld 2 lakh monthly maintenance for an estranged wife despite her husbands reported income decline and home loan liabilities.
DA news update: After workers in Punjab undertook a strike on 27 August to push for pending DA and other demands; the state govt has hardened its stance and directed officers to issue notices for unauthorised absences.

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