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Stock market closing timings changed: What it means for index funds, ETFs and arbitrage fund investors

The stock markets new closing auction mechanism changes how closing prices are determined for F&O stocks. The shift from VWAP-based closing prices to auction-based pricing could impact index funds, ETFs and arbitrage funds by improving transparency and reducing tracking errors.

4 Aug 2026 11:08 pm
Franklin India Short Term Fund opens NFO on 5 August: Scheme type, duration and risk Here's all investors need to know

Franklin Templeton's new open-ended short term debt scheme, the Franklin India Short Term Fund opens NFO from 5th to 11th August. Here's all investors need to know about the scheme type, duration, minimum investment amount and potential risk class.

4 Aug 2026 10:38 pm
Factor investing styles: Momentum tops with over 24% returns in 10 yearsbut does it carry the highest risk?

Factor investing has gained significant traction as investors increasingly seek rule-based strategies over traditional market-cap investing. While momentum has delivered the strongest long-term returns, the data shows that higher returns do not necessarily mean the highest risk. 

4 Aug 2026 9:53 pm
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara's Arjun Saluja taught us to chase FIRE, but how to protect it for 50 years

An early retiree must build a larger retirement corpus by targeting a lower withdrawal rate in retirement and by maintaining a margin of safety in the corpus to account for swings during multi-decadal economic cycles

4 Aug 2026 9:22 pm
EPFO: Unresolved pending claims, KYC errors, incorrect balance? Here's how to register grievance online Stepwise guide

Today, we look at how employees provident fund members can file a grievance with the retirement fund body, the step-by-step process to register a complaint, the customer care and social media alternatives.

4 Aug 2026 9:00 pm
Unified Pension Scheme explained: Objectives, eligibility, contribution structure, key benefits and latest updates

The Centre said over 1.18 lakh eligible beneficiaries have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme since its rollout in April 2025. Introduced to provide an assured post-retirement income, the UPS continues as an optional pension framework under the NPS, with no review conducted so far.

4 Aug 2026 8:38 pm
How much equity is enough? A simple asset allocation guide for conservative investors

Volatile markets have led retail investors to reconsider their investment options amid inflation. Fixed deposits and debt funds carry lower risk, but the choice depends on individual tax slabs, financial timelines, and risk tolerance. 

4 Aug 2026 8:35 pm
Over 31 crore unorganised workers registered on e-Shram portal: Check list of schemes and eligibility criteria

More than 31.82 crore unorganised workers have registered on the e-Shram portal, gaining access to social security schemes and welfare services. The government has integrated multiple schemes and platforms to help workers access benefits, job opportunities, skill development and pension services.

4 Aug 2026 7:12 pm
8th pay commission: Vacancies for consultants open Here's who is eligible and how to apply

The 8th pay commission has invited candidates to apply for various consultant roles. Here's who is eligible, how to apply, the terms of the job, due date for application, salary offered and other details.

4 Aug 2026 6:30 pm
Marriage, money and modern expectations: Is India ready for the prenup talk?

Though prenuptial agreements face legal hurdles in Indian courts, an evolving marriage landscape demands a legal framework that balances pre-marital financial transparency with essential statutory protections.

4 Aug 2026 6:06 pm
Can you get a death claim on a lapsed life insurance policy? Here's what Consumer Commission says

The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission rules that while a lapsed life insurance policy does not entitle nominees to a death benefit, fairness may still require insurers to refund premiums in exceptional circumstances. 

4 Aug 2026 5:43 pm
Probate no longer mandatory: what it means for estate planning

The omission of Section 213 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 has changed the legal position on probate in India. While probate remains available, it is no longer a statutory precondition in cases that were earlier covered by Section 213.

4 Aug 2026 5:26 pm
Punjab High Court orders state govt to clear pending DA within 15 days Here's all we know

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the Punjab government to clear pending dearness allowance arrears for employees and pensioners within two weeks. Dues are estimated at 15,000 crore, with penalties for late payment set at 6% interest. 

4 Aug 2026 5:26 pm
Sectoral and thematic index funds return up to 22% in 6 months: What retail investors must know before taking the plunge

Sectoral indices, including the Nifty India Defence, are often market-cap weighted with high stock concentration. Investors should understand index construction and risks, limiting sector funds to 15-20% of their portfolio, while considering diversified equity funds for overall better returns.

4 Aug 2026 5:18 pm
Assess beneficiaries' jurisdictions before planning cross-border succession

The choice between a trust and a will should be informed not only by control and asset protection considerations, but also by taxation, treaty relief and repatriation rules in those jurisdictions.

4 Aug 2026 4:49 pm
How do cash optimization apps work, and are they right for you?

These platforms move idle cash into liquid funds to beat traditional savings account rates and offer brand perks, but come with hidden costs, taxes, and exit loads.

4 Aug 2026 4:37 pm
Who needs to file ITR by 31 August? Check list of eligible taxpayers, applicable forms and audit requirements

The 31 August ITR deadline is meant for specific taxpayers, including freelancers, professionals, traders and small business owners filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 without a tax audit. Eligibility depends on the applicable return form and whether audit provisions apply.

4 Aug 2026 4:32 pm
Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha: UPI charges, tax measures What it intends to change

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha today. It amends laws regarding payment systems and income tax, including the reinstatement of merchant discount rates on UPI transactions and other tax provisions for various sectors.

4 Aug 2026 4:26 pm
53% may stop using UPI for payments above 3,000 if MDR returns, survey claims. What are Merchant Discount Rates?

The survey found that 53% of respondents would move away from UPI for transactions above 3,000 if an MDR is imposed on large merchants.

4 Aug 2026 3:29 pm
SEBI warns investors against unauthorised unlisted share platforms. Check these 5 tips

SEBI has repeatedly cautioned investors against using unauthorised platforms for buying or selling unlisted shares. Here are 5 checks to verify platforms, safeguard personal information, understand regulatory risks and make informed investment decisions before investing in unlisted company shares.

4 Aug 2026 3:21 pm
SEBI's GARUDA framework cuts AIF launch time. Here's what it means for Alternative Investment Fund investors

SEBI's new GARUDA framework cuts the launch time for eligible AIF schemes to 10 working days. Experts explain how the reform could benefit investors while keeping regulatory safeguards intact.

4 Aug 2026 3:02 pm
Home prices and rental yields rise together in India's top cities, Noida and Gurugram top the list

ANAROCK study shows home prices and rental yields have risen together across India's top housing markets since 2019. Noida, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad emerge as the biggest winners for residential property investors.

4 Aug 2026 1:53 pm
EPFO warns members to verify Date of Joining, Exit details or risk PF, pension benefits

EPFO has urged members to verify and correct their Date of Joining and Date of Exit details to avoid delays in PF withdrawals and pension claims. The advisory explains online correction rules, Aadhaar-linked UAN updates and employer approval requirements for eligible subscribers.

4 Aug 2026 1:33 pm
SGB redemption August 2026: RBI lists 6 Sovereign Gold Bond series eligible for early exit; check dates and eligibility

RBI's August 2026 redemption calendar lists six Sovereign Gold Bond tranches eligible for premature exit after the mandatory five-year holding period. Investors must apply within the prescribed window, as missing the deadline means waiting for the next eligible redemption date.

4 Aug 2026 12:56 pm
RBIs new FD rules from October: 5 changes small finance bank depositors must know

RBIs new fixed deposit rules for small finance banks will apply from October. The guidelines introduce advance-rate disclosures, uniform pricing, bulk-deposit rules and greater transparency.

4 Aug 2026 11:26 am
Worked before UAN? Here's how EPFO's new portal helps you find and link old PF accounts

The upgraded EPFO portal lets members view their complete service history and identify older PF accounts that may not be linked to their UAN. Here's how employees who started working before UAN or Aadhaar can trace and consolidate their old EPF accounts.

4 Aug 2026 10:47 am
Gold, silver prices today, 4 August: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata

Gold and silver prices today, 4 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.

4 Aug 2026 9:35 am
Can ESOP buyback payouts be taxed as capital gains? ITAT order offers hope for startup employees

The Bengaluru ITAT has asked tax authorities to reconsider the tax treatment of ESOP buyback payouts by applying the Karnataka High Court's ruling. The order could strengthen the case for taxing payouts from vested but unexercised ESOPs as capital gains instead of salary.

4 Aug 2026 9:08 am
HDFC Bank launches Max for Seniors and Max for Her savings accounts; key features

HDFC Bank has introduced Max for Seniors and Max for Her savings accounts under its Savings Max portfolio. The accounts offer cyber protection, Auto Sweep benefits, insurance cover, health support and lifestyle privileges designed for senior citizens and women customers.

4 Aug 2026 8:20 am
Unified Pension Scheme sees over 1.18 lakh Central government employees opt in; Centre rules out any changes

More than 1.18 lakh Central government employees and eligible retirees have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme. The Centre has told Parliament there is no proposal to review, modify or replace the pension scheme.

4 Aug 2026 8:05 am
8th Pay Commission consultations gather pace: Tracking 8 key pensioner demands of RSCWS on pay, retirement security

8th Pay Commission: The Commission is reviewing eight pensioner demands raised by RSCWS, including higher basic pay, revised HRA, transport allowance and stronger retirement benefits. The RSCWS proposals aim to improve pensions for Indian Railway employees.

4 Aug 2026 6:57 am
Finance Ministry moves to enable MDR on UPI Here's what scrapping zero MDR provision means for UPI users

The Union Ministry of Finance has made moves to enable merchant discount rates on UPI and proposed scrapping the zero MDR provision. We take a look at what this decision could mean for UPI customers.

3 Aug 2026 11:05 pm
REITs vs REIT mutual funds: Structure, taxation rules, returns and suitability for investors compared

REITs and REIT mutual funds offer investors exposure to the real estate sector but differ in structure, taxation, and returns. While REITs focus on rental income from properties, REIT funds combine REIT exposure with real estate equities. 

3 Aug 2026 11:03 pm
New Fund Offer: Should you invest in an NFO when a similar mutual fund with a proven track record exists?

If a similar mutual fund with a proven track record already exists in the market, experts say investors should prefer an established scheme unless the NFO offers a genuinely differentiated strategy that complements their portfolio and investment goals.

3 Aug 2026 9:56 pm
Value funds: Only two schemes have negative alpha; Quant and DSP lead category in benchmark outperformance

Only two value funds have negative alpha, indicating they lag their benchmark indices, while Quant Value Fund and DSP Value Fund record the highest positive alpha. The contrast in alpha was also reflected in return performance, with the positive-alpha funds delivering better returns. 

3 Aug 2026 8:38 pm
Has EPFO wage ceiling been raised to 25,000? Here's what report says about the monthly contribution limit

Finance Ministry has approved an increase in EPF wage ceiling to 25,000 monthly from current 15,000, as per a Moneycontrol report. If approved this would expand coverage to more salaried workers.

3 Aug 2026 7:34 pm
How to report F&O income in ITR for AY 2026-27: Deadline, turnover, audit rules and key changes in tax forms

F&O trading is treated as non-speculative business income and must be reported under business income in ITR. For AY 2026-27, taxpayers need to disclose F&O turnover and income in dedicated fields in ITR forms. They also need to comply with tax audit and carry-forward rules.

3 Aug 2026 7:11 pm
How capital gains on foreign shares are computed and taxed in India

Upon returning to India, the person must compute capital gains from US shares in INR, using the exchange rate from the sale date. No concessions for rupee depreciation apply. Long-term gains are taxed at 12.5%, and disclosure of foreign assets is required for tax purposes.

3 Aug 2026 7:05 pm
DA, 7,500 minimum monthly pension, medical facilities: Here's what this pensioner's body is demanding

DA, 7,500 minimum monthly pension, medical facilities Here's what the EPS95 National Agitation Committee is seeking from the government. It has warned of a protest on 5 August if demands are not met. 

3 Aug 2026 6:25 pm
What are Alternative Investment Funds? Experts explain SEBI's three AIF categories and how they differ from mutual funds

SEBI's new GARUDA framework has brought Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) into the spotlight. While the industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, AIFs remain less familiar than mutual funds. Here's how experts explain the investment vehicle, who it is meant for and how SEBI classifies it.

3 Aug 2026 6:19 pm
Home insurance during monsoon: What it covers, key exclusions, and why homeowners should check their policy

Monsoon damage isn't limited to leaks and flooding. Experts explain what home insurance covers, key exclusions, and why both homeowners and tenants should review their policies.

3 Aug 2026 5:53 pm
Flexi-cap funds stay 61% invested in large caps, multi-cap funds remain balanced: Report

Despite flexibility in their mandate, flexi-cap funds remain more biased towards large-cap stocks, with 61% allocation. On the other hand, multi-cap funds maintain a more balanced exposure across large, mid, and small-cap segments. 

3 Aug 2026 5:35 pm
Annapurna Bhandar August instalment: Here's why you have not received 3,000 yet & what to do to fix it

Although payments for Annapurna Bhandar are generally credited in a phased manner during the first week of the month, many bank accounts have yet to receive the funds

3 Aug 2026 5:26 pm
Salary hike: Delhi Disaster Management Authority personnel get 100% increase How much will employees be paid now?

Delhi has approved 100% salary hike for DDMA personnel, including project officers, district project officers, and project coordinators. The first such in 16 years, since the positions were created in 2009. 

3 Aug 2026 4:55 pm
Bank failed to return property papers after home loan closure: How a Delhi couple got 15.5 lakh compensation

A Delhi couple won 15.5 lakh in compensation after Axis Bank lost their original property papers and failed to return them after the closure of their 1.41 crore home loan. The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled on the case.

3 Aug 2026 4:17 pm
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank hike FCNR rates Check here for how much interest depositors now get

India's largest private sector lenders HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank have both hiked their FCNR (Bank) interest rates this month. Check here for how much fixed deposit interest NRI depositors now get

3 Aug 2026 3:22 pm
Passive funds go niche: should you bet on sectoral or thematic funds?

Passive investing has moved beyond broad-market indices. As sectoral and thematic index funds multiply, experts explain the opportunities, risks and who should actually invest. 

3 Aug 2026 1:58 pm
Why aligning incentives a better alternative to capping insurance commissions

India scrapped insurance commission caps in 2023, but calls to revive them are growing. Evidence suggests transparency, staggered payouts and disclosurenot capsare more effective at curbing mis-selling.

3 Aug 2026 1:50 pm
PM VBRY: Link Aadhaar with bank account in 8 simple steps to enable Direct Benefit Transfer

PM VBRY beneficiaries can enable Direct Benefit Transfer by linking their Aadhaar with a bank account through NPCI. This guide explains the eight key steps, offline Aadhaar seeding, and how completing the process helps ensure timely incentive payments.

3 Aug 2026 1:19 pm
Top equity mutual funds by 1-year SIP returns: Small-cap schemes dominate; Bank of India Small Cap leads with 40% return

Small-cap funds dominated one-year SIP returns, with six schemes crossing the 20% mark and four featuring among the top five performers. Bank of India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 40.05% annualised SIP return.

3 Aug 2026 12:31 pm