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The 57th GST Council has recommended changes to simplify GST registration cancellation, including automatic processing of applications and system-based cancellation for certain defaults. What do business owners need to know about the application process and other key deadlines? 

The small-cap mutual fund category has outperformed the mid-cap category in 2026 so far, but does the trend hold over longer periods? While category averages reveal a changing picture across three- and five-year horizons, individual schemes show a wide divergence in performance.

The high court has said Section 125 CrPC aims to prevent destitution. It upholds the Family Courts finding that the wife left the matrimonial home without sufficient reason.

The 8th Pay Commission report is expected by May 2027 under its 18-month mandate. Know the expected salary hike timeline, government approval process, fitment factor demands and whether central government employees may receive arrears from January 2026.

A 5 lakh emergency fund needs a balance of quick withdrawals, capital safety and returns. Compare savings accounts, bank fixed deposits and liquid mutual funds, understand their risks and withdrawal timelines, and explore how to allocate emergency savings based on income stability.

Getting your first credit card at 18 can help build a credit history, but careless spending can lead to debt. Experts explain repayment habits, credit utilisation, secured cards and ways to protect your credit score.

The GST Council on Thursday approved reforms that are scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2027, aimed at reducing the compliance burden on businesses. Here's the full list of changes and what happens to those already facing prosecution.

A 30 lakh investment in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) at 8.2% interest can generate 61,500 per quarter, equivalent to 20,500 per month. Check the October-December 2026 interest rate, eligibility criteria, investment limits, tax rules and withdrawal conditions.

Irdais proposed reforms aim to make insurance pricing, commissions and distribution more transparent. But policyholders must still understand their cover and stay prepared for claims and renewals.

Credit utilisation measures how much of your total available credit you use. Using your credit card heavily can lead to lower credit. Here's why it happens and how to avoid it.

A senior citizen in Navi Mumbai faced a 2.20 crore tax addition after the Income Tax Department treated two documents for the same flat as separate purchases. The ITAT granted relief, highlighting why joint ownership alone does not establish who funded a property and why payment records matter.

Missing a life insurance premium usually does not end cover immediately. A grace period is provided, post which the policy may lapse. Check revival process and other details.

Gold and silver prices today, 9 October: 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.

PFRDA chief S. Ramann discusses the future of NPS, a proposed retirement income scheme, greater competition in annuities, NPS Swasthya, gig workers and grievance redressal.

8th Pay Commission has yet to finalize fitment factor. Unions have sought 3.833x and 4x. For Level 1 employees with 18,000 basic pay, these imply revised basic salaries of 68,994 and 72,000, increases of 50,994 and 54,000, respectively, with a difference of 3,006 between the two estimates. 

HRA tax exemption is available only under the old tax regime and applies to rent paid for the residential home an employee actually occupies. Here's whether you can claim HRA for two properties.

SEBI has introduced a new mutual fund-like Credit Risk-o-Meter to help investors understand the credit risk of corporate bonds and other debt instruments. The meter classifies them into six credit-risk levels, ranging from the lowest to very high risk of default. Heres what investors should know.

Several diversified equity funds have delivered negative returns so far in 2026, but the picture changes sharply over longer periods. Heres a look at funds in the red on a YTD, three-year and five-year basis, and what investors should consider.

RBI rules may entitle customers to compensation when banks miss deadlines for services such as resolving failed digital transactions, closing credit cards, returning property documents or correcting credit reports. Compensation varies by case, from 100 per day to 5,000 per day.

The complainant bought a Kia Sonet HTX Diesel in March 2022 for around 13.69 lakh, including on-road costs. He later purchased an extended warranty that remained valid until March 2027.

Personal loans are growing much faster than home loans, but home finance remains the much larger credit category. Consumer durable and two-wheeler loans are also expanding. Heres what the latest credit trends reveal about how Indians are borrowing and what consumers should watch.

TDS and TCS compliance has moved to an online filing setup from Tax Year 2026-27 onwards, changing how deductors submit quarterly statements. The process brings fresh forms, a separate compliance environment, and updated filing steps. Heres what deductors need to know.

Higher interest rates could push up EMIs on floating-rate home loans for NRIs.

The RBIs 25-bps repo rate hike has reshaped the outlook for debt-fund investors as bond yields rise and markets assess further rate moves. Heres what investors should consider based on their 3-month, 12-month and 18-month investment horizons.

India is considering delaying a 0.4% merchant discount rate on UPI transactions above 2,000 until January 2027. The postponement would give payment companies time to update systems and merchants time to prepare. Person-to-person payments and smaller merchant transactions would remain free.

Opening a demat account for your minor child can raise questions about who pays tax on the income and where it should be reported. From clubbing rules and capital gains to ITR schedules and exemptions, heres what parents need to know before filing.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Funds September portfolio shows a clear shift in select existing holdings, even as the fund exited only one stock. DLF saw the biggest increase, while major names continued to dominate the portfolio. What changed in the mutual funds latest portfolio?

The General Insurance Council is reportedly considering a mandatory 10% co-pay in retail health insurance policies, potentially capped at 5 lakh per claim. Heres what co-payment means, why it is being considered, and how it could affect senior citizens and other policyholders.

Insurer failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify claim rejection, Kurnool Consumer Commission says.

Gold prices have corrected sharply, but the fall may be creating an opportunity for investors. Heres the key price level to watch for those considering investing in gold ETFs, along with the factors that could influence prices ahead.

More rate hikes are coming. The question is how much

Government employees covered by GPF and eligible private-sector employees under EPF can access their savings before retirement, but the two schemes differ in how advances or withdrawals work. Heres a look at the key differences in eligibility, withdrawal limits, repayment and other provisions.

For borrowers, this would mean higher interest rates on home, vehicle and personal loans, while savers could benefit from better returns on fixed deposits.

EPFO pension does not necessarily end after a pensioners death. Eligible spouses and children can claim family pension under EPS, with the spouse generally entitled to 50% and eligible children to 25% of the pension, subject to scheme conditions.

The expanded consolidated account statement will include bank deposits, while account aggregator interoperability aims to make financial-data sharing simpler.

A Surat ITAT ruling has quashed reassessment proceedings involving a 50 lakh IDS disclosure after finding the tax departments section 148 notice was time-barred. The case also involved a bank error that delayed part of the taxpayers tax payment.

UPI MDR rollout may be delayed from October 15 to January 2027, giving merchants and payment firms more time to prepare. The proposed 0.4% fee applies to eligible UPI merchant payments above 2,000, while consumers remain exempt.

IRDAIs proposed changes to insurance distributor commissions could reshape how policies are sold in smaller towns. Intermediaries warn that lower payouts may make low-ticket policies less viable and affect access to local advisors for first-time buyers.

Regular vs direct mutual funds: Regular plans incur higher fees due to agent commissions, while direct plans are managed by investors. But that should not be the only factor in choosing a plan. Here's what else you should know.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) opts for a precautionary rate hike to curb demand as inflation is set to inch up.

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

The RBIs 25 bps repo rate hike to 5.5% could keep bond yields elevated as the rate cycle turns tighter. Debt-fund investors may prefer 1-3 year high-quality corporate bonds now, while gradually adding duration as yields rise further.

The RBI's new initiative will soon allow investors to receive a comprehensive view of their bank deposits and investments in one statement. The implementation is expected by 31 December 31 2026. Here's what it means for you.

First-time mutual fund investors often struggle to choose from hundreds of schemes. Heres how to match funds with your goals, time horizon and risk appetite, assess past returns and shortlist schemes without getting overwhelmed.

Mizoram's three autonomous councils are facing a salary shortfall of 159.59-crore salary shortfall and appealed seeking intervention from the state government. They said successive pay revisions, DA, annual increments and promotions had increased the financial strain. 

After the RBI raised its repo rate to 5.50%, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank increased their lending rates. Here's what this means for customers

Farmer Karigowda, who owns a 3.5-acre farm in Karlapura Palya in Bengaluru Urban district, grows bottle gourds that weigh around 500 grams each.

The EPFO issued a security advisory urging members to protect personal and financial information. It warned against sharing sensitive data and warned of phishing attempts, emphasizing the use of official portals only while remaining vigilant about suspicious links.

The RBI's 25-basis-point repo rate hike on 7 October is aimed at curbing inflation. This increase could raise borrowing costs for loans, affecting monthly repayments, while potential adjustments to deposit rates may also occur.

The Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, marking its first increase since February 2023. Here's a look at whether this could impact fixed deposit rates and what any transmission would mean for your funds