Livemint

The government is stepping up efforts to improve pension awareness and retirement planning in rural India through a network of Pension Sakhis. The community-led initiative aims to bring pension information and support closer to households and encourage greater focus on long-term retirement security.

NPCI today announced merchant discount rate on select UPI transactions, effective from October, while keeping UPI free for consumers. It said that MDR of 0.4% will be applicable on P2M UPI payments above 2,000, capped at 300 per transaction.

UPI transactions up to 2,000 stay fee-free under a new Finance Ministry notification, covering 96% of volume. Regulators are weighing a ~0.4% charge on larger merchant (P2M) payments, with banks getting 40% of the proceeds. P2P transfers remain free regardless of transaction value.

Mid-cap mutual funds continue to see strong investor interest, supported by earnings growth, domestic demand and the formalisation of the economy. But with valuations above historical averages, fund managers caution that stock selection and diversification are crucial.

Central government employees and pensioners are anticipating a dearness allowance hike during this festive season. With inflation rising and past trends favoring Diwali announcements, a 3-4% increase is expected based on recent AICPI-IW data.

Mutual funds changed their exposure to several large-, mid- and small-cap stocks in August 2026. While buying was spread across market segments, find out which stocks saw the biggest increase and decrease in mutual fund holdings during the month.

UPI and Services Steering Committee is set to soon decide on the merchant discount rate for UPI transactions above 2,000. Here's a look at the issues that are up for discussion 

As an non-resident for tax purposes, one is generally taxable in India only on income that is received or deemed to be received in India, or that accrues or arises, or is deemed to accrue or arise, in India.

Bharat Pensioner Samaj has asked DoT to allow provisional family pension to widows and widowers for up to 6 months while their regular claims are processed.

Can Indians continue PPF and NPS Tier II after settling in the US? A tax expert explains residency rules, KYC updates, FD redesignation, tax implications and why NRIs should review Indian investments before withdrawals or transfers.

India has no comprehensive law for managing a persons finances and property after they lose mental capacity. A combination of a private trust, living will and healthcare nomination may offer the closest workaround.

Having both a personal health insurance policy and employer-provided cover can help when a large hospital bill exceeds the first policys coverage. Heres how policyholders can use the second policy for the remaining eligible expenses.

Not every index fund tracking the same benchmark delivers the same investor experience. Experts say investors should look at persistent tracking difference and tracking error before switching, rather than chasing short-term returns or the lowest expense ratio.

8th Pay Commission news: Central government employees and pensioners seek salary and pension revisions every 5 years instead of 10. Know why unions want shorter pay cycles, inflation-linked reviews and a permanent wage review body.

Delhi ITAT condoned a 2,073-day delay after a taxpayer said reassessment notices were sent to his old address. The tribunal also deleted an 11 lakh addition after the taxpayer explained the cash deposit through property sale proceeds and past savings.

Broader equal-weight funds have outperformed their market-cap-weighted parents in recent months, but the strategy can also mean greater mid- and small-cap exposure, sector shifts and higher concentration in narrower indices.

Higher debt allocations have historically helped reduce the impact of market falls, but they also came with lower return potential. FundsIndia Research data shows how investors can balance portfolio volatility against long-term returns when deciding their equity-debt mix.

Compare personal loan interest rates in September 2026 from prominent private banks, including Axis, HDFC and ICICI. Check five-year EMI calculations, processing fees and key factors borrowers should consider before applying.

Small-cap funds continue to attract strong investor inflows, but historical data shows that sharp corrections are a regular part of the journey. FundsIndia data shows the Nifty Smallcap 100 has seen falls of more than 30% far more often than the Sensex.

With the repo rate already 125 basis points below its post-COVID peak of 6.5%, borrowers face a key choice: pay for stability now or stick with floating rates?

Ignore panic-selling during a price correction, and resist the temptation to churn your portfolio for better returns during a time correction. Stick to your asset allocation and invest consistently.

Gold and silver prices today, 15 September: 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 EPF Scheme 2026 allows the government to temporarily reduce or defer employee and employer PF contributions for up to three months during a pandemic, endemic or national disaster. 

8th Pay Commission salary hike explained: Here's how much basic pay for central government employees will increase under fitment factors of 3.83 and 4.0, with examples across pay levels.

The Madras HC has ruled that a mothers remarriage cannot by itself deprive her daughter of inheritance in her late fathers joint family property. The court said the old legal disqualification applied to the remarried widow only.

Despite the high cost of living in Hong Kong, Sharma and her husband manage their finances effectively, benefiting from higher incomes and lower tax rates. 

Multi-asset funds saw AUM surge 487% to 2.07 lakh crore in three years, compared with 115% growth for flexi-cap funds. But should investors hold both, switch to multi-asset or choose only one? Experts explain the key factors to consider.

US companies are using funds got from the tariff refunds to offer sale deals, customer discounts, lower prices, and make employee 401(K) contributions, besides sharing the temporary windfall with vendors. 

Gold has delivered strong returns in recent years, but its long-term history shows that investors may also face extended periods of subdued performance. Heres what the latest data suggests about golds return potential and how investors can estimate long-term returns by factoring in inflation.

FAST-DS 2026 allows eligible taxpayers to voluntarily disclose certain undisclosed foreign assets and income. But can it cover unreported overseas crypto? The rules depend on where the crypto is held, how it was acquired and whether the taxpayer meets the schemes conditions.

Investing requires careful evaluation, warns Srikanth Matrubai, founder and CEO of SRIKAVI WEALTH. He gives 5 rules for personal finance.

A premium phone upgrade can become a planned financial goal instead of a sudden expense. Here's how much you may need to set aside every month, how resale value can lower the burden and what to consider before choosing an EMI.

Delhi Building Workers Health Scheme: The Delhi LG has approved the health scheme for registered building and other construction workers and their eligible dependent family members. Here's all we need to know 

Compounding transforms 30 lakh invested over 30 years into 5.23 crore, with the first crore achieved after 13 years. Check how your investment, lump sum or SIP, jumps because of the power of compounding.

The 8th central pay commission's recommendations are expected to benefit over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners. Check how much salary hikes they can likely get from fitment factor of 2.57 or 3.83.

Small-cap funds have seen strong investor interest, but returns and volatility have varied sharply across the largest schemes. The top 10 funds by AUM are compared to see which delivered the strongest three-year and five-year returns and how their volatility stacked up.

DA update: Today, we explain how dearness allowance is calculated for central government employees and pensioners; and why the All India Defence Employees Federation is demanding that the formula be updated.

Indias retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August 2026, while food inflation climbed to 5.95%. But the impact was uneven across products, with some everyday essentials seeing sharp price increases while others became cheaper. Heres what changed.

This couple unpacks the paradox of living in Hong Kong, where high expenses meet a lucrative job market.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation has launched WhatsApp services for members. Notably, at the time of writing, the channel already had 75,000 members. Here's how to join and what services are offered.

Home loan insurance can protect your family from the burden of repayment, but borrowers must choose between flat and reducing coverand consider whether a separate term plan offers better protection.

RBI has proposed a 60-day outer limit for temporary debit holds on bank accounts or transactions suspected of being linked to cyber fraud. Customers would get 20 days to explain suspicious transactions, while banks would have fixed timelines for review and police referrals.

Delays in provident fund claims may yield additional interest for members as witnessed in a recent Mumbai Consumer Commission ruling concerning a retiree's delayed PF settlement. Here's what to do if your claim has been delayed too.

The ITAT Rajkot has ruled that interest awarded on enhanced compensation for compulsory acquisition of agricultural land can qualify for tax exemption. The ruling could matter for landowners who receive enhanced compensation and interest after their agricultural land is acquired.

An expired driving licence, inaccurate policy details or even bundling an old dent with a new accident can complicate a motor insurance claim. Heres what car owners should know before filing one.

Investments in stocks and mutual funds can lead to capital gains tax, though the liability depends on whether gains are short-term or long-term, the duration of asset holding, among other factors. Check how much tax you need to pay on 3 lakh profit. 

The Motilal Oswal Nasdaq Q50 ETF surged 41% in a week even as the value of its underlying US stocks fell 2.6%, with its market price moving far above its NAV. The unusual premium has widened amid limited supply of ETF units and a recent change in SEBIs price-band rules.

A promise by a life insurance company for financial protection is put to the test at a difficult timefollowing the death of a loved one, when the family must navigate the claims process, often for the first time. Here is what nominees need to do at each step to ensure a smoother settlement.

Portability was meant to keep insurers honest by keeping the exit door open. The door exists but for the old, the ill, and the recently hospitalised, someone is still standing in the way.

The Nagpur ITAT has upheld a 23,494 Section 87A rebate claimed by a taxpayer on short-term capital gains under Section 111A. The tribunal rejected the Income Tax Departments challenge, finding no express bar on the rebate for STCG under the law applicable to AY 2025-26.