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Income tax returns: From salaried individuals overwhelmed by the process to first time ITR filers Here's a checklist of necessary documents, including Form 16, PAN Card, and investment proofs to ensure a smooth proper.
EPF and PPF are key long-term savings instruments in India. While EPF is for salaried employees, PPF is open to all. Both offer tax benefits and fixed interest rates, but differ in eligibility, contributions, and withdrawal rules.
Dearness Allowance is of two types, one which is revised quarterly based on CPI, and the other revised semi-annually. Both these aim to mitigate inflation effects for households of central government employees.
Several government-backed savings schemes in India offer annual interest rates of 7.5% and higher. These options cater to various groups and provide tax benefits, attracting conservative investors.
RBI warns borrowers about rising fake loan waiver scams nationwide, urging verification with banks, avoiding upfront fees, and relying on official sources to prevent financial losses and credit damage.
The 8th CPC has extended its deadline for stakeholders to submit their memorandum of suggestions for the panel ahead of its recommendations. Here's a look at the top updates six months into the process
Maharashtras digital living will framework may seem like a small administrative step. But for families that use it, it does something estate planning often cannot
A 25-year-old investor can accumulate 3,64,92,972 in the next 20 years through a disciplined monthly SIP of 9,000, potentially providing a monthly pension of 2 lakh post-retirement at 45 through a SWP for the next 40 years
Rupee falls to 95.16/USD, highlighting currency weakness, as Steve Hanke warns of a continued slide without inflows, which could impact inflation, travel costs, EMIs, investments and savings across the country.
The Finance Ministry has approved 100% foreign direct investment in the insurance sector under the automatic route, with a 20% cap for LIC. This reform aims to enhance technology and product design, addressing India's insurance penetration gap and improving affordability and distribution.
With crude over $110, a weak rupee, E20 mandates and BS6 diesel costs rising, electric vehicles are emerging not just as green alternatives but as Indias fiscal hedge.
Senior citizen FD rates in May 2026 across prominent PSU banks show stable returns up to 7.10%, offering safe income, inflation protection and predictable investment options in a volatile economy.
From using appropriate forms, to making proper income disclosures, filling correct details and attaching documentation for proof Here are the top 10 common mistakes to avoid while filing your returns.
FD rates comparison: Here's a look at the latest bank fixed deposit rates offered by the biggest lenders State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank.
The IT Ministry clarifies that it has no plans for a new look for its Aadhaar cards, adding that such speculation is not correct. Here's what's new for the government's biometric ID so far in 2026.
Emergency fund rules help households build financial resilience. It is imperative to maintain 36 months' expenses, keeping funds separate, prioritising liquidity, starting small, refilling after use, and reviewing annually for stability.
The strategy to improve a credit score below 650 focuses on timely EMI payments, reducing credit utilisation, limiting loan applications, clearing high-interest debts, maintaining old accounts, and regularly monitoring credit reports for accuracy.
Understanding borrowing fundamentals is vital for personal loans. Keeping EMIs at 20-25% of income ensures financial stability. High EMIs risk missed payments, which negatively impact credit scores. Seek professional advice for sustainable financial planning.
A strong credit score is necessary to show lenders that you are a reliable borrower, and first timers or young customers may wonder if closing your credit card could affect this number. Here's how you should manage card closures to protect your credit history
Filing income tax returns online has simplified the process but can confuse first-time taxpayers. Income Tax Notices inform taxpayers of issues like unreported income or discrepancies. Here's how you can verify a notice's authenticity
A disciplined savings rate drives retirement planning by boosting compounding, reducing risk, and ensuring financial security, helping individuals build a stable, sustainable long-term wealth corpus.
EPF corpus from a 50,000 salary can grow substantially over 20 years through disciplined contributions, employer support and compounding, potentially reaching 4060 lakh with salary increments.
Section 80C provides taxpayers with deduction benefit up to 1.5 lakh for investment in certain government saving schemes during a given financial or assessment year. Here's how you can claim the tax benefit
A lost or stolen credit card requires immediate action, including blocking the card, checking transactions, reporting to the bank, disputing fraud, securing accounts, and requesting a replacement to prevent financial loss.
The government revised the Dearness Allowance (DA) for bank employees for May, June, and July 2026, impacting salaries for workmen and officer employees. Here's how this impacts monthly pay for bank staff
The evolution of lending practices towards precision underwriting emphasizes using both historical and real-time data for improved risk management.
8th central pay commission: The 8th CPC has planned state visits to Telangana, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir in May and June 2026. Here's a look at the latest updates as the panel calls for consultations.
Public sector banks offer competitive personal loan interest rates starting at 7.10% in May 2026. Key factors that influence borrowing decisions include credit score, tenure, and processing charges.
I asked ChatGPT how to retire at 45 on 1.5 lakh a month. The AI tool suggested specific mutual funds while giving a detailed personal finance plan.
DSP MF CEO Kalpen Parekh trims gold after a sharp rally, raises equity via hybrid funds and sticks to disciplined asset allocationignoring noise, chasing value and respecting cycles.
Fintech platforms have made bonds look simple and safe. But behind curated yields and clean dashboards lie credit, liquidity and structural risks many retail investors may not fully grasp.
The 8th Pay Commission review highlights progress in consultations, stakeholder engagement, and the policy focus on salaries, pensions, and reforms shaping the future of government employees across the country.
Economists and financial planners urge the public to rebudget for essentials, build larger emergency funds, and consider global investment diversification as a hedge against accelerating imported inflation.
Record UPI transactions in FY26 highlight rapid digital growth nationwide. UPI payments are best made through secure apps, with vigilant verification and protection of sensitive financial details.
Taxpayers can rely on Section 80C of the Income-Tax Act to reduce their tax liability through deductions of up to 1.5 lakh in a financial year. Here's what steps you can take to maximise your investment options
The online income-tax return process has simplified tax filing, yet first-time taxpayers face challenges. Here's a look at what income-tax notices mean and why you may get one from the tax department
Applying for a credit card involves careful consideration of your needs, spending habits, and comparing various options. Choose a card that aligns with your lifestyle to avoid future financial issues.
Unit-linked insurance plans or Ulips bundle life insurance and investment into a single product. Ulips also carry a tax advantage
The Finance Ministry raised the Dearness Allowance by 2% for central government employees and pensioners, increasing it from 58% to 60% of basic pay. Here's why some expect the next hike in July under 8th CPC to be 3%
The 8th Central Pay Commission held its first meetings discussing demands for annual increments and pension scheme withdrawal. It is set to decide salary hikes for 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh retirees, potentially raising pay significantly.
The declarant, who is a resident, must ensure that their expected final tax liability for the year is NIL and duly fill all the rows in Part A of the Form No.121 and sign it.
To turn market volatility into an instrument for wealth creation, retail investors should consider adopting a structured approach. Here are five fundamental rules that can help navigate the complexities of todays financial environment.
Mutual fund-based portfolio management services are becoming popular among high-net-worth individuals. Here is how these services work
May 2026 has crucial tax deadlines, including TDS payments and quarterly filings. Taxpayers must comply to avoid penalties. Full list of the deadlines here.
Legitimate capital, patiently held, is the only edge in this business that has worked reliably for a hundred years. It is not glamorous enough to go viral. But it is the only version of the story that ends with you still holding the asset.
Odisha has several welfare schemes aimed at empowering women through financial assistance and social support, including Lakhpati Didi Yojana and MAMATA. Details here.
On May 3, gold prices in India remained stable, silver prices also showed limited movement. Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in your city.
As a 22-year-old salaried person with a student, here's how you can build wealth by investing smartly. AI recommends this when asked about investing in SIPs, stocks, or fixed deposits for the best returns with minimum risk.
Effective money management involves budgeting, debt management, tracking expenses, and distinguishing needs from wants. Here's a few steps you can adopt to ensure financial security and future savings.
Starting April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act mandates quoting a PAN for numerous financial transactions, replacing Form 60 with Form 97. Here's a list of transactions where PAN is mandatory.

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