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Forex inflows mobilised under the Reserve Bank of India's special USD-INR swap facility reached USD 72.85 billion as of August 21 with FCNR(B) deposits accounting for the bulk of the funds raised under the scheme
AI allows investors to compare investment options, estimate their retirement corpus or review their portfolio in mere seconds by transforming hours of complex financial research into a simple conversation.
Employer contributions and tax-free withdrawals enhance EPF's attractiveness, according to EPFO. The stock market serves different financial goals, it says.
The 8th Pay Commissions current terms of reference do not explicitly provide for pension revision for employees who retired before 1 January 2026. Past Pay Commissions show that the government can amend their ToR, but pensioners demands for a change to the 8th CPC mandate are yet to be accepted.
Retirement planning requires early planning and taking various factors into consideration. For a 5 crore corpus by 60, monthly mutual fund SIP amounts can vary based on your age. Check calculations here.
Indias retirement-income replacement rate is around 3540%, below the global level of about 60%, PFRDA chief S. Ramann said. As PFRDA targets 30 crore NPS and APY subscribers, the regulator is urging Indians to build larger retirement savings through regular investments.
In India, professional tax is deducted from salaries or paid directly by self-employed individuals. The structure varies by state, but not every state imposes this tax. Details here.
A 2.0 fitment factor under the 8th Pay Commission could double basic pay, but it may not double the gross salary of central government employees. Heres why DA, HRA and other allowances could make the actual salary increase much lower.
With the August 31 ITR deadline approaching, freelancers must ensure that they select the appropriate ITR form, report foreign income, and deduct eligible business expenses, ensuring compliance to avoid penalties. All FAQs answered here.
EPF does not always stop earning interest when you leave a job or retire. EPFO rules explain when interest continues, when an account becomes inoperative and what happens to the balance.
A defence employees' federation has proposed 72,000 as the minimum monthly pay for central government employees under the 8th CPC, up from 18,000. Its three-step formula factors in national income growth, a larger family unit and fiscal prudence.
In a recent legal dispute, a daughter sued her father for withdrawing funds before she could claim it upon maturity. The Delhi High Court ruled in her favor. Here's what parents can and cannot do with their childs savings.
HSBC has reopened three international mutual funds to fresh SIPs and lump-sum investments, with a 2 lakh monthly limit. The funds offer exposure to emerging markets, Asia-Pacific and Brazil, with one-year returns ranging from 28.9% to 53.6%.
Unlimited sum insured removes the fixed monetary ceiling on eligible hospitalisation claims, but it does not mean every medical expense is covered. Heres what unlimited health insurance mean, its benefits against rising medical costs, and the exclusions policyholders should know.
ITAT Delhi overturned a 3.74 lakh penalty on a salaried employee who earned 30 lakh salary , as the delay in ITR filing was due to procedural lapses, not intent to under-report. Details here.
Struggling with loan repayments? Learn how early communication with lenders, debt prioritisation, spending control and restructuring options can help borrowers manage EMIs, reduce financial stress and protect their credit profile from further damage.
Should spouses buy separate term insurance plans? Experts explain how couples can assess income, household contributions, liabilities, dependants and future goals to determine suitable life insurance cover and avoid financial protection gaps for their families.
A large-cap fund may be able to handle a large AUM. But, for a mid- or small-cap fund, a large AUM can lead to higher diversification or higher cash levels, which can impact the schemes returns.
Passive funds generally have lower expense ratios because the fund manager is not actively selecting stocks. Over a long investment period, even a small difference in annual cost can make a meaningful difference to the final corpus.
The RBI has released the SGB premature redemption calendar for October 2026 to March 2027, covering 32 eligible tranches. Investors should check their SGB series and submit redemption requests within the specified window to exit before maturity.
Income tax department has urged taxpayers to file their ITR before the August 31 deadline. Here's who should file by that due date and which return form is meant for you.
An Ahmedabad landowner faced a 3.41 crore tax addition after his co-owned land was allegedly sold for 6.82 crore using forged signatures and a fake power of attorney.
UIDAI has completed over 2 crore Aadhaar biometric updates for school children under a nationwide drive. With the process currently free for eligible children, parents should know when the update is required, why it matters and how to complete it before the deadline.
All private and public-sector banks in India will remain closed today, August 22, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month. Check the date for next bank holiday.
As India Inc looks to smaller towns to power festive sales, hiring of gig and blue-collar workers is rising. But a sizeable pay divide persists: workers beyond the metros can earn 2530% less by some estimates, even as companies struggle to find enough hands.
For self-employed individuals in India, handling tax compliance and maintaining financial records can be complicated. Presumptive taxation offers a simpler alternative for eligible small businesses and professionals.
The air services tariff regulator Aera has cut Bengaluru airport's user development fee sharply and introduced a first-ever charge on arriving passengers, but built in a mechanism to add fresh charges as three major expansion projects come online through 2030-31.
Investing the corpus in a mutual fund and setting up a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) reduces the tax burden and creates a steady income.
A Haryana man, whose declared income was 1.79 lakh, faces an income addition of 11.22 crore. A tax tribunal offers a final chance to contest this by planting 500 trees or paying the cost within a month.
Axis Bank will revise several credit card rules from August 28, including higher DCC charges, a new late fee slab, changes to payment settlement and restrictions on reward points.
Naturally Yours founder Vinod C. stresses the importance of paying oneself a modest salary while building a startup. He argues that financial self-punishment is unsustainable and encourages founders to manage personal expenses realistically to avoid burnout and maintain long-term commitment.
Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says three homegrown companies are in talks with the ministry of electronics and IT to apply for incentives under the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme.
Here is how the top public sector banks stack up for a 5 lakh investment based on current interest rates and quarterly compounding.
A Kerala consumer commission has ordered a builder to pay 25 lakh to a homebuyer after finding serious construction defects and inferior materials. The amount includes 20 lakh for repairs and damages, 5 lakh compensation and 25,000 litigation costs.
Robert Kiyosaki emphasises the high cost of financial ignorance, advocating for the pursuit of knowledge over merely focusing on the costs of education. After attending expensive educational programmes, he reflects on the value of ongoing learning to make better financial decisions.
Jay Kothari warns investors not to be misled by extraordinary market returns and emphasizes the need for proper research and patience.
Turning 60 in India signifies the end of active earning but opens the door to financial benefits including higher interest rates, tax concessions and discounts on travel and utilities. All of these financial benefits ease day-to-day spending.
Priya Sunder, co-founder and director at PeakAlpha Investments, said a child's exact career choice cannot be predicted 15 years in advance. She, therefore, advised that a portfolio be structured based on present value, adjusted for education-specific inflation.
Your credit report is crucial for loan applications, as discrepancies can harm your credit score and loan approval chances. Here's what you must do the moment you spot a discrepancy.
PM Narendra Modis seven-stream framework puts agriculture and food production at the heart of the push towards Viksit Bharat, with a focus on processing, branding and global exports.
A businessman received 23 lakh via RTGS but had his account frozen by the bank due to an income mismatch. The Allahabad High Court ruled in his favor, ordering the bank to pay 50,000 in compensation. Here's what happened.
Indias lending ecosystem is becoming more interconnected as banks, NBFCs and fintechs take on specialised roles. This shift is distributing lending risk while making data sharing, technology and coordination increasingly important.
A recent Sebi study reveals that young traders, aged under 30, now represent 43% of individual traders but face high losses, with 89% incurring losses in FY26. Details here.
EPFO has clarified when an EPF account becomes inoperative and stops earning interest. Here are four retirementage examples, key rules and practical steps members should know to manage old balances.
Profits from selling an asset is generally subject to income tax, but there are certain exceptions which are categorised as personal effects by the income tax department. Here's when you have to pay tax and when the sale of an item is exempt from tax.
Gold and silver prices today, 21 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.
Senior citizens in India get higher interest rates, tax concessions and discounts on travel and utilitiesbut with retirement largely self-funded, building a sufficient corpus remains crucial.
India has lagged global markets amid the AI boom. DSPs Jay Kothari explains why that underperformance could reverse, where investors should look and how to approach the coming IPO wave.
The Supreme Court ruled that a retired employee cannot switch pension schemes after accepting benefits. This arose from a case where a retired professor sought GPF coverage after being under CPF. Details of the full case here.
The 8th Pay Commissions Terms of Reference could be amended to include pension revision for retirees who retired before 1 January 2026. While the Centre has yet to announce any change, historical precedents show that the ToRs of earlier Pay Commissions have been amended and improved when required.

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