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Once the dearness allowance (DA) is announced, the increased salary would be transferred to the accounts of central government employees with effect from 1 January 2026.
The financial year 2026-27 begins today, and the Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers tax benefits and a 7.1% interest rate, making it a safe long-term investment. Here's how you can maximise returns
Indian employees may receive higher gratuity payouts under the new Labour Codes, which redefine wage calculations. Here's a look at when a higher gratuity is applicable, who is eligible, the changes to the calculation and the impact on in-hand salary.
The central government is expected to announce a DA hike in April 2026, benefitting over 1 crore employees and pensioners. The unusual delay is likely due to administrative checks, the 8th Pay Commission transition and the approval process, with arrears assured, say experts.
Indian households hold 25,000-30,000 tonnes of gold, valued at nearly $5 trillion. With limited bank locker availability, experts recommend jewellery insurance to cover risks like theft and natural disasters, especially as gold prices rise.
Despite the discipline, your portfolio lacks the diversification and high-growth potential that other asset classes can provide.
The concessional duty structure covers a wide range of products across sectors, including chemicals, plastics, textiles, metals and other manufactured goods, reflecting a broad-based relief measure for SEZ units.
The Centre has implemented a new fuel mandate for petrol pumps to supply E20 fuel with a minimum octane rating of 95 RON, enhancing Indias ethanol blending programme to promote cleaner transportation and energy security.
Options sold as volatility plays hide a structural flawone retail traders often discover too late, after the market moves, premiums collapse, and the trade that seemed safe quietly turns costly.
Rupee hits an all-time low against the dollar, impacting personal finances with rising costs on products and services, costlier imports, and higher EMIs. Such a situation requires proper decision-making and long-term investment strategies, highlighting the importance of smart financial planning.
Equity SIPs are delivering negative returns despite disciplined investing, data shared by Zerodhas Nithin Kamath shows. Investors often overlook diversification in bull markets. Heres why balancing equity with debt and gold helps manage risk and stay invested through volatility.
From mandatory four-way segregation to landfill disincentives and industry fuel mandates, the new solid waste management rules tighten accountability across households, municipalities and businesses.
Film actors are branching into theatre and documentaries to stay creatively active between releases, building credibility and long-term brand equitywhile carefully balancing the risks of overexposure and diluted focus.
From soaring electricity bills and AC cab rides to vacations, summer camps and medical buffers, Indias summer can raise household expenses by 1012%. Heres how to plan ahead.
Start FY27 strong with a smart financial planning checklist covering budgeting, tax-saving investments, insurance review, emergency funds, SIP growth and portfolio rebalancing to secure long-term financial stability.
On April 1, banks in several Indian cities will be shut for closing their yearly accounts. While most branches suspend operations, essential services like ATMs and online banking remain accessible. Details here.
Income Tax, Finance Changes, April 1 LIVE Updates: The New Income Tax Act comes into effect today, April 1, 2026. Get real-time updates on tax slabs, increased standard deductions, and the simplified capital gains regime. See how your take-home salary changes today.
As petrol pumps switch to 20% ethanol blended petrol nationwide, most vehicles on the road remain unprepared, raising concerns over fuel efficiency and engine wear.
Weekly credit updates will reduce the 40-45-day blackout window to about 6-7 days, curbing loan stacking and lowering the risk of consumer disputes.
Over the next three years, the first phase of the growth plan, the NBFC plans to venture into new product segments such as personal loans, gold loans and MSME loans.
India's central bank is scrutinizing corporate treasury positions amid rupee pressure from capital outflows and rising crude prices. The Reserve Bank of India aims to assess arbitrage exposure rather than immediate regulation, following new rules on banks' open positions in the forex market.
The new Income-Tax Act effective from 1 April may impact your take-home salary as companies adjust components and exemptions and taxes come into play. Here's what could change
The income-tax department has notified all seven ITR forms for AY2026-27. Taxpayers must choose the correct ITR form based on their past tax filing history and current income profile.
A 70-year-old soft drink entrepreneur seeks advice on passing on his recipe, brand name, logo and other intellectual property to his children through structured estate planning.
In Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced no income tax for salaries up to 12 lakh under the new tax regime. Taxpayers must choose between new and old regimes based on their financial situation.
Indian households hold 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of gold, mostly in jewellery and coins, with significant wealth gains from rising gold prices. Here's how to navigate the questions over storage, safety, insurance, investment and risk-returns.
As demand consolidates and developers expand, investors say rising reliance on formal funding will shape housing, office and new asset classes
Nokia is flagging increased costs for Indian telecom equipment due to the West Asia war-related supply chain disruptions and AI-driven memory chip shortages.
Social Security payments in the United States for April 2026 will be distributed based on beneficiaries birth dates. Those born between the 1st and 10th will receive payments on 8 April, while others will be paid later in the month.
EPF rules explained with clarity on interest, pension eligibility, withdrawals, and retirement timelines, helping salaried individuals optimise EPF benefits and avoid costly misconceptions in long-term financial planning.
Starting 1 April 2026, significant financial rule changes will affect taxpayers, bank customers, and digital payment users in India, including the new Income Tax Act and the two-factor authentication for digital transactions. Details here.
Mandatory dual authentication from 1 April aims to plug gaps in PIN- and OTP-based systems as digital frauds surge.
The Drugs Controller General of India proposes a new norm, driven by public demand, to allow pharmacies to dispense exact medicine quantities, aiming to cut patient costs and reduce wastage.
CBDT clarifies TDS on bank interest under the Income Tax Act 2025, ensuring clear thresholds, senior citizen benefits and smooth compliance, helping depositors manage fixed deposits and recurring interest efficiently.
Appliance makers are preparing to raise prices by up to 10% to offset a surge in input costs triggered by the USIran war.
Industry executives say geopolitical tensions have not dented lending momentum, and margin pressures and gold price volatility remain manageable
Fuel spikes, airspace closures and lifted fare caps are pushing ticket prices sharply higherreshaping business and leisure travel plans across domestic and global routes.
The actor-entrepreneur invests in fitness, food, and lifestyle brands, betting on passionate founders while managing losses strategically.
RBI Sachet Portal helps users verify financial institutions, report fraud, and track complaints.
Debt mutual funds follow different strategiessome bet on falling rates, others earn steady income. With yield spreads wide, heres how duration and accrual strategies stack up now.
Indian companies are stepping up innovation spending, but lack of validation, policy support and assured demand slow commercial adoption.
Filmmakers are investing in large-scale projects like Ramayana and Varanasi, aiming for global audiences despite box office uncertainties. Successful storytelling, visual spectacle, and multiple revenue streams are critical, though recent failures highlight the risks involved.
The only way to truly learn investing is to live through the fear and the panicbecause markets dont test your knowledge, they test your nerve. Real conviction is forged not in bull runs, but in moments when staying invested feels hardest.
8th Central Pay Commission Dehradun Visit 2026 invites stakeholders for consultations on pay, allowances, and pensions. The deadline to submit participation requests for the 24 April meeting is 10 April.
April 1 Financial Rule Changes LIVE Updates: One of the most significant changes from 1 April is the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025. Follow Mint's LIVE coverage of 1 April financial rule changes.
Bank holiday today: Banks across various Indian cities will be closed on 31 March for Mahavir Jayanti. Here's a list of all cities where banks will be closed on Tuesday.
AI promises significant revenue gains and frees up bankers for strategic work, without replacing human judgment.
Aditya Puri, the former MD and CEO of HDFC Bank, shares insights from his 26-year journey in banking during a chat at the Mint India Investment Summit. He discusses the evolution of financial services in India, the role of AI and how a customer-focused approach can transform banking.
While the measure may have some short-term impact, the Indian economy's fundamentals will determine the course of the rupee. The move may support the rupee from falling further, but lead to mark-to-market losses in the March quarter.
According to a bill passed in the Karnataka assembly last week, a tax in the range of 5-10% of a vehicles price will be imposed on all EV cars based on their price at the time of registration in the state, which is expected to widen the price gap with less expensive ICE vehicles.

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