Personal Finance / The Economic Times
Dear customers of Kotak Mahindra Bank, please be advised to strategize your banking actions before November 23, 2025 3.30AM till 4.30AM. On this date, any UPI and ATM transactions above Rs 20,000 will be temporarily halted, alongside the unavailability of both old and new mobile banking platforms. This is all part of an essential system upgrade to enhance your future banking experience.
if you have an income of Rs 11 lakh, then you wont have to pay income tax due to the Section 87A tax rebate under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. The Section 87A tax rebate applies to income up to Rs 12 lakh under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. Moreover, you can also submit Form 15G to avoid TDS deduction, if the total income, after claiming all tax deductions and the Section 87A rebate, is below the taxable limit.
Big win for Mr. Khatri! The Rajasthan High Court just ruled that his adult, married son needs his dad's permission to live in his house. This basically confirms Mr. Khatri's sole ownership rights, meaning he's in charge of who stays on his property. It's a clear victory for the father's property rights.
Starting November 21, 2025, India is set to transform its workforce landscape with four pioneering labour codes. These reforms mandate appointment letters for every worker, ensuring transparency and security. Fixed-term employees will benefit from gratuity payouts after completing one year, while women will enjoy the option of night shifts, fostering inclusivity.
Heads up! Theres a new phishing scheme targeting Microsoft users with fake password reset emails. Scammers have set up a website similar to Microsoft's, using 'rnicrosoft.com' to lure you in. This could lead to serious security breaches for your account. Make it a habit to scrutinize email addresses and links closely. For password resets, go straight to the Microsoft homepage.
Top 10 states was recorded at Rs 79.79 lakh crore as on October 2025.
ETMutualFunds has handpicked the top mid-cap mutual funds by analysing their mean rolling returns.
A 33-year-old government teacher, Saurabh Yadav, is strategically investing in SIPs and NPS to build a Rs 15 crore corpus over 30 years. His well-diversified portfolio, with a moderate to high-risk allocation, is praised by experts. Regular reviews and controlled smallcap exposure are key to achieving his long-term wealth goal.
Customers who push their bank related work to Saturdays should make sure to check if banks are open on the coming Saturday or not. Digital banking and ATMs will remain operational for all essential transactions. No other bank holidays are scheduled for November.
New labour laws are now in effect. Fixed-term employees receive full benefits and gratuity in one year. Women workers gain equal pay and broader work opportunities. Contract workers will get health and social security from employers. Gig and platform workers are defined and will receive welfare benefits. These reforms simplify 29 old laws into four codes.
ETMutualFunds breaks down key details of The Wealth Company Multi Asset Allocation Fund NFO, covering its strategy, asset mix, fund managers, flexibility across equity, debt and commodities, and suitability for diversified investing
Mutual funds launch new funds to complete their bouquet of offerings. Here's a detailed breakdown of NFOs live now (Source: ACE MF).
Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor has rented out her residential property located in Bandra West, Mumbai. At a monthly rate of Rs 5.51 lakh, this agreement, officially registered for November 2025, will last for one year.
The STOXX is on track for weekly losses of nearly 3%, its biggest weekly drop since the unveiling of U.S. tariffs sent global markets into a tailspin between late March and early April. Among individual stocks, French water and waste management group Veolia VIE.PA lost 1% after agreeing to buy U.S.-based hazardous waste company Clean Earth from Enviri for $3 billion.
ETMutualFunds has shortlisted four top smallcap funds for November 2025 based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk and long-term performance.
Over the past three years, the top-performing largecap mutual funds have delivered strong annualised returns of up to 28%, led by BHARAT 22 ETF and ICICI Prudential BHARAT 22 FOF. However, several funds lagged behind, including offerings from Nippon India, Axis, LIC, Tata and Sundaram.
Around 17 equity mutual funds have delivered over 20% returns in the last nine months, with midcap funds dominating the top performers. Mirae Asset Midcap Fund and Invesco India Midcap Fund led the pack with returns exceeding 24%. The remaining 264 funds saw returns ranging from 2.01% to 19.90%.
Over Rs 25,000 crore remains unclaimed in Indian insurance policies due to forgotten claims or unaware nominees. Tracking and claiming these dormant funds is now easier through insurer websites and the IRDAI's Bima Bharosa portal. It offers simple ways to check for unclaimed amounts and provides a clear process for rightful beneficiaries to claim what is theirs.
Sundaram Focused Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.12 crore over two decades, showcasing strong long-term compounding. While its inception returns are impressive, recent performance has lagged behind its benchmark and category average. Experts advise caution due to concentrated portfolios, suggesting focused funds are best for investors with high risk tolerance.
Considering near-term or three-year-plus goals? Corporate bond funds, investing in top-rated companies, offer relative safety. While interest rate hikes remain a concern, these funds provide a stable option.
Kotak Mahindra Bank and super.money introduce the Kotak811 3-in-1 account. This new offering combines a zero-balance savings account, a fixed deposit, and a secured credit card. The Kotak811 super.money credit card is backed by a fixed deposit, offering a credit limit up to 90% of the FD value. This facility is also available for individuals with lower credit scores.
RBL Bank has launched two new premium credit cards: LUMIRE and NOVA. LUMIRE, an invitation-only metal card, offers exclusive luxury experiences and personalized services for Rs 50,000 annually. NOVA targets frequent travelers with 6% value back on bookings and 10% restaurant savings, priced at Rs 12,500 annually.
Exciting news for property sellers! Starting April 1, 2027, you can now effortlessly close your Capital Gains Account Scheme accounts online. This fantastic update from the Central Board of Direct Taxes eliminates previous bottlenecks that required tedious in-person applications. Enjoy a hassle-free experience as you manage your tax exemptions for property sales right from your living room!
Employee unions are pressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revise the 8th Pay Commission's Terms of Reference. Key demands include reinstating the Old Pension Scheme for lakhs of employees and ensuring pension revisions for current pensioners. Unions also seek the inclusion of stakeholder expectations and an interim relief of 20% for employees and pensioners.
The Bombay High Court has made a pivotal judgment by reversing the conviction of a man and his parents charged with cruelty under Section 498A. The court determined that the accusations based solely on the wife's parents' statements lacked sufficient credence.
Attention all businesses! Your GST registration may be suspended if you don't submit your bank account details on time. Make sure to provide this crucial information within 30 days of registration, or before filing outbound supplies. Neglecting this requirement could lead to serious disruptions in your operations.
Nineteen new banks are now authorized to offer Capital Gains Account Scheme Services. This expansion provides more options for taxpayers to deposit unutilized capital gains and claim tax exemptions. Homebuyers will benefit from increased flexibility in choosing banking services for these transactions. The move aims to simplify the process for individuals seeking tax relief on asset transfers.
A Harvard study highlights billions lost annually due to hasty liquidations, advocating for restructuring. WazirX's successful Singapore-based restructuring after a cyberattack offers a creditor-friendly model, contrasting with India's delayed NCLT processes. This signals a need for India to adopt structured regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies.
India's UIDAI is launching a new Aadhaar app featuring offline verification to enhance security and privacy. Users can share Aadhaar details paperlessly, reducing fraud risks. The app allows storing up to five family profiles, biometric locking, and streamlined updates, offering greater control and convenience for Aadhaar holders.
These five equity mutual funds have delivered 2125% annualised SIP returns over the past decade, with smallcap and midcap categories dominating the charts.
Axis MF has launched the Axis Multi-Asset Active FoF, offering a single-window solution combining equity, debt, gold, and silver through a model-driven allocation framework. The fund aims for long-term capital appreciation with dynamic rebalancing, efficient taxation, and diversified exposure, targeting investors seeking smoother returns and lower volatility over a two-year horizon.
In a landmark decision from the Delhi High Court, a husband is required to divvy up 50% of the profits from a property sale with his wife during their divorce proceedings. In addition to this division, the court has ordered him to remit a monthly sum of Rs 2 lakh to her.
Assets of the largest India-focused offshore funds and ETFs rose modestly over six months, with most major funds seeing inflows. iShares MSCI India products remained dominant, while midcap and diversified strategies also expanded their asset base
According to financial expert Pankaj Mathpal, MD, Optima Money Managers, Ajays portfolio is well-diversified but leans heavily toward aggressive categories like small-cap and mid-cap funds
The forgotten Tata stock has inflicted a mounting Rs 25,000 crore loss on investors as prolonged underperformance, weak sentiment, and fading confidence deepen concerns. With no clear catalyst for a turnaround, shareholders remain uncertain about recovery prospects, questioning whether the stock can reclaim value or continue its downward drift.
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) offers a high 8.2% interest rate, making it a top post office small savings scheme for daughters' financial security. With over four crore accounts opened and Rs 3.25 lakh crore deposited, SSY aims to fund education and marriage expenses. The maximum investment in the scheme in a financial year is Rs 1.50 lakh.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance introduces the NextGen Consumption Fund. This new fund allows customers to invest in India's growing consumption driven by millennials and Gen Z. It focuses on companies benefiting from changing lifestyles and digital adoption. The fund targets sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and retail. It aims to capture the multi-trillion dollar consumption growth expected from India's young population.
In a landmark decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted a specially-abled woman access to her late father's family pension, overturning a previous denial. Despite her 70% disability and her marriage to a husband with a 100% disability who has a government job, the court affirmed that neither her marital status nor her husband's salary affects her eligibility.
Baroda BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched India's first fund offering direct access to the US small-cap market via its GIFT City branch. The Baroda BNP Paribas GIFT US Small Cap Fund allows Indian investors to diversify into US equities, overcoming SEBI's overseas investment cap. This regulated, dollar-denominated fund invests in the well-performing BNP Paribas US Small Cap Fund.
In October, mutual funds fully exited seven stocks, including Mangalore Chemicals, Dhani Services, and 5Paisa Capital, selling shares worth up to Rs 308 crore, as per Prime Database.
In Noida, property ownership operates under a leasehold model, which means the land is ultimately owned by the authority, whereas Ghaziabad provides a more traditional freehold option, allowing buyers full ownership rights. While converting leasehold properties in Noida to freehold is a complex issue with limited avenues, the authorities are actively engaging in discussions to explore feasible renewal mechanisms.
In a twist of fate, a government servant handed back a bribe of Rs 3 lakh in the form of a cheque when a promised job didn't materialize. However, the cheque bounced, prompting the hopeful candidate to take legal action. Read more to know what Madras High Court said.
A home loan overdraft account lets you park surplus cash to slash interest payments while retaining access to your money, unlike traditional prepayment. But with higher interest rates and hidden conditions, is this financial tool right for every borrower? We decode the math, the trade-offs, and who really benefits.
Sovereign Gold Bond: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the final redemption price of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18 Series VIII issue date November 20, 2017. The dates for the subscription of the tranche were November 13-15, 2017, while the date of issuance for the same was November 20, 2017.

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