The Economic Times
Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
Effective tax rate of 34.94% under old and 28.60% under new tax regime; know how REIT, InvIT unitholders can benefit if trusts' switch tax regime. REIT, InvIT unitholders can gain from new tax regime.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made it easier for members to access their savings by modifying withdrawal regulations. Now, individuals can withdraw up to seventy-five percent of their accumulated balance twice a year. In cases of unemployment, members can access seventy-five percent of their provident fund immediately.
Mutual funds launched 25 new open-ended schemes in July, mobilising 2,022 crore. Equity funds raised the most at 768 crore, followed by overnight, hybrid and index funds, while ETFs and lifecycle funds attracted comparatively smaller inflows.
Family bought reservation ticket to travel to Tirupati but due to overcrowding manyunreserved, waiting list and ticketless passengers occupied their seats; family files case and wins Rs 50,000 compensation. Know how they won the case in consumer commission
Buyer purchased Rs 8.85 crore worth property by paying Rs 6.5 crore; Tax dept sent notice for unexplained property investment u/s 69B; Know how the buyer won case in ITAT Mumbai. Read the article
APMI appointed Vikas Khemani as Chairman and Sandeep Jethwani as Vice-Chairman following its August 10 board meeting. The new leadership will focus on transparency, governance, investor education, technology adoption and industry best practices. Indias PMS industry had Rs 43.3 lakh crore in AUM as of June 2026, highlighting its growing importance.
Man sentenced to three years jail for using aluminum foil in Kaju Katli instead of silver foil; he wins case in Gujarat HC due to food inspector's error in collecting samples under Rule 14 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955. Know how he won case in Gujarat High Court.
EPS 95 latest news: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has received over fifteen lakh applications for higher EPS pensions. As of August 5th, 2026, there remain eleven thousand five hundred ninety-five applications still pending. In response to a Supreme Court ruling granting access to higher pension options, the government has instructed regional EPFO offices and employers to hasten the application verification process.
Gold prices saw an increase today across major Indian jewellery brands. Retail rates for 22K gold jewellery climbed at Tanishq and other stores. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also reported higher gold and silver prices.
On a year-on-year basis, SIP inflows increased 12% from Rs 28,464 crore in July 2025.
Employee denied compensation as he lost his left leg due to accident at workplace during lunch-break; Delhi HC orders insurance company to pay Rs 7.86 lakh with 12% interest under Employee's Compensation Act, 1923. Know how he won the case in high court.
Quant Small Cap Fund added 13 stocks and exited four in July. The fund increased exposure to 10 stocks while reducing holdings in seven, taking its portfolio to 106 stocks.
Equity mutual fund inflows fell 15% month-on-month to Rs 24,697 crore in July, with small-cap funds attracting a record Rs 7,767 crore. Debt funds saw a sharp turnaround, recording Rs 1.87 lakh crore in inflows after two months of outflows. Hybrid fund inflows declined 11%, while passive fund inflows fell 25% during the month.
ET Wealth Reader's Query: My two NRI children are unable to find a field in ITR-2 to disclose gifts received from relatives. The Income Tax department has also not responded to the grievance lodged on its portal regarding this issue. Kindly guide us on how such gifts should be reported in the ITR so that they can file their returns.
Man purchased flat from PNB in auction but got only 1 parking spot for his 6 vehicles; housing society used wheel jammer to clamp wrongly parked vehicles; Maharashtra co-op appellate court rules society needs to give 48 hour notice with reasons to clamp wrongly parked vehicle. Know what happened in this case.
Sovereign Gold Bond: The Reserve Bank of India has revealed the redemption prices for select gold bond series, which can be redeemed prematurely after a five-year period from their issuance. The redemption amount is determined by taking a three-day average of gold prices.
Planning an international trip? A 'zero forex markup' credit card promises savings, but hidden charges and fluctuating exchange rates can still impact your costs. Discover what this popular travel perk truly means, when it saves you money, and if a prepaid forex card might be the smarter choice for your next adventure.
FCNR(B) deposits serve as a reliable investment option for NRIs wishing to secure foreign earnings in India. Penalties can differ across institutions, so it's essential to consult individual bank policies before considering any withdrawals.
Tax -saving mutual funds or Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSSs) helps you to save income tax under Section 80C of the IT Act. You can invest a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh in ELSSs and claim tax deductions on your investments every financial year. Are you interested?
Minimum EPS pension: Pensioners are advocating for a boost in the minimum EPS pension. The government reassured them that existing pensions are backed by appropriate budget allocations. A considerable number of pensioners benefit from the EPS scheme, and recent Supreme Court rulings have enabled many employees to qualify for increased pensions. While the government is dedicated to enhancing social security, it prioritizes the sustainability of funds.
Can EPF contributions secure a comfortable retirement for those with higher salaries. With an annual income of 15 lakh, one can potentially accumulate a significant retirement fund corpus. However, rising inflation and healthcare expenses highlight the urgent need for a diversified investment strategy to ensure a financially stable future.
The Wealth Company has launched an open-ended Category III AIF in GIFT City, offering eligible non-resident investors, including NRIs, a US-dollar route to diversified Indian mutual funds and ETFs through professionally managed portfolio selection.
SBI Mutual Fund has launched the SBI Balanced Hybrid Fund, an open-ended scheme investing in equity and debt instruments. The NFO is open until August 24, with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000. The fund will maintain a 4060% allocation each to equity and debt, targeting long-term growth and income.
Chennai man sold property for Rs 94 lakh despite Rs 1.93 crore stamp duty value; so tax dept sent notice u/s Section 50C to tax the differential amount; ITAT Chennai gives him relief; Know why he won the case in ITAT Chennai.
Senior citizen to get Rs 3.96 lakh from housing society after housing society's faulty terrace repairs caused water leakage in his two flats; Maharashtra Co-Op Appellate Court order explained. Know how he won court case.
Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched the Bandhan Contra Fund, an open-ended equity scheme targeting fundamentally strong but out-of-favour businesses. The NFO closes August 24, follows a contrarian strategy and aims to benefit from improving fundamentals and eventual market re-rating.
Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in total AUM across mutual funds, AIF and PMS as of August 7, 2026. The milestone reflects its QGLP investment philosophy and equity-focused strategy. During FY2026, the fund house expanded products, added 56.08 lakh SIPs and recorded Rs 16,479 crore in SIP inflows.
Son promised to care for elderly parents after receiving their Mumbai flat as gift; however, he failed to do so; Bombay High Court cancels gift deed and orders son and wife to vacate. Know why son lost the case in Bombay High Court.
Standard UPI transfers for individuals will remain complimentary, ensuring users can continue making everyday payments without worry. While most merchant transactions also stay free, high-value business dealings may bear small fees.
Family member sold his 1/3rd share of agricultural land for Rs 7.24 crore, pays no tax, tax dept sent notice, he wins case in ITAT Ahmedabad; Know how Google earth photos and Revenue Records helped him win. Read the article.
Daughter vs father legal fight over Rs 8.13 lakh PPF amount: In her complaint, she claimed that there were matrimonial disputes between her mother and father and she was living with her mother. The daughter alleged that her father has taken away all her funds, only to pressurise the mother by putting them under financial constraint.
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) accounts become inactive if there are no contributions or withdrawals for three consecutive years. To avoid losing interest, it's recommended that early retirees withdraw their funds before this age. EPFO encourages members to manage their balances proactively to maintain interest accumulation and avert potential financial setbacks.
8th Pay Commission fitment factor: Bharat Pensioners Samaj met 8th Pay Commission officials proposing a minimum pension of Rs 45,000. They also recommended a minimum basic salary of Rs 69,000 for central government employees. The delegation suggested revising pay and pension every five years instead of ten. They also asked for quarterly revision of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief. Cashless healthcare facilities and a Rs 5,000 medical allowance were also requested.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, the largest active flexicap fund by AUM, raised its stake in HCL Technologies, Coal India and nine other stocks in July. It added 5.76 lakh HCL Tech shares and 10.27 lakh Coal India shares. Among the other holdings, Indraprastha Gas saw the biggest addition, with the fund buying 1.06 crore shares during the month.
Gold rates today: Gold prices saw an increase on Monday, August 10, 2026. If you are planning to buy gold jewellery, here is a look at the latest 22K gold rates at Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers across major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.
The Nifty Smallcap 250 index has achieved a remarkable 52-week high, capturing the interest of investors. Analysts recommend maintaining systematic investment plans (SIPs) for those committed to a five-year strategy and who can handle increased risk. It's essential to align rebalancing efforts with targeted asset allocations. While small-cap stocks exhibit significant growth potential, they also present heightened volatility. Therefore, investors should prioritize long-term fundamentals over fle
The fund manager has the option to decide where the money will be invested. If he thinks the large cap space is attractive, he may invest in large cap stocks. If he thinks mid cap and small cap stocks are poised to take off, he may invest in them. As you can see, these investments may increase or decrease the risk in these schemes.
The objective of life insurance is to provide a replacement income to the dependents of the deceased employee. That is why it is important to link the GTL cover to an employees annual salary. Employers who link the sum assured to CTC generally use a multiple of 2.
Introduced in 2013, direct mutual fund plans present a cost-effective alternative for investors, accounting for thirty percent of total assets under management. However, it has been observed that those who opt for direct plans tend to exit their investments earlier than those in regular plans. Despite the mathematical advantage of direct plans, behavioral trends reveal a notable gap in performance.
Generation Z places a strong emphasis on balancing experiences and career adaptability while ensuring financial security. This generation is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about their financial objectives and is unafraid to express their needs. With a focus on early investment and varied financial opportunities, Gen Z effectively navigates modern economic challenges through credit products, and they seek clarity in career guidance from employers right from the start.
Dr S. Prakash, CEO, Health Insurance Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships, General Insurance Council, speaks to Preeti Kulkarni on policyholders complaints around claim rejections, spike in renewal premiums and the industrys push for greater standardisation in treatment protocols and billing practices.

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