The Economic Times

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in pending higher EPS pension issues. He highlighted procedural hurdles under Para 26(6), continuing litigation, pending Parliamentary Assurance No. 271/72, financial sustainability concerns and differing pension treatment among trust employees. He sought uniform implementation, faster disposal of eligible claims and a comprehensive review of EPS-1995.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has rolled out significant amendments to income tax regulations for 2026, particularly affecting electronic communication and tax recovery processes. The deadlines for registering valuers and income tax professionals have been pushed back, allowing applicants until March 31, 2027, to finalize their registrations.

In a game-changing move for FASTag users, the newly launched 'OneTag' portability feature enables individuals to transition their issuer bank without losing their current physical tag. This innovative service mandates a fresh Know Your Customer verification to initiate the portability. Subsequent to the successful switch, the initial bank will deactivate the old wallet and refund any remaining balance.

Homebuyer caught between builder and housing society dispute over parking space and open area; Maharashtra Court protects buyers parking rights. Read the article to know how.

Gland Pharma, LIC Housing Finance, Gujarat Energy, CAMS and Amber Enterprises India saw the highest mutual fund selling among smallcap stocks in August, according to Dolat Capital.

Only two of 23 mutual fund themes, IPO and defence, gained in August as domestic equities faced broad-based pressure, according to Vallum Capital. Auto, railways and technology were among the biggest laggards, while equity fund inflows fell sharply. Commodities remained the strongest performer on a year-to-date basis despite a monthly decline.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has filed draft documents with Sebi for an income plus arbitrage omni FoF, which will invest in debt-oriented and arbitrage funds. The open-ended scheme will offer regular and direct plans with growth options, a Rs 500 minimum investment and a benchmark combining debt and arbitrage indices.

Gold rate today: Here are the latest 22k gold jewellery rates from Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the latest 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold prices and the 999-purity silver rate from the Indian Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) today.

Five smallcap stocks, including Himadri Speciality, GMDC and IIFL Finance, saw the highest net selling by mutual funds in August, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

FD interest rates: Many banks are currently promoting compelling interest rates for 555-day fixed deposits. While general depositors can enjoy rates of up to 7.25%, senior citizens benefit even more, with rates peaking at 7.50% for the same duration. Notably, City Union Bank and Karnataka Bank offer competitive options. It's advisable for depositors to check the latest rates before making any decisions on fixed deposits.

The central government has made it easier for employees to access CGHS facilities without geographical limitations. This new directive allows serving employees situated outside of CGHS coverage areas to participate in the scheme, provided they fulfill all other eligibility criteria and pay the necessary contributions.

Several September holidays will cause regional bank branch closures. Many essential banking tasks still require a physical visit to the branch. Banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, in addition to Sundays and designated regional or national holidays.

For the assessment year 2026-2027, the deadline for income tax audits is set for September 30, 2026. Businesses utilizing presumptive taxation schemes should be aware that they may still need to undergo income tax audits, depending on their turnover. Significant updates to Form 3CD's reporting requirements have been implemented for this assessment year, which include new clauses concerning presumptive taxation, MSME payments, settlement expenditures, and share buybacks.

Don't be fooled by the flashy credit card rewards that might not deliver true value. Learn how to accurately assess your card's worth beyond its enticing rates. Discover the importance of examining annual fees, optimizing the perks you genuinely utilize, and avoiding extra expenses solely for rewards.

The Nurses Welfare Association engaged with the 8th Pay Commission officials to present crucial demands. They aim for an increase in starting salaries and better compensation for night shifts. Furthermore, the association is pushing for expanded insurance benefits and additional hardship allowances. A significant ask is the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme for nurses, alongside a request for Chandigarh city's category elevation.

ICICI Bank has successfully migrated its website and net banking services to the new .bank.in domain. Customers are advised to modify their bookmarks to ensure they access the official banking site. Please note that iMobile app services will be temporarily down for several hours on September 19, 2026. Rest assured, customer IDs and passwords will remain unchanged, and a newly introduced CAPTCHA feature aims to bolster net banking security.

Select UPI merchant transactions will incur a Merchant Discount Rate. However, transactions under two thousand rupees will remain free for small traders. A fixed fee of five rupees will limit the MDR for certain sectors, applying to merchants rather than consumers. Importantly, most UPI payments will still be without charge for users.

The deadline for uploading tax audit reports is set for September 30, 2026, specifically targeting certain taxpayers. Chartered accountants will manage the upload of the tax audit report on the e-filing portal, after which taxpayers need to accept and e-verify the tax audit report.

The recent announcement to elevate the EPF wage ceiling represents a significant advantage for employees. By contributing more each month, individuals can amass a larger retirement fund over their careers.

Registration of Will is optional but at least two attesting witness in Will is mandatory; Know what the law says. This article explains it all.

SBI Mutual Fund, Indias largest asset manager by AUM, managed Rs 13.42 lakh crore as of August 2026.

These five small-cap stocks witnessed the highest net buying by mutual funds in August. Here is the detailed breakup, according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

The Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling has increased to Rs 25,000. This change will enable employees to receive higher retirement benefits and monthly pensions. Pension calculations now consider a higher pensionable salary and increased service years. Employees must contribute for five years at the new ceiling for maximum benefit. Eligibility for the Employees' Pension Scheme has also expanded for certain employees.

Mutual funds favoured mid-cap stocks in August, led by companies from the financial, healthcare, IT and consumer discretionary sectors. Paytm recorded the highest net buying, followed by Aster DM Healthcare, Meesho, Lenskart and Piramal Finance.

Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund made five fresh additions and completely exited five stocks from its portfolio in August, while keeping its exposure unchanged in 27 stocks. The fund had 32 stocks across 17 sectors, with healthcare accounting for the largest allocation. Heres a look at the stocks added and exited, sector allocation and the funds performance since inception.

Today saw a marked increase in gold prices among top Indian jewellery brands, spurred by a significant drop in global oil prices that changed market dynamics.

Defence sector funds have delivered strong returns in 2026, averaging nineteen percent year-to-date. HDFC Defence Fund led this category with a notable twenty-four point five one percent gain. Experts cite increased defence spending and government policies supporting domestic manufacturing. Investors should review their existing allocation and avoid chasing recent sharp rallies. A five percent allocation cap is suggested for most investors in this sector.

The upcoming ET Wealth Expo 2026 in Mumbai promises to be a pivotal event, uniting key figures in India's financial arena. This expo will delve into strategies for wealth creation, preservation, and effective generational transitions. Attendees can expect enlightening discussions, masterclasses, and exhibitions that will enhance their financial planning knowledge, as well as valuable networking opportunities within the dynamic landscape of wealth management in India.

Conservative hybrid mutual funds are the entry to the world of hybrid funds. These schemes invest mostly in debt and a small percent in equity. As per the Sebi norms, conservative hybrid schemes must invest 75-90% in debt instruments and 10-25% in stocks. These schemes are ideal for investors looking to invest a small part of their corpus in equity to earn some extra returns.

While giving shares to your parents who reside in your home country might appear as a thoughtful gesture, it has substantial tax considerations for NRIs. Although the gift itself isnt taxable, comprehending the nuances of acquisition costs and the period theyve been held is vital.