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The Indian government has clarified that installing the Sanchar Saathi app on smartphones is not mandatory, reversing an earlier proposal to pre-install it. This decision follows public feedback, aiming to provide citizens with a cybersecurity tool while respecting user choice. The app, designed to combat digital fraud and protect against cyber threats, will remain available voluntarily.

Discover how the amended labour codes from November 21, 2025 are reshaping gratuity calculations with the new 50% wage rule and one-year eligibility for contractual employees.

Groww Mutual Fund has introduced two passive offeringsGroww Nifty Metal ETF and Groww Multi Asset Omni FOF. The NFOs, open till December 17, aim to provide investors targeted exposure to metals and diversified multi-asset allocations. Both funds reopen for continuous trading on January 1, 2026.

The announcement of the 8th Pay Commission by the central government in November 2025 has sparked eager discussions among employees and pensioners who are keenly waiting for the outcomes and the necessary governmental endorsement. Experts predict that the implementation could stretch over one to two years, following a pattern seen with earlier commissions.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank now offers a compelling 8% interest rate on 5-year fixed deposits, a market-leading return for both regular and senior citizens. Competitive rates are available across various tenures, with all deposits insured up to Rs 5 lakh by DICGC, providing significant security for investors.

Kotak Mutual Fund in its Market Outlook 2026, offered a comprehensive view of the macroeconomic environment and shared four key investment themes that are expected to shape Indias financial markets in the coming year.

An expert explains why taxpayers with long-term and short-term equity mutual fund gains may not be able to use Section 87A to reduce their 202526 tax liability.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has eased National Pension System onboarding for Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India. New rules permit digital onboarding from outside India. This eliminates the need for physical presence in India for Know Your Customer processes. Existing subscribers can also complete KYC updates remotely.

Virendra Singh aims for a Rs 3 crore corpus in 20 years. His current Rs 9,500 monthly SIP with annual increases will not suffice. Experts advise doubling his SIP or extending his investment horizon. A simplified portfolio with a small-cap bias and gold ETFs can aid his long-term wealth creation. Discipline and consistent step-ups are key.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 48, based in Bengaluru, and was recently laid off from my IT job after 15 years due to restructuring. I will be receiving a severance package of Rs 60-70 lakh. How can I invest it wisely?

Choosing a life insurance policy requires careful evaluation of insurers. Key metrics such as persistency ratio, solvency ratio, and claim settlement ratio provide insights into financial stability and customer satisfaction. Before selecting a life insurance company, review six essential metrics that reveal its reliability and ability to deliver when it matters most, ensuring policyholder trust and satisfaction.

Many mutual fund investors, especially beginners, often feel unsure about which funds to pick and frequently look for a ready-made MF portfolio to meet their long-term goals.

Greater clarity is needed on the impact on EPF contributions of employees with basic monthly salaries of over Rs 15,000 and whether variable or performance-linked payouts will be included in CTC.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Bangalore has thoughtfully ruled that clerical oversights in income tax filings won't forfeit tax exemptions. In one case, a charitable trust's Section 11 exemption remained intact despite a missing registration detail. The tribunal emphasized that the tax department cannot use taxpayer errors against them.

Silver ETFs have surged over 100% in 2025, prompting investors to consider profit booking or continuing the rally. Experts suggest partial profit-taking if allocation exceeds targets, while long-term investors (5+ years) can remain invested. The metal's dual industrial and safe-haven appeal, coupled with supply deficits, drives its performance.

Taxpayers can now claim new tax regime benefits even if Form 10IC is filed late. The ITAT Mumbai ruled that technical errors or oversight should not deny these benefits. This decision follows a taxpayer's win against the income tax department. The tribunal emphasized that when audit reports are available, taxpayers should receive the benefits. This ruling offers relief to many.

Mutual fund advisors suggest large cap schemes for conservative investors. These funds invest in top 100 companies, offering relative safety in volatile markets. While some large cap schemes have struggled recently, they can still provide inflation-beating returns. Investors can consider specific recommended funds for long-term goals with a five to seven-year horizon. Performance updates are provided monthly.

Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming with so many options available. This guide breaks down India's three most popular retirement schemes i.e. EPF, PPF, and NPS, and helps you understand which one (or combination) best suits your financial goals, risk appetite, and life stage.

Many retail investors are pouring money into sectoral and thematic mutual funds, chasing past returns and new themes. These focused funds carry significant risks due to their concentrated nature. Investors often enter these funds late, near market peaks, leading to losses when sectors underperform.

Bank of Maharashtra's offer for sale saw robust investor demand on its opening day, with bids exceeding 400% of the base issue size. The government will now exercise its green-shoe option, expanding the total stake on offer to 6% after the strong response from non-retail investors.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has introduced new investment choices for National Pension System and Unified Pension Scheme subscribers. Two new auto choice options are now available for central government employees. These additions increase the total investment choices to six. Subscribers can now select from a wider range of investment strategies to manage their retirement funds.

The 8th Pay Commission will indeed recommend pension revisions for central government employees, the Finance Ministry confirmed. However, the government has no current plans to merge dearness allowance with basic pay. The Terms of Reference for the 8th Pay Commission were officially notified on November 3, 2025.

Insurance firms cut their holdings in several NSE largecap stocks from June to September 25, signalling cautious sentiment or portfolio rebalancing. Key companies with reduced insurance shareholding include BPCL, Eicher Motors, TVS Motor, Vedanta, Apollo Hospitals, Grasim, M&M, L&T, Bank of Baroda, and Info Edge.

Mirae Asset has launched the BSE 500 Dividend Leaders 50 ETF and Nifty Top 20 Equal Weight ETF, offering investors access to consistent dividend payers and equal-weight exposure to Indias top 20 companies. Both NFOs close on December 10 and reopen on December 16.

A Ventura report highlights five SIP lessons: stay invested until goals are met, every instalment adds up, use volatility to your advantage, theres no bad time to invest, and market declines are temporary.

Employee groups are pushing for an increase in the mandatory EPF contribution ceiling from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that any revision requires extensive stakeholder consultations due to its impact on employee take-home pay and employer hiring costs.

Top five smallcap mutual funds delivered up to 31% CAGR over three years, with Bandhan, ITI, Invesco India, Quant and Nippon India Small Cap Funds topping the category.

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan's company, HRX Digitech LLP, has purchased four commercial units in Andheri West, Mumbai, for Rs 10.90 crore. Andheri West is one of Mumbai's most sought-after commercial destinations, offering good connectivity via the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and proximity to both the railway and metro networks.

Sunil Singhanias Abakkus Mutual Fund has launched its first equity NFO, Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund, an open-ended equity scheme that will invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks.

A report by Ventura Securities highlights top tax-saving options with a three-year horizon. ELSS funds like Motilal Oswal and SBI ELSS delivered strong CAGRs of 24.6% and 23.4%, respectively. NPS schemes from HDFC and ICICI Prudential offered three-year CAGRs ranging from 16% to 23.4%. ELSS provides tax benefits under Section 80C with a three-year lock-in, while NPS supports long-term retirement planning with additional tax advantages.

Union Mutual Fund has launched the Union Consumption Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focused on companies in consumption, consumption-related, and allied sectors. The scheme aims to generate long-term capital appreciation by leveraging structural shifts in consumer behavior and spending patterns. The NFO is open until December 15 and will reopen for continuous subscription within five business days of allotment.

EPS 95 pension: Employees' Pension Scheme subscribers seek higher pension limits. Minister Shobha Karandlaje stated in Lok Sabha that an actuarial deficit exists in the EPS fund as of March 31, 2019. This valuation indicates no immediate prospect of increasing the minimum EPS-95 pension amount.

Securing a personal loan in 2025 involves meeting eligibility criteria, including a CIBIL score of 750+, and clearing existing debts to strengthen your financial profile. Borrowing the right amount, considering a co-applicant, or seeking professional advice can further enhance your chances of approval for urgent expenses or long-term goals.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation will not grant further extensions for Aadhaar-UAN linking. Employers in the North East Region, Beedi-making, building and construction, and plantation industries must complete this by October 31, 2025. Failure to do so will prevent ECR filing for November 2025 wages onwards. Offices are conducting awareness drives.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Delhi has made waves with its recent ruling. Taxpayers can now benefit from capital gains tax exemptions when they sell Indian property to invest in international real estate, as long as the overseas investment was completed before the 2015-16 Assessment Year. This decision, which reversed denied claims for Mr.

Quant Mutual Fund increased exposure to select private banks and remains positive on NBFCs, infrastructure, insurance, consumption, and telecom. The fund anticipates a broader market rally, citing easing liquidity, tax and GST reforms, corporate earnings recovery, and potential USDINR reversal, while highlighting seasonal momentum and global Fed rate expectations shaping equity performance.

Wockhardt Ltd shares jumped over 4% to 1,533, extending a two-day rally after surging nearly 20% on Tuesday. The rise follows the US FDAs acceptance of its New Drug Application for Zaynich, a first-in-class antibiotic, marking the first NDA approval for a New Chemical Entity by an Indian pharma company.

Mr. Nilawar has emerged victorious against the tax department's attempt to seize his family's gold collection. The Mumbai Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled that the jewellery rightfully belonged to him, recognizing it as part of long-standing family customs.

Global fund managers are steadily returning to China as strong market gains, attractive valuations and rising inflows bolster confidence despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

Equity mutual funds saw gains up to 11% in November, with sectoral and thematic funds leading the pack. ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF topped returns at 11.48%. Experts advise caution with these volatile funds, recommending diversified equity for core portfolios and small satellite allocations for thematic plays.

ETMutualFunds offers a curated list of ten top mutual fund schemes. These selections span aggressive hybrid, large cap, mid cap, small cap, and flexi cap categories. The aim is to assist regular mutual fund investors in making informed decisions. Investors should consider their personal investment objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon before choosing a scheme.