The Economic Times

In August 2026, the Labour Bureau revealed a rise in the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. This uptick translates into an estimated Dearness Allowance of 65%, signaling a welcome increase for many employees. As the central government regularly adjusts DA based on this data, employees may soon enjoy significant salary enhancements, with official announcements typically coinciding with festive periods.

Mr Kumar, a medicine shop owner had deposited Rs 2.47 crore cash in his bank account during demonetisation period, he got an unexplained cash income tax notice. After a long legal fight he won the case in ITAT Delhi. This article explains how.

Market cycles can quickly change the fortunes of sectors and businesses. As earnings, valuations and leadership shift, investors must reassess opportunities and identify the next market winners.

The Indian stock market saw further declines as the Sensex dipped nearly 49 points while the Nifty sank around 96 points by session's end. Rising bond yields spooked investors, dampening market sentiment. Yet, the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 managed to rise by 0.3%, showcasing a surprising resilience in the broader market despite the downturn in leading indices.

Marcellus Investment Managers has officially gained SEBI's green light to launch its mutual fund operations in India. This move opens up opportunities for the company to share its robust investment strategies with a wider market. The fund aspires to direct household savings toward reputable companies known for their governance. Saurabh Mukherjea highlighted the importance of transparency and making investments accessible to all, continuing the firms well-regarded research-driven philosophy.

TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund delivered the highest SIP return among smallcap funds over the past two years, followed by Bank of India Small Cap Fund and Union Small Cap Fund. The category average stood at 14.25%, while the benchmark returned 9.78%.

A recent case involving Star Health and Allied Insurance highlights the complexities of health insurance policies with disease-specific sub-limits. After a renewal and an increased sum insured, a claim for cerebrovascular accident treatment faced limitations due to alleged sub-limits. The consumer commission found deficiencies in service, raising important questions about transparency and policy terms in health insurance contracts.

MRPL shares fell over 5% after an explosion was reported at its Mangaluru refinery, with thick smoke seen emerging from the facility. Fire brigades and ambulances rushed to the site, while the cause remained unknown.

Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB): In a recent announcement, the Reserve Bank of India disclosed the premature redemption dates for Sovereign Gold Bonds, spanning from October 2026 to March 2027. Investors should be aware of the allocated timeframes for submitting their redemption applications.

If your monthly expenses are Rs 1 lakh, you would need a retirement corpus of about Rs 2.16 crore, assuming an annual return of 10%, inflation of 6% and a life expectancy of 90 years.

Gold rate: On September 30, 2026, gold prices saw another uptick at major Indian jewellers according to updates from IBJA. Meanwhile, other jewellers like Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Kalyan Jewellers set their rates at Rs 13,710 per gram, reflecting ongoing market volatility.

Ernakulam, Kerala: Husband faced challenges and long delay in accessing late wifes savings bank account as nominee died; Consumer commission orders bank to pay Rs 10,000 compensation for delay

A 37-year-old investor with an annual income of Rs 14 lakh aims to achieve a Rs 10 crore corpus. He currently invests Rs 50,000 monthly through mutual fund SIPs and plans a 10% annual increase. The investor's portfolio comprises several funds, but adjustments are recommended to optimize asset allocation. Financial expert Chirag Muni suggests increasing large-cap exposure and capping fund allocation to enhance diversification.

Nifty enters the October series after a 6.7% fall in the September series, its worst in 25 years. Foreign investors sold Rs 25,662 crore of Indian equities, while bearish futures positions increased. The index is also testing its 200-week moving average, making 22,600 a key technical level for investors.

Brother-in-law caught with Rs 4.34 lakh foreign currency; tax officer sent notice; Brother wins case in ITAT Delhi as sister-in-law said its her cash which she needed for work travel so kept in brothers house for safe keeping.

Bank of America Securities has revised its forecast for the Reserve Bank of Indias interest rate hikes. It now anticipates a total increase of 100 basis points by mid-2027. The first hike is expected during the monetary policy meeting in October. Economic growth remains strong, while inflation risks are increasing, prompting the RBI to adjust its monetary policy.

When it comes to Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) fixed deposits, understanding their distinct tax implications is crucial. NRE deposits provide tax-free interest earnings in India, making them advantageous for NRIs. On the other hand, interest from NRO fixed deposits incurs TDS.

Power Mech Projects shares gained after securing a Rs 549.37-crore O&M order from Moxie Power Generation for its 2x600 MW Tuticorin thermal power plant, with the contract spanning five years.

Central government employees are eagerly anticipating the 8th Pay Commission's report, which is expected to be submitted by November 2025. Any delays may result in considerable financial setbacks for them, as salary revisions will take effect from January 1, 2026. It's important to note that employees will only receive arrears on their basic salary and not on their allowances.

Representatives of central government workers are demanding that the Productivity-Linked Bonus ceiling be lifted, asserting that the present threshold of Rs 7,000 is insufficient in light of increasing living expenses. Various groups are urging for a new ceiling of Rs 21,000 to be used for calculating bonuses. The government is expected to reveal its decisions on bonus allocations in early October, with protests anticipated over the current calculation approach.

Mr Rajinder Singh booked a flat in Gurgaon and was promised possession within three years. After a decade of waiting, he sought legal action against the builder for non-delivery. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the builder to refund the amount paid along with interest. Additionally, compensation for mental distress and litigation costs was granted to Mr Singh.

International ETFs are currently gaining attention for their sharp price volatility and high premiums over NAV. The steep premiums have arisen because regulatory limits prevent fund houses from meeting investor demand for overseas investments. This situation has led to substantial fluctuations in market prices, with some ETFs seeing unusual premiums. Investors are advised to examine both the ETF's market price and its NAV before making purchases.

Competition Commission of India approved BNP Paribas Cardif's proposal to acquire a 26% stake in IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd. The stake will be purchased from private equity company Warburg Pincus. The insurance firm said step in its international growth and diversification strategy and strengthens its presence in India. In a separate deal, CCI authorised Crystal Crop Protection Ltd to acquire FMC India Pvt Ltd.

The Jammu and Kashmir government is offering eligible employees a rare chance to transition from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This opportunity is available to those appointed to specific roles prior to December 2009, provided they joined on or after January 2010, with applications accepted until December 2026. To apply, employees must submit requests to a Drawing and Disbursing Officer.

Cupid shares jumped 10% to Rs 291 after the companys inclusion in the Nifty Smallcap 250 index, effective September 30. The stock has surged 250% in six months, while strong June-quarter growth and raised FY27 guidance strengthen its growth outlook.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered over 19% annualized returns over three years, led by ITI Small Cap and Bandhan Small Cap. Investors should consider risk appetite, investment horizon and financial goals rather than chasing past performance.

LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management has appointed Ashis Kumar as Managing Director and CEO, effective September 26. Kumar brings over three decades of experience across investments, operations, distribution and marketing, having previously served as COO and held senior leadership roles at LIC.

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund is launching the MSIF Equity Long-Short Fund, a Specialized Investment Fund using equity investments and selective derivative-based short positions. The NFO opens September 30 and closes October 14. The strategy targets long-term capital appreciation through macro and fundamental research, disciplined risk management and opportunities across varying market cycles.

Several mutual funds delivered over 30% returns in the last six months while maintaining relatively low expense ratios. Bank of India Small Cap Fund led with 41.32%, followed by Motilal Oswal funds, Edelweiss Recently Listed IPO Fund and others.

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 22.96 crore in nearly 31 years. The fund has delivered a CAGR of 18.37% since inception and outperformed the NIFTY 500 Index (TRI) in 21 of 31 calendar years.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD and CEO Radhika Gupta believes trust is central to navigating weak market fundamentals, global economic realignment and AI-led disruption. Drawing on The Entropy Trap, she highlights how understanding shifts in the global system is key to understanding Indias growth story, with trust playing a crucial role in attracting capital, strengthening customer relationships and sustaining pricing power.