The Economic Times

From October 1, 2026, all domestic LPG consumers will need to undergo Biometric Aadhaar Authentication to access subsidies. This process is designed to ensure that subsidies are provided solely to qualifying households. Authentication can be done through delivery personnel, distributor outlets, or mobile apps provided by oil marketing firms.

As of September 17, 2026, the EPF wage ceiling is set to increase from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. This adjustment does not affect employees whose earnings exceed Rs 25,000. Those earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 will experience negligible changes to their contributions. Notably, EPS contributions will rise for employees hired prior to September 2014. Employers are responsible for managing increased contributions while keeping their salary structures intact.

Attesting brothers sale deed has major legal consequences in proving oral partition of ancestral land; How children lost 3.5 acre land dispute case in Madras HC because of this. Read this article to know more.

Mutual fund SIP AUM rose 23% YoY to Rs 18.62 lakh crore in August 2026, while SIP flows as a share of gross equity flows hit a two-year high of 43%. Aggregate SIP flows for the 12 months ended August grew 17% YoY to Rs 3.7 lakh crore, the Franklin Templeton report said.

The IRDAI has proposed transformative reforms to enhance insurance distribution in India, focusing on affordability and transparency. Key changes include limits on insurer expenses, greater disclosure of commissions, and measures to reduce mis-selling. While these reforms aim to empower consumers, concerns about the impact on market competition and the viability of low-premium policies remain.

Gold prices dropped across major jewellery brands in India. Tanishq's price for 22k gold jewellery fell to Rs 14,040 per gram in various cities. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas offered 22k gold at Rs 13,995 per gram in their showrooms. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association reported a decline in gold and silver rates as well.

Gold continues to strengthen despite higher US real yields and a Federal Reserve rate hike, with central-bank buying, inflation risks and energy uncertainty supporting demand for the precious metal.

The central government is taking steps to ensure that employees and pensioners are not affected by the upcoming nationwide bank strike. Salaries and pensions for September 2026 will be disbursed early on September 25. The Department of Expenditure has mandated relevant offices to submit drawals promptly to facilitate this. Any necessary adjustments from the advance payments will be reflected in October's payroll.

Can children from a void second marriage claim fathers property? Know their inheritance rights under Hindu law. HC says Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act, can mean that a child born from a second marriage which was proved as void can still inherit the fathers property.

Homebuyer wins as MahaRERA orders builder to pay stamp duty and registration charges and also Rs 5.4 lakh interest to homebuyer. Read this article to know why the homebuyer won the case in MahaRERA real estate tribunal.

Even a minor upward movement in interest rates could make these schemes extremely risky and volatile. In simple terms, investors might lose money in such a scenario. That explains why advisors do not speak about these schemes often. Needless to say investors should be extremely cautious about these schemes in the current scenario.

SBI Card has introduced the Advantage SBI Card through the SBI YONO app, making it simpler than ever for customers to apply. This innovative offering features four variants of secured credit cards linked to fixed deposits. With a fully paperless application process, it's designed to enhance accessibility, particularly for those with limited credit histories seeking a means to build financial profiles.

With small-cap valuations turning more reasonable and earnings growth improving, Pratik Dharmshi, Fund Manager Equity at Union AMC, remains constructive on the segment. He recommends focusing on quality businesses with sustainable earnings potential, avoiding the chase for recent outperformers, and maintaining a 5-7 year investment horizon while staying mindful of liquidity and volatility risks.

Motilal Oswal Nasdaq Q50 ETF faced a sharp decline of nearly 49% in just three trading sessions. This drop followed a dramatic price surge that raised concerns about valuation and investor behavior. Several other international ETFs are also trading well above their net asset values, creating a potential risk for investors. Limited supply of ETFs relative to demand has further intensified these trading conditions.

From October 1, 2026, Indian property buyers can buy properties from non-residents without getting a TAN. Instead a new system has been launched by the Finance Ministry under which the buyer needs to file Form 141 and fill Schedule E and then issue the TDS certificate in Form 132 to the non-resident. Earlier this system was very complicated, now it has been made comparatively easier.

In a proactive measure, the Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for banks to remain open on Sunday, September 27, 2026. This strategic decision aims to support customers anticipating a three-day strike from September 28 through September 30, organized by the United Forum of Bank Unions. Although it remains unclear if banks will operate on Saturday, customers can secure essential services on September 27.

8th Pay Commission news: AIDEF has put forth demands regarding family units and pay calculations for the 8th Pay Commission. They request a minimum salary of Rs 69,000 and a higher fitment factor. The federation seeks to restore the Old Pension Scheme and change the commuted pension duration to 11 years. Additionally, they want amendments for pension-related issues covering pensioners before 2026.

Rs 30 lakh income tax demand notice and India-US DTAA benefit denied to US citizen; she fights and wins case in ITAT Delhi; Know how

The wage ceiling for the Employees Provident Fund has officially increased to Rs 25,000, effective September 17, 2026. This much-needed revision is the first change in wage limits since 2014 and directly impacts mandatory EPF contributions for employees in the organized sector. Those earning up to the new wage ceiling can expect elevated contributions, which will aid in bolstering their retirement plans.

A Will plays a crucial role in outlining how assets will be allocated following an individual's death, which can lead to family disputes if disagreements arise about the testator's intentions. To facilitate property transfers, it is wise to gather important documents such as a no-objection affidavit and release deed. Keeping mutation records up to date and securing an encumbrance certificate is vital for tax purposes.

If someone is found running a homestay or Airbnb-like service in your society, what can you do? Legally, the societys first step should be a written notice to the owner, pointing to the specific byelaw being broken and backed by evidence. If the owner still doesn't stop, the RWA's real recourse is a civil suit for an injunction.

Lets have a look at the latest 22k gold rates at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the updated indicative rates of 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold and 999-purity silver at the IBJA today.

Tata Mutual Fund has launched the Titanium Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund, a multi-asset strategy under its SIF framework. The market-neutral fund dynamically invests across equities, debt, commodities, and derivatives with a minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 lakh. The NFO closes on October 7.

An analysis by ETMutualFunds reveals that 12 equity mutual funds out of 218 schemes delivered over 70% absolute returns across both 3-year and 5-year horizons. Invesco India led with four schemes, followed by Motilal Oswal, while ITI Small Cap Fund posted the highest three-year returns.

In a significant move towards enhancing digital payments, NPCI BHIM Services Limited has introduced MyUPI, a conversational AI assistant seamlessly integrated within the BHIM Payments App.

Husband with Rs 45,000 salary started living in rented house because of wifes pressure to live separately from his parents; Madras HC says this is cruelty and upholds divorce. Justice P.T. Asha and Justice N. Mala of the Madras High Court heard this case.

A 40-year-old investor based in Pune is on a mission to retire by age 50 while providing for her two childrens education. With savings of Rs 1.68 crore from diverse investments, she plans to pay off her home loan by December 2026. Experts suggest she aim for a retirement fund between Rs 4-4.5 crore and adapt her investment strategy as her financial goals draw near.

Here's a list of top five mid cap mutual funds with the highest combined exposure to mid and small cap stocks in August 2026.

Gilt funds are not recommended to regular debt investors because they are risky and volatile. Gilt funds suffer the most when the rates go up. The bond prices and yields move in opposite directions. When the rates go up, bond prices come down. This drags down the NAVs of schemes.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enables convenient investment in mutual funds through instant payments and SIPs. Investors appreciate UPI for its ability to process transactions 24/7 and avoid manual input. Recently, a 0.02% merchant discount rate was introduced on certain UPI transactions, affecting one-time investments. However, SIPs under UPI AutoPay remain exempt from this fee, easing investor concerns.

Eligible Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) members can withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance for illness-related expenses after completing 12 months of EPF membership.