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The Economic Times

Personal Finance / The Economic Times

DA hike after August inflation data: Will dearness allowance rise to 65%? How it may impact salaries of Level 1-10 central government employees

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.

30 Sep 2026 6:15 pm
Medicine shop owner deposits Rs 2.47 crore cash in bank account, gets income tax notice for unexplained cash; wins case in ITAT Delhi for this reason

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.

30 Sep 2026 5:36 pm
Planning to invest in equity mutual funds for 3 years? Check these 7 funds with over 40% gains

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.

30 Sep 2026 5:12 pm
Sensex falls 49 points, Nifty ends below 22,650 as market continues to bleed. What lies ahead?

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.

30 Sep 2026 3:43 pm
Saurabh Mukherjea-led Marcellus Investment Managers gets Sebi nod to launch mutual fund business

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.

30 Sep 2026 3:32 pm
Planning to invest in smallcap mutual funds via SIP? Check 3 top performers and 3 laggards

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%.

30 Sep 2026 3:15 pm
Only 2 lakh was paid by Star Health against a claim of 4.28 lakh, citing a sub-limit clause: Heres why the policyholder won 2.28 lakh more

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.

30 Sep 2026 3:12 pm
MRPL shares tumble 5% after explosion at Mangaluru plant, thick smoke seen from refinery unit

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.

30 Sep 2026 2:41 pm
SGB premature redemption dates in October 2026: Check tranche-wise dates and request deadlines

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.

30 Sep 2026 2:40 pm
How can you generate regular income from your retirement corpus and make it last?

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.

30 Sep 2026 1:29 pm
Gold rate today (September 30, 2026): Check 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k gold jewellery prices from IBJA, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq

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.

30 Sep 2026 1:07 pm
Mother nominated son in her savings bank a/c, but both died, father faced long delay in getting funds; Consumer Commission orders Rs 10,000 compensation

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

30 Sep 2026 12:30 pm
Can a Rs 50,000 monthly SIP build a Rs 10 crore corpus in 23 years? Expert suggests portfolio changes

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.

30 Sep 2026 11:46 am
Festive crash ahead? Nifty bulls stare at 4 bearish signs as October series begins

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.

30 Sep 2026 11:41 am
Brother-in-law caught with Rs 4.34 lakh worth of foreign currency; income tax officer sends notice; he wins case in ITAT Delhi with help from sister-in-law

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.

30 Sep 2026 10:59 am
RBI may raise repo rate by 100 bps through H1 2027: BofA Securities

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.

30 Sep 2026 10:53 am
NRE vs NRO FD TDS rules: Tax rate for NRIs, PAN rules, DTAA benefit and repatriation limit

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.

30 Sep 2026 10:37 am
Power Mech Projects shares rise 4% after company secures Rs 549 crore order from Adani Group firm

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.

30 Sep 2026 10:37 am
8th Pay Commission arrear calculator: Why Level 7 employees may lose Rs 3.32 lakh due to 8th CPC report implementation delay

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.

30 Sep 2026 7:34 am
Central govt employees annual bonus: Can it be paid in first week of October? What experts say

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.

30 Sep 2026 7:32 am
Homebuyer paid Rs 1.73 crore for a flat in Gurgaon, builder delayed project and alleged that he booked unit for commercial gain; he fought and won the money back with 12% interest

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.

30 Sep 2026 7:11 am
Sharp swings, steep premiums put International ETFs in focus

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.

30 Sep 2026 6:57 am
Competition Commission okays BNP Paribas-IndiaFirst Life Insurance deal

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.

29 Sep 2026 9:15 pm
J&K Old Pension Scheme: These employees can switch from NPS to OPS

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.

29 Sep 2026 5:33 pm
Cupid shares end 10% higher ahead of Nifty Smallcap 250 inclusion tomorrow. How much inflows can it see?

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.

29 Sep 2026 4:48 pm
Bank of India Small Cap, ITI Small Cap among 5 smallcap mutual funds delivering over 24% annualised returns in 3 years

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.

29 Sep 2026 4:04 pm
LIC Mutual Fund announces appointment of Ashis Kumar as Managing Director and CEO

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.

29 Sep 2026 4:00 pm
NFO Alert: Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund debuts in SIF segment with MSIF Equity Long-Short Fund

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.

29 Sep 2026 3:58 pm
Looking for low cost and high return funds in 6 months? HDFC Defence Fund among top 8

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.

29 Sep 2026 3:41 pm
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund turns Rs 10,000 SIP into Rs 23 crore in 31 years, AUM crosses Rs 1 lakh crore

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.

29 Sep 2026 2:28 pm
Can markets rally despite weak fundamentals? Radhika Gupta says trust remains crucial

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.

29 Sep 2026 2:05 pm