The Economic Times

On October 8, 2026, the Central Board of Direct Taxes introduced a revised Form 161 for taxpayers. This new form allows eligible individuals to apply for a waiver of penalty related to misreported income. Taxpayers must meet specific statutory conditions when applying for this relief through the amended form. The application process requires timely tax payments and cannot involve pending appeals.

Starting October 11, 2026, Shriram Finance Limited is set to increase interest rates on fixed deposits, enhancing returns for all depositors regardless of tenure. Senior citizens and women will benefit from even higher rates, and those renewing matured deposits can expect additional interest perks. Investors should carefully review the terms and conditions prior to making investments in fixed deposits.

Axis Mutual Fund has entered the specialised investment fund category with Accelerate SIF, focusing on risk-adjusted returns and disciplined portfolio management. Nandik Mallik will lead the initiative, with equity and hybrid product launches planned soon.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund added 13 stocks to its portfolio in September, including DLF, Bharti Airtel, Petronet LNG and Indus Towers, while exiting The Great Eastern Shipping Company. The fund held 33 stocks during the month, compared with 34 in August, and did not reduce its exposure to any stock. Its assets under management stood at Rs 1.45 lakh crore, with 9.77% held in cash, debt, money market instruments and arbitrage positions.

Senior citizens often invest in Senior Citizens Savings Scheme and SBI fixed deposits for income. SCSS offers an 8.2% interest per annum with quarterly payouts, beneficial for regular cash flow. In contrast, SBI's senior citizen fixed deposit provides a lower rate of 7.05% with less frequent interest payouts. An investment of Rs 7 lakh in SCSS yields higher returns compared to the SBI fixed deposit.

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming how we analyze data and derive investment insights, yet human judgment plays an irreplaceable role in decision-making processes. Experts caution that merely processing data doesnt assure favorable investment results. Investors should evaluate which insights resonate with their financial goals and risk levels. Financial advisors must embrace technology while safeguarding skills in communication and accountability, particularly during market fluc

A teacher was approved for working till 62 years age however, she was denied gratuity payment on the ground that the retirement age was 60 so she should have exercised the gratuity option at 60 and not 62 years age.

Gold rates today: Gold rates increased today for 22k gold jewellery across major brands such as Tanishq and Malabar Gold.

Ramesh Nair, MD and CEO of Mindspace REIT, explains how investors should approach REITs as part of a diversified portfolio. He discusses the importance of looking beyond distribution yields and assessing total returns, occupancy, growth prospects, balance-sheet strength and interest-rate risks. Nair also weighs the impact of AI on office demand and outlines the potential for Indias REIT market to expand.

Navigating the KYC process for NRIs investing in India can be complex, requiring specific documents and verification steps. From ensuring document accuracy to understanding attestation requirements, several factors can impact the smooth completion of KYC. Explore the essential documentation and common pitfalls faced by NRIs in their investment journey.

The 35% mandatory investments in mid cap stocks make them risky. However, they are less risky than pure mid cap schemes that invest around 65% in mid cap stocks. Also, the 35% investments in large cap investments offer them some stability. But they are riskier than pure large cap schemes. Then there is the question of the remaining 30% of the corpus.

Three Nifty 500 stocks, including Diamond Power Infrastructure, Sky Gold, and Anand Rathi Wealth, closed above their volume weighted average prices (VWAP) on October 8, according to StockEdge technical data. Closing above VWAP signals strong intraday buying interest as final traded prices exceeded the weighted average execution levels.

Domestic investment banks experienced significant success in achieving equity fundraising in HY27. JM Financial, ICICI Securities, and SBI Capital Markets led the transactions during this period. A total of 116 IPOs and QIPs were conducted, a notable increase from the prior year. The equity amount raised rose by 40%, reaching nearly Rs 1.7 lakh crore. This surge in activity reflects a healthy trend in the domestic investment banking sector.

GQG Partners has recently executed a block deal, offloading ITC shares worth approximately 9,395 crore. The firm has also downplayed its presence in several Adani Group enterprises this year, while simultaneously ramping up investments in JSW Energy and JSW Steel during the June quarter. In total, GQG has scaled back investments worth around 24,400 crore across various Indian firms since early 2026, continuing to oversee assets exceeding $156 billion.

Now GST input tax credit to emoyers on group insurance; this can mean more life and health insurance coverage for employees; Know how it helps. The reason for this is now employer's cost of buying insurance for its employees can reduce by claiming ITC.

Quant Mutual Funds Sandeep Tandon says the next investment edge will come from combining human judgment with AI, machine learning and alternative data. As markets become more dynamic, investors must move beyond static strategies and focus on speed, inference and decision-making.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD Radhika Gupta says Specialised Investment Funds are gaining traction, offering flexible strategies beyond traditional mutual funds. With SIF assets reaching Rs 38,000 crore, she urges investors to focus on strategy, risks, taxation and portfolio purpose before investing.

Tata Asset Management MD Anand Vardarajan says investors should combine active and passive strategies rather than treat them as rivals. He recommends layered portfolios using passive exposure, active alpha-seeking funds, multi-asset diversification and higher-risk strategies amid changing rates and valuations.

From stuck credit card closure requests to lost property papers, RBI rules require banks to pay you for every day they're late. A customer earlier this year won Rs 3.21 lakh for a delayed credit card closure. Here are 5 situations where the clock ticks in your favour, with compensation ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000 a day.

The Reserve Bank of India has increased the repo rate from 5.25% to 5.50% during its recent meeting. This hike is expected to encourage banks to raise their fixed deposit interest rates soon. Customers could earn considerably more on their fixed deposits with even small increases in interest rates. Detailed calculations show potential increases in maturity amounts for varying deposit sizes.

TCS Q2 Results: IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday reported 15% year-on-year (YoY) growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 13,884 crore for the second quarter.

Citis India investment banking revenue nearly doubled to $52 million, making it the countrys top-ranked investment bank. The lender helped Indian companies raise nearly $16 billion and advised on $36 billion of M&A, driven by overseas expansion and technology-sector activity.

Wife refused to return to matrimonial home after Raksha Bandhan, sought maintenance citing husbands Rs 1.5 lakh salary; Allahabad HC rejects her plea for living separately without sufficient cause and earning capability

The Delhi High Court recently upheld an eviction ruling that affects a daughter-in-law, amidst a nuanced legal struggle that weighs the interests of elderly individuals against those of women. This decision highlights key aspects of the Senior Citizens Act, sparking discussions on family rights, issues surrounding non-maintenance, and instances of mistreatment within housing conflicts.

In India, commodities are steadily gaining traction as a crucial component of investment strategies. As investors diversify beyond conventional assets, they are discovering opportunities in gold, copper, and energy markets. Innovative financial products make it easy to engage in these commodities without the need for physical possession. Success demands a strong grasp of specific commodities and diligence in choosing regulated trading platforms.

The ET Wealth Expo 2026 introduces a comprehensive six-stage framework for optimal wealth creation and management. It covers vital areas like earning, building, protecting, growing, retiring, and transferring wealth through various engaging sessions. Participants will delve into innovative income streams, investment opportunities, and strategies for financial protection, alongside retirement planning. The expo also emphasizes effective legacy transfer techniques and maintaining continuity in wea

Many investors fret over mutual fund SIP returns, yet a shift in focus to economic fundamentals is essential. Prashant Jain pointed out that while markets may stagnate, economic growth continues. For long-term investors, a flat market could prove beneficial through systematic investments. Previous years of low equity returns shouldn't prompt a dash towards alternatives; rather, maintaining an eye on Indias economic growth bolsters the argument for equity investment.

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission has begun discussions regarding the salary, allowances, and pension of central government employees. Their meetings in Bengaluru will address various aspects of employee compensation, including work conditions. Once the Commission finalizes its report, salary revisions will be implemented for affected central government employees. The calculation of dearness allowance will also be based on the new salaries after revisions.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund has launched a sectoral debt fund focused on financial services, with relatively high interest rate risk and moderate credit risk. Experts say investors should weigh the funds sector concentration and limited track record against potential benefits from attractive yields, while considering diversified debt options for core allocations.