Livemint
Elections 2026Business / Livemint
Out of 45 flexi-cap schemes, only six recorded a Sortino ratio above 1, indicating stronger downside risk-adjusted performance. A Sortino ratio above 1 means the fund generated higher excess returns for every unit of downside risk faced.
The 2026 ITR season has exposed major tax reporting gaps among crypto investors, with many mistaking TDS for their final tax liability. Investors who missed the deadline can still file a belated return, report income in Schedule VDA, and claim eligible TDS refunds.
Many ELSS investors assume they can redeem their entire investment once the first SIP completes three years. However, each SIP instalment has its own three-year lock-in, resulting in staggered redemptions. The lock-in cannot be bypassed by paying an exit load.
Freelancers must file their ITR by 31 August if they are not required to get their accounts audited. The choice of ITR form, tax method and deductions depends on their income structure. Proper documentation and reconciliation of receipts and foreign income are essential for accurate filing.
Building a sizeable retirement corpus of 10 crore demands a structured investment strategy, consistent contributions and favourable market returns
Indian equities have lagged global markets due to AI-led capital flows, valuation pressures and global uncertainties. However, strong domestic demand, policy continuity, infrastructure growth and healthy fundamentals continue to support India's long-term outlook.
Consumers are becoming more value-conscious. Many are delaying upgrades, choosing previous-generation or refurbished phones, repairing existing devices, or using exchange offers
This assumes significant for India's $60-billion pharmaceutical market, as the government aims to clean up the approval system and ensure drug safety and quality.
A consumer commission held a bank liable for failing to act on suspicious transactions after a woman lost nearly 6.93 lakh in a FedEx parcel scam. Despite OTP-authorised transfers, the bank was ordered to refund the amount along with interest and compensation.
Choosing a nominee for accounts or policies is crucial, but they only act as custodians until legal heirs receive assets. Final ownership is governed by wills and succession laws, not solely by the nominee. Here's what matters.
Salaried employees in India contribute to EPF, receiving matching employer contributions. Tax benefits apply, but a new rule restricts tax exemption on interest for total contributions over a certain threshold. Check rules here.
Buying or selling property in India involves more than finding the right deal. From FEMA and TDS to repatriation limits and POA rules, experts explain the compliance pitfalls NRIs must avoid.
Legal experts attributed the decline in compliance to a combination of dormant and inactive companies, financial stress and rising compliance challenges, particularly for smaller businesses.
AY 2026-7 deadlines: To ensure timely payment before last date, here's a taxpayer's guide with key dates. Learn more about penalties associated with late filing.
The EPFO has introduced a free doorstep life certificate service for EPS pensioners through India Post. Eligible pensioners unable to visit centres can call 033-22029000 for assistance. The facility helps ensure timely pension payments through easy digital certificate submission from home.
Five small-cap mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of more than 20% over the past decade, highlighting the category's long-term wealth-creation potential. A comparison of three-, five- and 10-year returns also shows how leadership has evolved across different market cycles.
Rising consumer demand for healthier foods, stricter enforcement and misleading claims are forcing companies to rethink packaging as the FSSAI steps up scrutiny.
Vehicle-to-vehicle systems allow vehicles to exchange information on speed, position, direction and acceleration in real time, preventing collisions. What does the Centre's mandate on the system mean for the future of mobility in India?
An EPFO officers' association has written to the Labour Minister highlighting delays in PF claim settlements, shortage of IT staff and manpower gaps. The body has also sought reforms in the pension system, CITES implementation and leadership structure within the retirement fund organisation.
The Delhi High Court asked the Centre to respond to a PIL that is seeking automatic TDS refunds for individuals with no tax liabilities, challenging the requirement to file ITR for refunds. Full details of the demand here.
The Centre has clarified that central government employees cannot claim HRA if one spouse is allotted government accommodation at the same station. It also confirmed there is no proposal to review the existing House Rent Allowance policy for dualemployee couples.
Young people often struggle with how to allocate salary between SIPs and emergency funds. Expert advises prioritizing a strong financial foundation, making informed investment choices, and maintaining discipline for long-term wealth.
Many investors unknowingly hold investments that no longer create value or align with their financial goals. Experts explain how to identify these dead investments and decide whether they deserve a place in your portfolio.
The 8th Pay Commission consultations are entering a crucial phase, with NC-JCMs retirement benefit demands, including higher gratuity, pension parity and OPS restoration, expected to shape discussions on employee welfare, retirement security and future government pension reforms.
Loan approval may vary despite two applicants having similar salaries and living in same cities. Here's a list of factors that may determine your loan interest rates, amount or even approval.
Family audiences are returning to cinemasbut only for films that feel worth the outing. Industry experts say strong content, event films and premium experiences are driving the revival.
PVR INOX launched a new format designed to deliver an affordable yet premium movie-viewing experience in Tier III cities across India. The first Smart Cinemas will be unveiled in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Probate is no longer mandatory in India after the 2025 legal amendment, but it can still help validate a will and reduce inheritance disputes. Here's what probate means, how it differs from a succession certificate, and what happens if a person dies without a will.
Even after missing the July 31 ITR deadline, taxpayers can file a belated return to seek refunds. However, it comes with additional costs and consequences. Check here.
Gold and silver prices today, 6 August: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
The RBI Governor said it is too early to decide whether UPI transactions will attract Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), even as the proposed Payment and Settlement Systems (Amendment) Bill has revived the debate.
The Income Tax Department is using data analytics, verification checks and SAKSHAM NUDGE campaigns to identify fake deduction claims. Over 1.25 crore updated ITRs have been filed, generating 9,493 crore additional tax payments during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
The June CPI-IW data has completed the calculation for the July 2026 Dearness Allowance revision under the 7th Pay Commission. Here's why the official inflation numbers point to a likely 3% hike and what it could mean for employees and pensioners.
PFRDA has extended the NPS same-day investment cut-off from 11 am to 1:30 pm, allowing more contributions to qualify for same-day investment. The revised deadline applies across all major NPS payment channels, improving flexibility, operational efficiency and the subscriber experience.
Travellers are swapping fly-to vacations for road trips and staycations, with hotel chains and villa operators reporting bookings ahead of last year despite the compressed holiday calendar.
Health insurance portability was designed to empower India's policyholders through choice and competition, but its real-world impact remains limited.
Top two-wheeler makers such as Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor are undertaking several measures, including integrating their EV businesses with core two-wheeler operations, creating dedicated leadership roles for high-growth segments and rolling out exclusive retail networks to boost sales.
REITs are often mistaken for fixed-income products due to their regular payouts, but they carry equity-like risks. Their returns depend on rental income, occupancy and property cycles, making them a diversification tool rather than a substitute for debt investments.
The Indian tax law does not provide any special exemption or relief for losses or gains arising solely due to depreciation of the Indian rupee against the foreign currency during the investment period.
UPI users may remain unaffected even if Merchant Discount Rate is introduced, according to Bernstein. The brokerage expects large merchants to bear a 30-40 bps fee, while small merchants and low-value transactions may remain exempt. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says it is too early to comment.
Draft quality-of-service rules would require operators to add capacity and remove overloaded cells from network slicing to protect service quality for all users.
The central bank reopens fresh approvals after a two-decade freeze, setting a 300-crore minimum net worth requirement while warning that licensing will remain highly selective.
RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said that as new threats and vulnerabilities emerge with developments in the IT sector, banks and regulated entities are continuously strengthening their security and resilience.
Interest rates on fixed deposits differ significantly among banks. Investors should consider factors such as bank reputation and financial goals when choosing deposit options with varying maturities.
The Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility for ITR-6 for AY 2026-27. The utility is now available on the e-Filing portal. The form is applicable to companies that are not claiming exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act.
Cash optimisation apps allow you to park unused money in liquid mutual funds or fixed deposits, delivering higher yields than standard savings accounts.
Brent crude prices surged to $126 per barrel amid the Iran conflict, but later eased. Oil companies argue their profits are necessary for future investments, despite criticism over excessive earnings
The EPFO is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August to help members recover money lying in old or inactive PF accounts. The Aadhaar-based portal aims to simplify account tracing, reduce paperwork, enable UAN linking, and make claims faster through a digital process.
The bank has demonstrated that it has control systems/guard rails in place to identify deviations, if any, and the oversight at committee levels is strong, chairman Rajiv Kumar said
The RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% while raising its FY27 growth forecast and trimming its inflation estimate. Here's why salaried employees shouldn't expect lower EMIs, cheaper loans or sharply lower FD rates just yet.

27 C