Personal Finance

From rules on TDS and TCS to pension reforms, ITR deadline extension for certain categories and new tax exemptions, one must be aware of these key changes from April 1.

A new report examines how fixed deposits (FDs), life annuities, systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs) and an aggressive, equity-biased approach, can impact a retirement corpus.

The key to reach Rs 2 crore target is by starting early and maintaining a long investment horizon.

When individuals begin investing at a younger age, they give their money more time to grow, which plays an important role in the long-term wealth creation journey.

Advance tax is designed to distribute the tax burden evenly and ensure a regular flow of revenue to the government.

The government has welcomed input from all parties to share their recommendations concerning the 8th Pay Commission.

By investing consistently, diversifying your portfolio and gradually increasing contributions, you can steadily move towards the Rs 1 crore milestone.

In India, there are many options under the tax laws that offer deductions and exemptions to reduce taxable income, such as PPF and ELSS.

Many investors redeem mutual funds when they need money. But there is another option that can provide liquidity without interrupting long-term investments.

Achieving Rs 1 crore in just 10 years without market risks demands substantial monthly investments into guaranteed-return schemes.

Other proposals include revising the dearness allowance (DA) calculation formula, increasing leave encashment days, and reducing the commuted pension restoration period to 11 years.

Bank FDs offer fixed and steady returns, unlike market-linked instruments such as stocks and mutual funds. However, making ad hoc investments in FDs may not be an effective approach.

At a 12% annual return, Rs 13 lakh could potentially grow to over Rs 3 crore in about 28 years.

FDs can act as a critical part of one’s portfolio, providing predictable income and allowing flexibility over the preferred investment period.

The 8th Pay Commission is expected to come into effect retrospectively from Jan. 1, 2026. This means that the government employees and pensioners may receive arrears.

Inflows across equity categories showed a rise relative to the previous month, with flexicap funds leading the movement.

Net inflows stood at Rs 5,255 crore, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India on Tuesday.

As of early 2026, approximately 49 women fund managers in India collectively oversee more than Rs 13.45 lakh crore in assets. Notably, the top five managers alone control nearly half of this total, managing roughly Rs 6.1 lakh crore.

As tensions escalate across the Middle East, markets are entering a new phase of volatility. For investors, the bigger question now is how portfolios should be positioned when geopolitics starts driving risk.

The proposed shift would apply across the industry, including life insurers, general insurers, health insurers and reinsurers, and is intended to improve transparency and consistency.