Timely pension payments are not merely a procedural matter—they are a lifeline for countless retired central and state government employees. These pensions, disbursed through authorised banks, are governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s "Master Circular - Disbursement of Government Pension by Agency Banks". The RBI recently updated the circular, issuing a series of clarifications that aim to make the pension system more transparent, accountable, and senior citizen-fr

In a move that offers much-needed relief to Public Provident Fund (PPF) account holders across India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has officially announced that individuals will no longer have to pay any fees to add, update, or remove nominee details in their PPF accounts. The announcement was made via a post on social media platform X and follows a recent government notification that amends the applicable savings rules. Through Gazette Notification 02/4/25, changes have been introduce

In a major immigration reform move, US President Donald Trump has proposed a new visa scheme that offers a 'gold card' residency permit to foreigners willing to invest $5 million in the United States. This initiative aims to attract “brilliant, hardworking, job-creating people” while generating significant government revenue to balance the federal budget. Described as “like the green car

The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) has issued fresh guidelines to streamline the pension disbursement process for retirees under the National Pension System (NPS). The new instructions aim to ensure that pensioners receive their dues on time without unnecessary delays. In a memo dated March 12, 2025, the CPAO emphasized the need to follow the same procedural framework as the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to avoid errors. The CPAO’s latest reminder follows an earlier directive issue

The central government is expected to announce a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) this week, according to several media reports. This anticipated hike is set to benefit over 12 million central government employees and retirees under the guidelines of the 7th Pay Commission. If implemented, this increase will raise the existing DA from 53% to 55% of the basic pay. The increase is designed to help employees and pensioners manage inflation by adjusting their income to

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state employees to return to the office full-time, marking a significant shift away from the remote work arrangements many have relied on since the pandemic. While Abbott has not set a strict statewide deadline, individual agencies are implementing their own return-to-office timelines, with some requiring employees to be back at their desks by March 31, 2025. This move has sparked mixed reactions among state employ

Post Office Savings Schemes remain one of the most trusted investment options in India, offering secure returns backed by the government. Many of these schemes not only provide financial security but also offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Investors can claim a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per financial year when investing in these schemes, making them an attractive option for tax planning.However, these deductions are applicable only under the old tax reg

The Indian government is working on refining the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to increase local value addition and export-driven growth in key industries. While the scheme has successfully attracted investment across multiple sectors, officials believe that further improvements are needed to address import dependency and enhance India's global manufacturing competitiveness.Since its launch in April 2020, the PLI scheme has been instrumental in drawing substantial investments i

Choosing the right tax regime is an important decision for taxpayers in India. The old and new tax regimes offer different benefits, and individuals must carefully analyze their financial situation before selecting the most suitable option. While salaried employees have the flexibility to switch every year, business professionals have a more restricted choice.The decision between the two regimes depends on factors such as tax-saving investments, exemptions, and deductions. Understanding these

The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has presented a record-breaking budget for the financial year 2025-26. With an overall outlay of ₹3.22 lakh crore, this is the first time in the state's history that the budget has surpassed the ₹3 lakh crore mark. Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav introduced the budget in the Andhra Pradesh assembly, outlining major allocations aimed at boosting welfare programs, infrastructure, agriculture, and social developmen

The Indian government is reportedly working on a Universal Pension Scheme, a voluntary initiative designed to provide retirement benefits to individuals across all sectors, including those in unorganised employment, traders, and self-employed individuals aged 18 and above. Unlike traditional job-based pension plans, this scheme will not be tied to any specific employment, making it accessible to a wider range of individuals.The Labour Ministry has already initiated discussions on the framewor

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a government-backed retirement savings initiative designed to provide individuals with long-term financial security. With its tax benefits and flexible investment options, NPS is an attractive choice for those looking to systematically build a pension corpus. One of the most convenient ways to contribute to NPS is through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), which allows individuals to invest small amounts regularly, ensuring a d

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched the Smart Pension Plan, designed to provide financial security for retirees through structured annuity payouts. The plan offers a range of annuity options, ensuring flexibility and stability for policyholders looking for a steady income after retirement. With multiple features tailored to meet the needs of individuals at different life stages, the Smart Pension Plan provides long-term financial support.The

Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi has accused the newly formed BJP government of failing to fulfill its pre-election promise of providing a Rs 2,500 monthly allowance to women in its first cabinet meeting. In a video posted on X, she criticized the BJP for allegedly deceiving the women of Delhi.In response, newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta dismissed Atishi’s remarks, stating that the new government would operate on its own terms. "It’s our gove

On Monday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy issued directives to ensure free sand supply for houses being built under the state’s ‘Indiramma’ housing scheme, which focuses on providing homes for economically weaker sections. During a review meeting on mines and mineral development, Reddy instructed officials to supply sand at reduced rates for the general public while ensuring that beneficiaries of the housing scheme receive it free of charge.   I

 The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, under the leadership of Chairman B.R. Naidu, has initiated a major personnel overhaul by transferring 18 non-Hindu employees. This action follows concerns raised by Hindu devotees about the promotion of non-Hindu activities, such as the availability of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and drugs on the sacred Tirumala Hills, which some employees allegedly abetted.The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with many devotees expressing satisfact

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recently issued 21,885 pension payment orders as part of its ongoing efforts to implement higher pensions under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995. As per Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje's written response in Lok Sabha, a total of 17.48 lakh applications were submitted by pensioners and members seeking to increase their pension by making higher contributions.   The EPF

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has released the admit card for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025. Registered candidates can now download their admit cards from the official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in. GATE 2025 is set to take place on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and it will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode across eight different zones. Results are expected to be announced on March 19, 2025. Candidates can follow a simple ste

In 2024, the rural development ministry of India put a strong emphasis on women empowerment, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs). Over 10 crore rural households were mobilized into nearly 91 lakh SHGs, with a large number of women benefiting from various rural development schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been a major contributor to women's employment, with over 6.7 crore women workers provided employment in the current financial