As the new financial year begins on April 1, 2025, taxpayers, investors, and banking customers in India must prepare for several important changes in financial regulations. These reforms, previously announced by the government and regulatory bodies, are aimed at improving compliance, digital security, and financial transparency. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key changes that come into effect starting April 1.   1. Higher Income Tax Exemption Limit

Ensuring financial security for children is one of the primary concerns for parents. Whether planning for education, marriage, or other major milestones, choosing the right investment plan can make a significant difference. While traditional government-backed schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) are widely known, financial experts are now highlighting the potential of Children's Mutual Funds as a flexible and high-return alternative.   Understanding Su

A loan against mutual funds is an effective financing option that allows investors to access funds without selling their investments. By pledging mutual fund units as collateral, individuals can secure a loan from banks or financial institutions. This method provides a practical solution for short-term financial needs while enabling investors to retain their portfolio and continue benefiting from market growth.   What is a Loan Against Mutual Funds?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a new digital platform named "Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant" (Mitra) to help investors track and reclaim lost, unclaimed, or inactive mutual fund investments. The initiative aims to reduce financial losses due to investor oversight, outdated KYC details, or the demise of the original investor.According to a circular issued by SEBI on February 12, 2025, an inactive folio is defined as a mutual f

A common question among newlyweds and couples planning their future is whether marriage has any effect on their credit score. The simple answer is no—getting married does not directly impact your credit score. Credit bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, and Equifax do not track or record marital status when calculating individual credit scores.However, while marriage itself doesn’t influence credit scores, the financial decisions you make as a couple can have a significant impact. When y

Choosing between a fixed and floating interest rate for a home loan is a crucial financial decision. Both options come with advantages and risks, and selecting the best one depends on your financial goals, market trends, and risk appetite. A fixed rate offers stability, while a floating rate provides flexibility and potential savings. Understanding the differences between these loan types will help you make an informed decision based on your repayment capacity and future market expectations.

Personal loans are often marketed as quick and hassle-free financial solutions, but borrowers are frequently caught off guard by hidden charges that increase the total cost of borrowing. While interest rates are clearly disclosed, additional fees, penalties, and deductions can reduce the actual loan amount disbursed and increase monthly EMIs.Lenders often do not fully disclose these fees upfront, making it essential for borrowers to understand all associated charges before finalizing their lo

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to introduce a major digital upgrade by allowing employees to withdraw their provident fund (EPF) claims using the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This move is part of the Indian government’s broader initiative to enhance digital financial transactions and streamline fund disbursements for millions of subscribers. The feature is expected to launch in the next two to three months as EPFO collaborates with the National Paymen

Vijay Mallya, the fugitive liquor baron, has approached the Karnataka High Court, claiming that banks have recovered the "principal debt amount multiple times over" in the Kingfisher Airlines loan default case. In his petition, Mallya has sought directions from the banks to provide a statement of the recovered amount.Justice R Devdas issued notices to 10 banks, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB), a recovery official, and an asset reconstruction compan

Assess Your Financial Needs: Before applying for a personal loan, take time to evaluate how much you truly need. Borrowing more than necessary can stretch your finances, while borrowing too little might leave you short of funds. Carefully analyze your expenses, create a budget, and determine the exact amount required. This ensures you borrow responsibly and avoid o

In a recent legal development, the vacation bench of the Karnataka High Court, led by Justice Suraj Govindaraj, intervened in the case involving cricketer Robin Uthappa. Uthappa, who is the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd., approached the court to challenge the recovery notices and arrest warrant issued against him. The case revolves around allegations of financial mismanagement, where U

In a shift of political support, major US business leaders and companies are lining up to donate substantial sums to Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural committee, following his landslide victory. Corporate America, which largely supported Kamala Harris and the Democratic agenda in the 2020 presidential race, is now keen to strengthen ties with the incoming Republican administration. With some of the largest donations coming from figures like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI’s Sam A

A Chinese court has ruled that Li, a man involved in a complicated breakup, is not required to return a 300,000 Yuan (₹3.2 crore) gift given to him by his ex-girlfriend, Xu. The unusual legal case, which has gained significant attention, centers on the couple's tumultuous relationship. Li and Xu had been in a stable relationship since 2018 until 2020, when Li discovered that Xu had an affair with his nephew. The revelation led to a breakup, but Xu later transferred a large sum of money

The government of Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of the NDA camp, is addressing pressing issues left by the previous administration, including the growing loan app culture. These loan apps are increasingly becoming a threat to the public, with many individuals falling victim to their deceptive practices. In a significant statement in the Assembly, Home Minister Anitha spoke out about the severe consequences of loan apps, which initially attract users by offering easy loans wit

In a recent report by the Union Ministry of Statistics, Andhra Pradesh has been highlighted as the state with the highest number of borrowers in India, averaging 60,092 loans per 100,000 individuals during the 2022-23 period. This significant figure places it well ahead of Telangana and Tamil Nadu, which have borrowing rates of 42,407 and 35,703, respectively. The data reveals a slight gender disparity, with men (60,144) slightly outnumbering women (60,043) among those classified as

In a significant boost for aspiring entrepreneurs, the limit for Mudra loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. This announcement was made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget presentation in July. The enhancement aims to facilitate the growth and expansion of new businesses by providing increased financial support. New Loan Category: Tarun Plus A new category, named 'Tarun Plus&#

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step by barring four non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) from sanctioning and disbursing loans starting October 21. The companies affected include Asirvad Micro Finance, Navi Finserv, Arohan Financial Services, and DMI Finance. This action comes in light of serious supervisory concerns related to high lending rates and non-compliance with regulatory standards. In a press release, the RBI emphasized its ongoing commitment to

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unveiled a series of new measures aimed at strengthening the equity index derivatives market, focusing on investor protection and enhanced market stability. These initiatives follow recommendations from SEBI’s Expert Working Group on derivatives and the Secondary Market Advisory Committee. Key changes include the mandatory upfront collection of option premiums from buyers, a move designed to mitigate undue intraday leverage

Studying abroad can significantly enhance career prospects, offering students access to world-class education, diverse cultural experiences, and valuable global networks. For those who meticulously plan their academic journey, attending top-ranked universities overseas can lead to exceptional job opportunities. However, the high cost of foreign education can be daunting. Students often turn to scholarships or education loans to fund their studies. In India, various banks provide edu

Benchmark equity indices experienced a decline, snapping a two-day winning streak as market participants adopted a cautious approach ahead of the highly anticipated interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve. This would mark the first rate cut since 2020, following a series of eight consecutive meetings where rates remained unchanged. The India VIX, a measure of market volatility, increased by 6.2%, closing at 13.37. Information technology stocks significantly impacted the indice