Finance
Clear, well-researched explainers on mutual funds, markets, and personal finance in India. Information, not investment advice.
Cancer Medicines to Get Cheaper From 9 November: NPPA's 30% Trade Margin Cap on 137 Drugs, Explained
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30%, with revised prices due from 9 November 2026. The government says retail prices could fall by up to 70%. Here is what a trade margin cap is, which medicines are covered, how the new MRP is worked out, and what patients should do.
Stock Market Holidays November 2026: When NSE and BSE Are Closed, Muhurat Trading on Diwali, and Bank Holidays, Explained
The NSE and BSE are shut on two weekdays in November 2026: Tuesday, 10 November (Diwali Balipratipada) and Tuesday, 24 November (Guru Nanak Jayanti). Muhurat trading is on Sunday, 8 November. Here is the full trading calendar, settlement tips around the holidays, and the key bank holiday dates.
Which International Mutual Funds Are Open for SIP and Lumpsum in October 2026? HSBC, Aditya Birla, Invesco, PGIM List, Explained
Several fund houses have reopened their overseas schemes in 2026, but each with different rules. HSBC allows SIPs up to 2 lakh rupees per PAN a month, Aditya Birla Sun Life reopened three funds on 24 September, Invesco allows new SIPs but not lumpsum, and PGIM allows lumpsum but not new SIPs. Here is the scheme-by-scheme list and why the doors keep opening and closing.
PM Kisan 24th Instalment 2026: Expected Date, How to Check Status and Why Your 2,000 Rupees May Not Come, Explained
The 24th PM-KISAN instalment of 2,000 rupees is due for the August to November 2026 period, but the government has not announced a date yet. Here is what is officially known, why October is the expected window, how to check your beneficiary status, and the e-KYC, land and bank checks that most often stop payments.
Muhurat Trading 2026: Date, Timings, How It Works and What to Keep in Mind, Explained
Diwali Muhurat trading in 2026 will be held on Sunday, 8 November, NSE has confirmed. The exact session timings are yet to be notified. Here is everything you need to know: the date, past timings, how the one-hour session works, settlement rules and the mistakes to avoid.
ITR Due Date Extended for AY 2026-27: Tax Audit Report by 21 October, ITR by 21 November, Who Gets Relief, Explained
CBDT has extended the tax audit report deadline for AY 2026-27 from 30 September to 21 October 2026, and the ITR due date for audit cases from 31 October to 21 November 2026. Here is who is covered, who is not, every key deadline left this year, and what to do if you have already missed yours.
Dhanteras 2026: Date, Muhurat and a Smart Gold Buying Guide (Hallmark, GST, Making Charges, ETF vs Digital Gold), Explained
Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, with gold at around 1.5 lakh rupees per 10 grams. Before you buy, here is the date and muhurat, how to check a hallmark, how jewellers calculate your bill, and how jewellery, coins, gold ETFs, digital gold and Sovereign Gold Bonds compare.
DA Hike July 2026: Why the Announcement Is Late, How Much It Could Be and What It Means for Your Salary, Explained
Central government employees and pensioners are still waiting for the July 2026 Dearness Allowance revision. DA is currently 60 percent. Labour Bureau inflation data points to a hike of around 3 percentage points, to 63 percent. Here is the status, the maths, what it means for your salary and arrears, and how it links to the 8th Pay Commission.
8th Pay Commission Latest Update, October 2026: Fitment Factor, Salary Hike and Timeline, Facts vs Rumours, Explained
The 8th Pay Commission is midway through its work, with consultations in Bengaluru and Mumbai this month and a report due around mid-2027. No fitment factor has been decided. Here is where things stand, what employee unions are demanding, how the fitment factor actually changes your salary, and which viral numbers to ignore.
India's Exports Jump 23% to $44.4 Billion in September 2026: Trade Deficit, Drivers and the US Deal, Explained
India's merchandise exports rose about 23 percent to 44.4 billion dollars in September 2026 and the trade deficit narrowed to 30.21 billion dollars, according to data released on 15 October. Here are the numbers, what drove them, and how the India-US trade deal fits in.
UPI Charges From 15 October 2026: Who Pays the New 0.4% MDR and Who Doesn't, Explained
From 15 October 2026, some UPI payments to merchants above Rs 2,000 attract a merchant discount rate of 0.4 percent, capped at Rs 300. Customers pay nothing extra, person-to-person transfers stay free, and small merchants are exempt. Here is exactly how the new UPI charges work.
PPF, SSY, SCSS, NSC Interest Rates for October to December 2026: Full List, Explained
The government has kept interest rates on small savings schemes unchanged for October to December 2026: PPF at 7.1 percent, Sukanya Samriddhi and SCSS at 8.2 percent, NSC at 7.7 percent. Here is the full list, what it means after the RBI's rate hike, and which scheme suits whom.
RBI Hikes the Repo Rate to 5.50% in October 2026: Why Rates Went Up and What It Means, Explained
The Reserve Bank of India raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 percent on 7 October 2026, its first hike since February 2023, and shifted its stance to 'calibrated tightening'. Here is what the RBI decided, why, and what it means for your EMIs and deposits.
How Mutual Funds Are Taxed in India (2026): LTCG, STCG, and Debt Fund Rules, Explained
Confused about capital gains tax on your mutual funds? This 2026 guide explains how equity and debt funds are taxed in India, the LTCG and STCG rates, the 1.25 lakh exemption, and the rules that changed in 2024, in plain language.
SWP Explained: How to Draw a Monthly Income From Mutual Funds
A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) lets you turn a mutual fund investment into a steady monthly income, like a self-made pension, while the rest stays invested. Here is how an SWP works, how it is taxed, and who it suits, explained.
SIP Inflows Hit a Four-Month High in July 2026: What the AMFI Data Shows
Indians poured a near-record 31,961 crore rupees into mutual funds through SIPs in July 2026, even as markets wobbled and large-cap funds saw outflows. Here is what the latest AMFI data reveals about where the money is going, explained.
RBI Holds the Repo Rate at 5.25% in August 2026: What the Policy Means, Explained
The Reserve Bank of India kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fourth straight review in August 2026, held its neutral stance, and lifted its growth forecast. Here is what the RBI decided and what it means for borrowers and savers, explained.
HSBC International Funds Reopen for SIP: What Investors Need to Know
HSBC Mutual Fund has reopened three of its international schemes for fresh SIP and lumpsum investment from 18 August 2026, capped at 2 lakh rupees per PAN a month. Here is exactly what reopened, why the funds were shut, and what it means for investors.