One of Shrivastava’s key arguments is that first-time buyers underestimate how restrictive a 15- to 20-year home loan can become. “No spreadsheet can fully capture how heavy that burden feels over the years,” he noted, emphasising that people in their 20s and 30s often experience rapid changes in career, income stability, family structure and location.
“Technically, an American corporation is analyzing how 140 crore Indians spend, borrow, and repay their loans,” he said, calling it both “ironic” and “risky” for a country that champions digital innovation through platforms like UPI.
Managing a Rs 2.5-lakh personal loan after losing your job is challenging, especially with family expenses in the mix. One financial expert outlines how to prioritise repayments and restart emergency savings. Freelancers with fluctuating income are advised to request a temporary moratorium on EMIs to protect their credit score while stabilising earnings.
According to NPCI data, the total transaction value on UPI reached Rs 27.28 lakh crore in October, compared to Rs 24.90 lakh crore in September and ₹24.85 lakh crore in August.
Under the new rule, only RBI-regulated banks can register and use the ‘.bank.in’ domain — creating a verified, secure online identity system for India’s banking ecosystem. Starting today, customers logging into their bank websites will see updated URLs ending with “.bank.in”.
The change comes as part of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was notified on April 15, 2025, and introduces 19 amendments across key financial legislations, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The festive week kicked off with Dhanteras on October 18, followed by Diwali Amavasya and Lakshmi Puja on October 21, and will continue through Bhai Dooj (October 23) and Chhath Puja (October 27-28) in select states.
Experts say the objective of the RBI’s new collection standards is to prevent harassment and unethical recovery practices while upholding borrowers’ dignity.
While many schools already offer some digital payment options — such as NEFT, RTGS, or ECS — the ministry noted that these systems remain limited.
As the festive season lights up India with celebrations and shopping sprees, banks and NBFCs are quick to roll out “festive loans” — personal or consumer loans packaged with low interest rates, cashback deals, and zero processing fees. These offers promise instant purchasing power, but financial experts warn that while festive loans can be a smart choice for planned, high-value expenses, they can also spiral into a financial trap if taken impulsively.
SBI stated that the maintenance work is part of its regular digital infrastructure upgrades aimed at ensuring smoother and more secure transaction experiences for users.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has announced a range of festive credit card offers running from October to December 2025, helping customers save on travel, shopping, dining, and daily essentials. The bank said the initiative aims to make Diwali spending more rewarding, with discounts across top brands and online platforms.
At the launch of the three-month ‘Apki Poonji, Apka Adhikar’ (Your Money, Your Right) campaign in Gandhinagar, Sitharaman stressed the need for citizens and families to regain access to their savings.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed that the Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBD) become a standard service in the banking sector. The proposal aims to provide free digital banking, ATM access, and basic facilities without any minimum balance requirement.
Buying consumer appliances like refrigerators, ACs, laptops, or washing machines on credit has become increasingly common during the festive season. Easy access to personal loans, NBFC financing, credit card EMIs, and no-cost EMI schemes has encouraged many households to fund big-ticket purchases through borrowing. However, these options come with costs and risks.
No-cost EMIs are marketed as a smart way to buy gadgets without paying extra. But hidden GST, fees, and long-tenure traps often mean they’re not truly cost-free.
SBI Card and IndiGo have introduced the IndiGo SBI Card and IndiGo SBI Card ELITE, offering up to 7% rewards on purchases and travel-related benefits. Customers can earn up to 29,000 BluChips per year, with annual fees ranging from Rs 1,499 to Rs 4,999 plus taxes.
By agreeing to guarantee a loan, you take on full responsibility for repayment if the primary borrower defaults. Lenders treat the guaranteed amount as potential debt, which can reduce your ability to secure additional loans and increase your financial risk.
ICICI Bank, responding to the Reserve Bank of India’s directive, will move to same-day cheque processing on 4 October 2025. Customers must meet specific submission times for immediate funds and improved protection.
Choosing the right home loan interest rate is a critical decision for borrowers, as it directly affects monthly EMIs, overall repayment costs, and long-term financial planning. Homebuyers today often face a choice between fixed, floating, and hybrid interest rate regimes, each with distinct advantages, risks, and implications for the loan tenure.
Under the new framework, the per-transaction limit for categories aligned with tax payments and other high-value transactions has been raised to Rs 5 lakh, while the daily aggregate limit for most of these categories has been increased up to Rs 10 lakh, depending on the category.





