Despite the month-on-month dip in equity inflows, systematic investment plan (SIP) contributions touched a record ₹31,001.67 crore in December, highlighting disciplined retail participation.
With the latest notification, the Transgender Identity Certificate/Card has now been formally added to this list of acceptable documents. “The said document shall be deemed to have been included in the List of Acceptable Documents available as Annexure II to the circular dated January 16, 2025, on Simplification of Joint Declaration Process,” the EPFO said.
By cutting through jargon and focusing on every day money behaviour, learning these word combo can replace fear and emotion with clarity, discipline and long-term confidence.
The surge in UPI transaction volumes has also brought challenges into sharper focus. Alongside record usage, consumer complaints related to failed transactions, delayed confirmations and refunds have risen, drawing attention to stress points within the fast-expanding ecosystem.
Torrent Gas has cut CNG prices by up to Rs 3.50 per kg and domestic PNG prices by up to Rs 2 per standard cubic metre (scm), following the implementation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board’s (PNGRB) unified pipeline tariff from January 1, 2026.
According to the notification, unfiltered cigarettes shorter than 65 mm will attract an excise duty of Rs 2,050 per 1,000 sticks, while filtered cigarettes up to 70–75 mm will be taxed at Rs 5,400 per 1,000 sticks. Longer and premium variants will face even higher levies, with duties going up to Rs 8,500 per 1,000 sticks.
Issued under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974, the extension covers both transport and non-transport EVs. The revised exemption window will run from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, offering continued relief to buyers.
Under the new framework, excise duty will no longer depend on actual production or self-declared output. Duty will be levied on a deemed quantity of production linked to the maximum capacity of the machine.
The Indian rupee crossed a historic milestone by breaching the 90-per-dollar mark on December 3, 2025. The slide means NRIs now get more rupees for every dollar remitted, enhancing the value of overseas savings sent to India.
At the core of the changes is a redefinition of wages. Under the new Labour Codes, at least 50% of an employee’s total remuneration must be paid as wages, which include basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance.
With January 1 marking the start of both a new year and a new month, several reforms announced in 2025 will begin taking effect, impacting your salaries, banking services, taxation, investments, lending practices and digital payments.
The PAN–Aadhaar linkage has been made compulsory to strengthen identity verification within the tax system. By linking the two unique identifiers, the government aims to eliminate duplicate PANs, reduce tax evasion, and improve the accuracy of financial records.
Aggregate savings rate declined to 30.2% in FY23 from 31.7% of GDP in FY19, says research paper co-authored by C Rangarajan, Director, Madras School of Economics.
For Union and state government employees, the new year may bring a pay hike. The 8th Pay Commission is expected to come into force from January 1, 2026, as the tenure of the 7th Pay Commission ends on December 31, 2025.
Beyond the financial impact, the emotional toll of persistent debt is very high and it erodes peace of mind and shifts people from long-term planning to short-term survival.
ETF trading activity has also surged dramatically. From ₹51,000 crore in FY20, trading volumes have jumped over seven-fold to ₹3.83 lakh crore in FY25. In just the first half of FY26, volumes have already hit ₹3.2 lakh crore, nearly equalling last year’s total.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a directive targeting individuals who obtained their PAN using an Aadhaar enrolment ID instead of their actual Aadhaar number. Such PAN holders must complete Aadhaar-PAN linking by December 31, 2025.
Gurugram dominated the segment, accounting for an overwhelming 91% of NCR’s luxury sales, helping the region secure nearly 65% of luxury home transactions across the top seven cities.
Silver prices reached an all-time high of $69.98 per ounce on Tuesday driven by supply shortages, robust industrial use—especially in renewables—and firm investor demand.
Greed during rallies, fear during corrections and FOMO when others appear to be winning can derail even sound strategies. Without a clear plan, emotions begin to dictate trades, frequently ending in regret.
The Tata Sierra may be an emotional comeback, but buying it should be a rational decision. In an age where Instagram sells aspiration faster than affordability, doing the math may be the smartest upgrade buyers can make before driving their dream home.





