News

PAN card for children: Step-by-step process, fees and key rules explained

Updated : Mar 24, 2026

Can minors get a PAN card? Who can apply, eligibility, documents needed; Step-by-step guide

A minor cannot apply independently. The application must be filed by a parent, guardian, or a representative assessee on the child’s behalf

ATF prices have surged since early March as the US-Israel-Iran conflict disrupted Gulf supply routes, raising concerns over fuel shipments.

Updated : Mar 14, 2026

West Asia conflict: How Air India, IndiGo, Akasa fuel surcharge hikes are making flights costlier

Almost all major Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air, have announced fare hikes in the form of fuel surcharges over the past few days, citing a steep rise in fuel prices and continued uncertainty in the region.

Experts said bullion prices are under pressure as a stronger US dollar and rising bond yields reduce the appeal of non-interest-bearing assets like gold.

Updated : Mar 13, 2026

Gold slips below ₹1.6 lakh, silver falls despite Israel-Iran conflict fears; why bullion rally has paused now

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for April 2026 delivery slipped about 0.3% to around ₹1,59,800 per 10 grams, while silver futures for May delivery fell nearly 0.7% to around ₹2,66,000–₹2,67,000 per kg during intraday trade.

The PM-KISAN scheme provides eligible small and marginal farmers with Rs 6,000 annually, distributed in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each.

Updated : Mar 13, 2026

PM-KISAN installment today: 22nd payout to be disbursed today, over Rs 18,640 cr to reach 9.32 cr farmer families

The latest transfer, totalling more than Rs 18,640 crore, will be credited directly to the bank accounts of over 9.32 crore farmer families nationwide through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

If rolled out widely, X Money could place the platform in direct competition with existing peer-to-peer payment services such as PayPal, Venmo and Cash App in the US.

Updated : Mar 11, 2026

X Money next: Elon Musk says X Money to enter early public access in April 2026; payments, wallet and debit card features planned

X Money is being designed as an in-app digital wallet that allows users to manage financial transactions within the X platform itself. The feature aims to make payments as seamless as sending a message or posting content, similar to integrated payment systems used by messaging apps in some global markets.

PhonePe initially entered the lending distribution business through merchant loans, and later expanded into consumer credit and secured lending products.

Updated : Mar 10, 2026

PhonePe sharpens focus on merchant lending, consumer loans ahead of IPO push

PhonePe has scaled its merchant loan distribution rapidly over the past three years. Disbursals rose from just ₹11 crore in FY23 to ₹1,718 crore in FY24 and further to ₹4,507 crore in FY25.

In a recent social media post, Kamath said the biggest loophole allowing these apps to grow is the ease of transferring money through digital payment systems.

Updated : Mar 7, 2026

After gaming ban, offshore apps rise; Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath warns on easy money transfers

The central government had pulled the plug on many online money gaming apps in August 2025 after passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a law aimed at protecting citizens from the dangers of real-money betting while allowing regulated online games to continue.

Historically, EPF rates have seen fluctuations — touching a four-decade low of 8.10% in 2021-22, rising to 8.15% in 2022-23, and then to 8.25% from 2023-24 onward.

Updated : Mar 3, 2026

EPF rate @8.25%: EPF interest rate outperforms PPF, FDs, stability prioritised by govt, say experts

By retaining the 8.25% rate for the second consecutive year, EPFO has signalled a clear preference for predictability amid volatile global markets and moderating domestic bond yields, say experts.

Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have introduced refund and rescheduling policies for affected passengers.

Updated : Mar 3, 2026

Middle East flight cancellations: Check refund procedures for cancelled flights amid ongoing airspace disruptions

Nearly 80 international flights were called off at Delhi airport on Tuesday morning as airlines faced operational challenges amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.

This expansion is expected to increase the number of families in Delhi eligible for comprehensive, cashless healthcare, as the state seeks to widen its social security net.

Updated : Feb 26, 2026

PMJAY: Delhi govt extends Ayushman Bharat scheme to widows, disabled beneficiaries, expanding access to cashless healthcare

The new policy means more citizens will have access to hospitalisation cover up to Rs 5 lakh annually, which could reduce out-of-pocket health expenses for vulnerable populations.

Ahead of the 22nd instalment, the government has undertaken a large-scale re-verification drive, resulting in the removal of several names from the beneficiary list.

Updated : Feb 26, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi at 7: Farmers wait for 22nd instalment likely soon amid re-verification drive

Launched as a 100% centrally funded scheme, PM-KISAN was designed to supplement the financial needs of landholding farmers, particularly small and marginal cultivators. Under the programme, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹6,000 annually, disbursed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each.

From April 1, 2026, TCS on education remittances above ₹10 lakh drops to 2%, and tour packages move to a flat 2% rate.

Updated : Feb 25, 2026

Lower TCS on foreign education remittances reduce cash-flow stress, says Ankit Mehra of GyanDhan

The Budget 2026’s decision to cut TCS on overseas education remittances from 5% to 2% is set to ease immediate liquidity pressure on middle-class families. Ankit Mehra, CEO & Founder of GyanDhan, says the move reduces upfront capital blockage and restores rational financing decisions for students studying abroad. He added that the reform addresses the timing mismatch in tax collection that had strained household cash flows.

An urban upper-middle-class Indian household may spend about $1,000 (₹88,000) a month. In the U.S., a comparable family spends roughly $5,700.

Updated : Feb 25, 2026

Cost of living reality in 2026: Where does money flow faster -- India or US?

As inflation normalises but household budgets remain stretched, the real difference between India and the US in 2026 lies not just in income levels, but in how rigidly expenses are structured. From housing and healthcare to childcare and transport, America’s fixed-cost ecosystem contrasts sharply with India’s more flexible, lifestyle-adjustable spending model.

An inoperative EPF account is classified as such when no contribution has been received for three years following retirement, permanent migration abroad, or the account holder’s death.

Updated : Feb 24, 2026

Pending PF: EPFO to refund Rs 30.52 crore from 7 lakh inactive accounts, aiding lakhs of employees

Following a recent review by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, officials indicated that over 7.11 lakh inactive EPFO accounts, each carrying a balance up to Rs 1,000, will be cleared and the funds refunded to respective account holders or their legal heirs.

Prior to 2014, the higher EPS pension option was often selected by PSU employees, enabling some to receive pensions close to half their last-drawn basic salary.

Updated : Feb 23, 2026

EPFO news: Higher EPS pension linked to actual salary restored for eligible employees

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has clarified rules around the higher Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) option, reinstating the ability for certain employees to link pension contributions to their actual basic salary and dearness allowance.

The EPFO manages a corpus of over Rs 28 lakh crore, investing most inflows in government securities and debt, with up to 15% in equities via ETFs and a small portion in short-term debt.

Updated : Feb 17, 2026

EPFO may retain interest rate at 8.25% for FY26 ahead of CBT meet on March 2

Central Board of Trustees to meet on March 2, EPFO could manage 8.25% rate for the third year, but will have to look at boosting investments going forward

Over the years, the KCC scheme has been expanded to include investment credit for allied and non-farm activities.

Updated : Feb 14, 2026

Kisan Credit Card set for overhaul; 4 big changes that could impact farmers’ access to credit

Under the existing structure, farmers receive a highly subsidised loan, with the Government of India providing an interest subvention of 2% and a prompt repayment incentive of 3%, effectively bringing the interest rate down to 4% per annum.

Avoid rejections and delays: What to check before applying for a credit card online

Updated : Feb 12, 2026

How to apply for a credit card online? From eligibility to verification, a step-by-step guide

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to applying for a credit card online and avoiding common pitfalls

EximPe is among a small group of firms to receive PA-CB authorisation without having previously operated as an online payment gateway or holding a domestic payment aggregator licence.

Updated : Feb 11, 2026

EximPe targets $1 bn in cross-border UPI payments after securing RBI PA-CB licence

EximPe is one of a small number of PA-CB licensees to secure the approval without previously holding a domestic payment aggregator licence or operating an online payment gateway. The authorisation allows it to support collections through UPI, cards, wallets and local bank transfers.

Draft Income Tax Rules 2026 may increase PAN card threshold

Updated : Feb 10, 2026

Draft Income Tax Rules 2026 may increase PAN threshold: What it means for you, your bills

Draft Income Tax Rules: The list of Category 1 metropolitan cities for the purpose of claiming house rent allowance have also been expanded to include Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, apart from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Data on state-wise income thresholds shows stark differences in what it takes to be considered part of the top 1%.

Updated : Feb 9, 2026

₹22 lakh and the Top 1% illusion: CA explains why it still doesn’t feel rich in India

After accounting for a 30% income tax bracket, high rents, expensive schooling, transport and lifestyle inflation, the purchasing power of a ₹22 lakh salary shrinks rapidly.