The Telangana High Court has ruled that the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) cannot recover provident fund dues from retired employees who have already received their benefits. The court held that any action arising from violations after surrender of an exempt PF trust must be directed against the employer and its trust, not the employee.
The Income Tax Rules, 2026 have brought sweeping changes to PAN requirements, easing compliance for several routine transactions while tightening scrutiny on high-value property deals, insurance premiums and cash withdrawals. The revised framework also introduces Form 97, replacing Form 60 for individuals without a PAN.
EPFO added 19.29 lakh net members in June, registering a 7.86% year-on-year increase, with young workers accounting for the majority of new enrolments. The retirement fund body also expanded its digital services, enabling members to update profile details and file e-nominations online.
More than two months after EPFO retained the 8.25% interest rate for FY2025-26, subscribers are still waiting for the annual interest to be credited to their accounts. While no official date has been announced, past trends suggest the update could begin reflecting between June and September.
According to a recent government notification, EPFO has removed the requirement for members to explain the reason for withdrawal under the "special circumstances" category.
Withdrawing your Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) before completing five years of continuous service could lead to tax liability and TDS, something many salaried employees are unaware of. Under Income Tax Act provisions and EPFO rules, the five-year threshold remains the key factor determining whether PF withdrawals are tax-free or taxable.
RBI's latest measures to attract foreign currency could bring in ₹5.2-6.2 lakh crore ($55-65 billion) in inflows during FY27, according to SBI Research. The FCNR(B) route, which helped India weather the 2013 taper tantrum, is once again being used to ease pressure on the rupee amid FII outflows and geopolitical uncertainty.
Deceptive design practices or "dark patterns" are quietly costing Indian consumers up to ₹28,000 crore every year, with hidden charges and manipulative tactics affecting nearly nine out of 10 online buyers. A new report by Datum Intelligence warns that the growing trust deficit could put ₹55,000 crore worth of digital commerce spending at risk.
Despite increasing social openness around miscarriage, most women in India still avoid discussing pregnancy loss at the workplace, a new YouGov India report has found. Low awareness of legal leave provisions and fears of judgment and career setbacks continue to discourage women from seeking support.
The move is aimed at streamlining claim processing, improving transparency, and reducing manual paperwork. However, employees will still need to submit physical copies of claim forms and supporting documents for verification and record-keeping.
Several states have revised Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) rates in 2026 following the Centre's decision to raise DA to 60% of basic pay. With inflationary pressures persisting, government employees and pensioners are now closely watching the possibility of another DA hike in July.
Is a dollar salary automatically better than earning in Indian rupees? A salary paid in US dollars may look far more attractive than one earned in Indian rupees, but exchange rates tell only part of the story. ChatGPT says the answer depends less on exchange rates and more on purchasing power, living costs, taxes, and how much of your income translates into actual lifestyle and wealth creation.
BIS is evaluating the regulatory framework and infrastructure required to make silver hallmarking mandatory across India. While adoption of voluntary hallmarking is rising rapidly, the regulator says challenges related to market diversity, testing capacity, and implementation readiness must be addressed before a nationwide rollout.
Indian travellers can now make seamless UPI payments at over 4.5 million merchants in Cambodia, following the launch of a cross-border QR payment linkage between the two countries. The move marks another milestone in India's efforts to expand UPI globally and simplify international transactions.
EPF subscribers are waiting for the 8.25% interest for FY2025-26 to reflect in their provident fund accounts. While the credit process may take a few more weeks, experts say members will not lose any interest due to the delay.
India may score a respectable 65 out of 100 on overall health, but financial well-being is emerging as a major source of stress for urban Indians. A new ManipalCigna report shows that money worries, high stress levels, and growing mental health concerns are quietly undermining the country's sense of well-being.
Godrej Industries Group has launched Godrej Wealth, its new wealth management business, with an ambitious target of managing ₹1 lakh crore in assets by 2031. The company aims to tap India's rapidly expanding affluent and high-net-worth investor segment through a technology-enabled, trust-led platform.
A 3% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike from July 2026 is looking increasingly likely, with the latest inflation data indicating that DA could rise from 60% to 63%. If approved, the move would boost the salaries and pensions of more than 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners.
The 8th Pay Commission has extended the deadline for submitting memorandums and suggestions to June 15, offering government employees and pensioners more time to present their demands. As consultations continue, the spotlight remains firmly on the fitment factor, which will determine the scale of future salary and pension hikes.
June 2026 brings a host of important financial changes that could affect taxpayers, investors, borrowers and digital payment users. From the RBI's monetary policy decision and new income tax rules to SEBI's stricter margin requirements, several developments are set to impact personal finances and investment decisions.
The 8th Pay Commission has stepped up consultations with employee unions and government bodies across the country as it works on recommendations for salaries, pensions and allowances. While central government employees could receive 20-24 months of salary arrears, experts say some allowance-related arrears may not be paid.




