Insurance is meant to protect people from financial shocks. Yet many customers end up with products that do more harm than good. Meaningful insurance education must start with honesty: it should openly acknowledge that a number of approved and aggressively sold products can weaken financial well-being rather than strengthen it. Why some insurance products harm … Read more
Big shifts in retirement savings: what happened in 2025 Two important developments reshaped India’s retirement-savings landscape in 2025. Structural changes to the National Pension System (NPS) were introduced to boost household adoption, while the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) moved decisively to curb complete withdrawals from provident fund accounts. Together, these moves mark a shift … Read more
What are flexi-cap funds? Flexi-cap funds are equity mutual funds that can invest across companies of all sizes — large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap — without strict limits on how much they must hold in any one segment. That flexibility allows fund managers to shift money between market-cap segments based on valuations, trends and risk-reward opportunities. … Read more
The Union Cabinet has approved the 8th Pay Commission framework that will rework central government salaries and pensions through a new fitment mechanism tied to inflation. Early projections point to a fitment factor ranging from 1.83 to 2.57, a change that could affect roughly one crore serving employees and pensioners. The move is likely to … Read more
Deadline to link Aadhaar with PAN: What you need to know Taxpayers must link their Aadhaar with their PAN by 31 December 2025 to keep their PAN valid. The government has made the process simple and primarily online, but it’s important to act before the deadline to avoid complications with tax filings and other financial … Read more
Banks commonly give borrowers a limited window — the cooling-off period — during which a personal loan can be cancelled with little or no cost. This option exists to protect consumers who change their minds after signing loan documents or discovering terms they didn’t expect. Knowing how the cooling-off period works helps you act quickly … Read more
A year of wide swings: equities and silver led the race in 2025 Equity returns in 2025 showed sharp contrasts across different categories. Commodity-focused silver funds delivered a standout performance, returning around 128%. At the same time, large-cap and midcap equity funds outperformed many peers thanks to disciplined, quality stock selection. Smallcap funds, however, lagged … Read more
What happens to a personal loan when the borrower dies? When a borrower dies, outstanding personal loans don’t simply disappear. Lenders will try to recover the unpaid amount, and that process usually involves either the co-applicant or guarantor, or the deceased person’s estate. How exactly the loan is handled depends on the loan agreement, the … Read more
Why India’s financial advice must focus on problems, not products For many Indians, financial advice still begins with a product: a mutual fund, an insurance policy, a fixed deposit. That approach often leaves real needs—retirement security, unexpected health costs, funding a child’s education—poorly addressed. Shifting from a product-centric to a problem-centric model means starting with … Read more
The NOVA Credit Card positions itself as a luxury option for people who want to convert everyday spending into memorable experiences. With accelerated reward points on travel, dedicated airport lounge access, low forex markup, complimentary golf rounds and other premium perks, the card targets travellers and lifestyle-focused consumers who value convenience and rewards. Key features … Read more