The Centre uses an 18‑level pay matrix for its employees and pensioners. When the 8th Pay Commission recommendations are finalised, the salary and pension increases will be linked to the level in that matrix. Below is a clear, level‑wise guide to what employees can expect, how increases are likely to be calculated, and simple examples … Read more
Facing a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough. Rising treatment costs and the possibility of recurrence mean that the financial side of care is equally important. Choosing the right cancer coverage can protect your savings, keep treatment options open, and reduce stress for you and your family. Below is a practical guide to understanding what to … Read more
From 1 January 2026, revisions recommended by the 8th Pay Commission will come into effect for salaries, allowances and pensions of current and retired central government employees. The move will reshape pay structures across departments and influence household budgets for millions who depend on government pay and pensions. What the revision covers Salaries: Basic pay … Read more
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