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Budget Express 2026

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Hiral Thanawala

Principal Correspondent

moneycontrol.com

Markets fall, SIP doubts rise: Why stopping now could cost you crores

BUSINESS

Markets fall, SIP doubts rise: Why stopping now could cost you crores

Most investors abandon SIPs early because of market volatility, return comparisons, and cash-flow issues, missing exponential growth. SIPs thrive on time, not timing; quitting early locks in losses and forfeits future growth.

Budget 2026: Should the 30% income tax slab be raised and indexed to inflation?

BUSINESS

Budget 2026: Should the 30% income tax slab be raised and indexed to inflation?

Tax experts advocate increasing India's 30% tax slab from Rs 24 lakh to Rs 35 lakh to counter inflation, boosting middle-class disposable income and economic growth, amid Union Budget 2025-26 discussions

Banking complaints? RBI's integrated ombudsman scheme 2026 is here to help

BUSINESS

Banking complaints? RBI's integrated ombudsman scheme 2026 is here to help

RBI launches Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2026, effective July 1, 2026, simplifying complaint resolution for customers, covering banks, NBFCs, and financial entities.

High-Yield Corporate FDs: Top 10 picks with credit ratings

BUSINESS

High-Yield Corporate FDs: Top 10 picks with credit ratings

NBFCs and HFCs offer higher interest rates on corporate fixed deposits compared to banks due to credit risk. Top corporate FDs include Muthoot Capital Services Ltd. (8.95%), Manipal Housing Finance Syndicate Ltd. (8.25%), and Shriram Finance (7.60%).

Six timeless investing rules that make money decisions easier

BUSINESS

Six timeless investing rules that make money decisions easier

Follow these six investing rules to grow your wealth: Rule of 72, 114, and 144 for investment growth, Rule of 70 for inflation, 110 Rule for asset allocation, and 3-6 Rule for emergency funds.

Credit Crisis: 85 percent of borrowers can't afford their loans

BUSINESS

Credit Crisis: 85 percent of borrowers can't afford their loans

India's credit crisis deepens as 85 percent of borrowers struggle with unsustainable EMIs, fueled by predatory lending and aggressive recovery tactics, prompting calls for urgent reforms.

Data misuse in digital lending: Lessons from Delhi High Court PIL

ASSEMBLY-ELECTION

Data misuse in digital lending: Lessons from Delhi High Court PIL

The Delhi High Court PIL highlights digital lending apps' privacy violations, emphasizing flawed identity verification and consent. Experts urge stricter RBI Digital Lending Directions enforcement, prioritizing consumer protection and transparency.

Rs 10 crore in 30 years: Rs 32,500 monthly SIP can do it

BUSINESS

Rs 10 crore in 30 years: Rs 32,500 monthly SIP can do it

Invest wisely for financial freedom. Aim for 30-40 times annual expenses to build retirement corpus, invest 30 percent of pay, and leverage SIPs.

Systematic withdrawal plans: A smart way to generate regular income without depleting savings

BUSINESS

Systematic withdrawal plans: A smart way to generate regular income without depleting savings

SWPs offer flexible, tax-efficient income and potential for growth, making them ideal for retirees, education expenses or career breaks, with optimal withdrawal rates of 3-5 percent annually

Union Budget 2026: A chance to revamp housing finance, boost affordability

BUSINESS

Union Budget 2026: A chance to revamp housing finance, boost affordability

Key proposals for the Union Budget 2026 include increasing tax deductions on home loan interest, reviving subsidies for mid-income buyers, simplifying loan portability, and linking disbursements to construction milestones.

New money rules from January 2026: 8th Pay Commission, tax rebates, loans against silver and more

BUSINESS

New money rules from January 2026: 8th Pay Commission, tax rebates, loans against silver and more

India's financial landscape changes from January 2026 include tax rebates on incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, new ITR forms, 8th Pay Commission implementation, and changes in credit card benefits and banking rules.

Investment Strategy for 2026: Prioritise quality, diversify and balance assets

BUSINESS

Investment Strategy for 2026: Prioritise quality, diversify and balance assets

Financial experts advise prioritizing quality, diversification, and balance in 2026. Focus on high-quality assets, debt, and alternatives to navigate volatility and build wealth sustainably.

Government scraps mandatory probate for wills: What it means for beneficiaries

BUSINESS

Government scraps mandatory probate for wills: What it means for beneficiaries

Indian government scraps mandatory probate for wills in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, aiming to simplify asset inheritance. Beneficiaries may face increased disputes; experts advise safeguards like registering wills and voluntary probate.

Budget 2026: Taxpayers want inflation-proof slabs, parity

BUSINESS

Budget 2026: Taxpayers want inflation-proof slabs, parity

Taxpayers want the Budget to make transition to new tax law simpler, slabs to be inflation-adjusted, deductions to be restored and easing of charitable trust rules

RBI rules made credit score updates faster in 2025: What to expect in 2026

BUSINESS

RBI rules made credit score updates faster in 2025: What to expect in 2026

RBI's 2025 reforms mandate bi-weekly credit reporting, reducing update lag from 30-45 days to 15 days. Weekly updates from July 2026 aim to improve credit transparency and accuracy.

IDFC First Bank slashes benefits: Mayura, Ashva and other credit cards hit hard

BUSINESS

IDFC First Bank slashes benefits: Mayura, Ashva and other credit cards hit hard

IDFC First Bank has made significant changes to its credit cards, including Mayura and Ashva, reducing reward rates on international spends and introducing fees on FASTag recharges and railway spends

Google Pay Flex Axis Bank credit card: Worthwhile addition for daily UPI users?

BUSINESS

Google Pay Flex Axis Bank credit card: Worthwhile addition for daily UPI users?

Google Pay's Flex Axis Bank Credit Card is a basic, UPI-linked credit card with instant cashback rewards. No physical card needed, lifetime free but has a tiered reward structure and a low base rate

5 housing loan changes homebuyers are expecting from Budget 2026

BUSINESS

5 housing loan changes homebuyers are expecting from Budget 2026

Homebuyers want the Budget to boost affordability amid soaring property prices. Their key demands include raising interest deduction limit to Rs 5 lakh and return of Section 80EEA

Will home-loan relief continue in 2026 after 125 bps repo rate cuts in 2025?

BUSINESS

Will home-loan relief continue in 2026 after 125 bps repo rate cuts in 2025?

RBI cut repo rate four times in 2025, bringing it down to 5.25% from 6.5%, helping home loan borrowers with lower interest rates and EMIs

Year-end debt check: Here's how to tackle costly loans for a happy new year

BUSINESS

Year-end debt check: Here's how to tackle costly loans for a happy new year

Before 2025 ends, conduct a debt audit to prioritise, prepay and consolidate loans. List all debts and focus on high-interest ones first. Consolidate into lower-rate loans, negotiate better terms and do weigh prepayment penalties

SBI rolls out YONO 2.0 with common KYC, unified digital banking

BUSINESS

SBI rolls out YONO 2.0 with common KYC, unified digital banking

YONO 2.0, merges mobile and internet banking, enhancing access for 50 crore customers with simplified KYC and financial management tools

2026 Investment Outlook: Diversification and innovation key to success

BUSINESS

2026 Investment Outlook: Diversification and innovation key to success

Experts at the Moneycontrol Dezerv Wealth Summit advise investors to overcome biases, diversify portfolios, and innovate strategies for 2026. Key takeaways include focusing on core exposures, leveraging digital platforms, and catering to youth-centric risks.

Idle money, lost opportunities: Why a fat savings account is not a always a good idea

BUSINESS

Idle money, lost opportunities: Why a fat savings account is not a always a good idea

Surplus cash in savings accounts, where rate of interest is around 4%, is a lost opportunity. Invest excess money in fixed deposits, liquid funds or equity funds for better returns

Declutter your finances: A year-end money detox guide

BUSINESS

Declutter your finances: A year-end money detox guide

To declutter your finances, start by gathering all financial documents, listing debts, and creating a budget. Automate payments, prioritize high-interest debts, and consider consolidating loan accounts.

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