Author: Shehnaz Beig

The income tax return (ITR) filing season for FY 2024-25 is starting soon. The last date to file your return is 31 July 2025. But before you sit down to file your ITR, make sure your PAN card is active. If your PAN is inactive or not linked to Aadhaar, you cannot file your return, and your TDS refund may get stuck. Many taxpayers don’t even realise their PAN has become inoperative. This leads to unnecessary stress at the last moment. So, if you are planning to file your return on time and get your tax refund without delay, it’s…

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) shocked many investors on 22 May 2025 when its share price dropped by nearly 67% on the BSE. From the earlier close of Rs. 269.15, the stock opened at just Rs. 97, and during the day, it even touched a low of Rs. 88.40, which is now the new 52-week low. However, this steep fall is not a sign of a market crash or negative news. The drop happened due to a price adjustment linked with the demerger of the company’s lifestyle business. The adjustment was planned and announced earlier, and it reflects the…

India’s salaried class is experiencing a big shift in how their salary packages are structured. After the new tax regime became the default option from April 2023, private companies are now thinking of changing the CTC (Cost to Company) model. The change aims to include the corporate NPS (National Pension System) to help employees save on taxes. Chartered Accountants and tax consultants have confirmed that many firms are exploring the idea of offering corporate NPS as part of employees’ salary under the flexible benefits plan. This comes as the demand for tax-saving options grows under the new system, where most…

If you are planning to visit Thailand anytime soon, there’s something you must check before booking your tickets. From May 2025, Thailand has started new visa rules that all international tourists, including those from India, must follow. These changes aim to make immigration smoother and safer while also reducing visa misuse. Let’s break down what’s changed and what you need to keep in mind before you pack your bags. Proof of Income Now Mandatory for Tourist Visa Applicants From May 2025, Thailand has reintroduced a key rule that was earlier suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists applying for a visa…

The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season for Assessment Year 2025-26 is now open. Taxpayers across India have started preparing their income details to file returns before the deadline of 31 July 2025. While most people focus on completing the filing process, many also eagerly wait to know how much refund they will receive and when it will reach their bank account. Here’s everything you need to know in simple words. Understand How Income Tax Refund Works in ITR Filing 2025 When you file your income tax return, the system automatically calculates your total tax liability. If you have already…

In today’s world, building wealth is no longer just a dream, especially when you can start with something as small as Rs. 2,500 per month. With the right investment plan and some discipline, even this small amount can grow into a large fund of Rs. 1 crore over time. The secret lies in an innovative strategy known as Step-Up SIP. Let’s explore how Step-Up SIP works, how much you need to invest, and how you can reach your Rs. 1 crore goal even with a modest beginning. What Is Step-Up SIP and How Is It Different? A Step-Up SIP, also…

The Indian stock market is showing signs of stability after months of global and local uncertainties. With the ongoing war fears easing and markets settling down, companies are ready to tap investors again. IPO activity, which had slowed down earlier this year, is now picking up momentum. This month, six new companies are expected to hit the primary market with their IPOs, collectively aiming to raise over Rs. 11,669 crore. These IPOs are expected to attract investors who were waiting on the sidelines due to the previous volatility. Market Stability Revives IPO Sentiment in India For the past few months,…

HDFC Mutual Fund, one of India’s largest fund houses, has delivered impressive returns in the last five years. Seven of its equity mutual fund schemes have multiplied investor wealth by up to five times during this period. Despite market ups and downs, this growth has happened, and many of these funds have consistently outperformed their benchmarks. According to data, these equity funds have offered annual average returns ranging from 31% to 38% over five years. Look at these top-performing HDFC Mutual Fund equity schemes and understand how they created wealth for long-term investors. HDFC Infrastructure Fund Leads the List with…

NEET 2025 has been conducted, and lakhs of medical aspirants await the results and cutoff updates. With the exam over, the focus has shifted to cutoff trends and seat predictions for MBBS admissions. Based on expert reviews and student feedback, this year’s paper was more balanced, but some sections were more challenging than expected. This may directly impact the final cutoff scores. NEET is the most competitive entrance exam for medical education in India. Every year, the cutoff scores decide who makes it to top medical colleges like AIIMS and other reputed government colleges. This time, the difficulty of the…

Midcap mutual funds have quietly become a wealth-making option for long-term investors in India. These funds invest mainly in companies that are neither too small nor too large. These mid-sized companies often have more growth potential than large-cap firms and carry less risk than small-cap ones. Many investors prefer midcap funds for wealth creation over 7–10 years. In the last 10 years, some midcap mutual funds have performed so well that they turned a Rs. 1 lakh lump sum investment into more than Rs. 5 lakh. These schemes delivered annual returns of over 18%, which is far better than fixed…