Author: Shehnaz Beig
Shehnaz Beig
Shehnaz Ali Siddiqui is a Corporate Communications Expert by profession and writer by Passion. She has experience of many years in the same. Her educational background in Mass communication has given her a broad base from which to approach many topics. She enjoys writing around Public relations, Corporate communications, travel, entrepreneurship, insurance, and finance among others.
In the last five years, a hybrid mutual fund from HDFC Mutual Fund has quietly made investors smile big. While the stock market saw ups and downs, HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund gave consistent growth and tripled investors’ money in just five years. For those looking at long-term wealth creation with calculated risk, this fund has emerged as a strong option. Let’s break down how this fund worked, why it’s getting so much attention, and what kind of investors it suits. Rs.5 Lakh Became Rs.15.72 Lakh in 5 Years If someone had invested Rs.5 lakh in the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund…
The Ministry of Education has come up with a big opportunity for students who want to crack entrance exams like NEET and JEE but cannot afford expensive coaching classes. The government has launched a free online platform called SATHEE (Self Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams) to provide free coaching for NEET and JEE aspirants from Class 11 and 12. This initiative will help lakhs of students, especially those from rural areas or low-income families, to access quality education and expert support for one of the toughest exams in India—without spending a single rupee. What is SATHEE? A One-Stop…
Filing income tax used to feel like a long and stressful task, especially when it came to making the final payment. However, the Income Tax Department of India has made this process much smoother and quicker by introducing the ‘E-Pay Tax’ feature on the income tax e-filing portal. This feature now allows taxpayers to pay their tax dues directly online in just a few simple steps, using multiple payment methods. This move aims to make the process more user-friendly for millions of taxpayers across India, especially salaried individuals, small businesses, and senior citizens who often find online tax systems confusing.…
Many taxpayers are confused about their tax regime while getting ready to file their Income Tax Return (ITR) for the financial year 2024–25. The common question is—can we switch the tax regime at the time of filing ITR, even if we told our employer something else earlier? Let’s understand how tax regime selection works and whether you can change it during ITR filing. What Are Old and New Tax Regimes? The government offers two tax regimes for salaried and non-salaried taxpayers: While filing ITR, you can choose whichever regime gives you better tax savings. However, this depends on your income…
Working in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is considered one of the most prestigious jobs in the Indian government. Officers posted here are not only responsible for routine administrative work but also play an important role in national policy implementation, coordination between ministries, and assisting the Prime Minister in decision-making processes. One such senior-level post is that of the Under Secretary. People often wonder—how much salary does such a senior officer earn while working directly under PM Narendra Modi? The answer might surprise many, especially those from the private sector. What Is an Under Secretary in the PMO? The Under…
India is taking a big step forward in strengthening the power of its Navy in the air. The country’s ambitious TEDBF project—originally designed as a 4.5 generation fighter—is now being developed into a complete 5th generation stealth fighter jet. This development can change the future of India’s naval air operations and give it an edge in the Indian Ocean Region. The TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter) is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This fighter is expected to replace the Indian Navy’s ageing fleet of MiG-29K jets, which currently operate from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant…
Blusmart, India’s first fully electric cab service, had created a buzz by offering an eco-friendly ride option in major cities. It gained attention for being an all-EV fleet and was often seen as a green alternative to traditional ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Ola. But now, the company is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A serious financial fraud has come to light involving the promoters of Blusmart, and this controversy might even lead to the shutdown of its services. SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has uncovered a major scam where the promoters of Blusmart and…
On April 15, 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) implemented significant reforms to its personal status law, aiming to modernize family-related legal matters. These changes particularly benefit non-Muslim residents, including Hindus and Christians, as well as women, by providing greater autonomy and aligning legal practices with diverse cultural backgrounds. Key Highlights of the New Law 1. Marriage Reforms 2. Divorce and Custody 3. Inheritance and Property Rights 4. Living Arrangements 5. Legal Options for Non-Muslims Implications of the Reform These legal reforms signify the UAE’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society that respects cultural diversity and promotes gender equality.…
Every taxpayer feels relieved when they are supposed to receive a refund after filing their income tax return (ITR). But sometimes, instead of a full refund, you might get a smaller amount—or nothing at all. This creates confusion and concern, especially when you’re expecting your money back. So, why does this happen? Let’s understand the reasons and how you can handle it smartly. Income Tax Refund Can Be Reduced or Held—Here’s When The Income Tax Department can adjust or hold your current year’s refund if there’s a pending tax demand from previous years. This is done under Section 245 of…
Retirement planning just got better for India’s senior citizens. The government has announced a major change in tax rules that will benefit thousands of elderly savers. From April 4, 2025, no TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) will be applied on withdrawals from the National Savings Scheme (NSS). This rule change follows confusion earlier, when many senior citizens saw TDS deducted from their NSS accounts despite earlier government announcements. CBDT Issues Official Notification: No TDS on NSS from April 2025 The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has now made it official. In its latest notification, the CBDT stated that TDS…