IPOs This Week: HD Fire Protect, Fusion CX and Tonbo Imaging
Three mainboard IPOs open from 13 to 19 October 2026: HD Fire Protect, Fusion CX and Tonbo Imaging. Price bands, lot sizes, dates and what each company does.
· 5 min read
Balaji Anbazhagan
Software developer, SmartFigure
I am a software developer. I build SmartFigure and write its guides. I follow personal finance, investing and the Indian stock market as an independent learner, and I write from official sources such as the Income Tax Department, RBI, SEBI, EPFO and PFRDA. I am not a SEBI-registered adviser; my articles are for education, not advice.
Articles
Retail Inflation Jumps to 5.54% in September 2026
CPI inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83%, led by food at 7.74% and onions up 108%. What it means for your EMI, FD returns and the next RBI move.
· 4 min read
8th Pay Commission in October 2026: Mumbai Next, 6% Increment Ask
The 8th Pay Commission met staff in Bengaluru on 7–8 October and visits Mumbai on 22–23 October. What unions want, what is decided and where the DA hike stands.
· 4 min read
FD Rates After the Repo Hike: Who Has Raised Them So Far
Bajaj Finance and Shriram Finance raised FD rates after the RBI hike, up to 7.85%. SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank have not moved yet. What savers should do.
· 4 min read
TCS Q2 Results: ₹12 Dividend, Record Date 14 October
TCS posted a ₹13,934 crore Q2 profit and a ₹12 interim dividend. Record date 14 October, payment 30 October. Who gets it, the tax on it and the key numbers.
· 4 min read
RBI Hikes Repo Rate to 5.5%: What It Means for Your EMI
RBI raised the repo rate by 0.25% to 5.50% on 7 October 2026, its first hike since 2023. What changes for home loan EMIs, FD savers, and what to do now.
· 5 min read
AC, TV and Fridge Prices Up From October 2026: Buy Now?
ACs cost 5–8% more and TVs, fridges and washing machines 3–4% more from October 2026. Why prices rose, which brands, and how to pay less this Diwali season.
· 4 min read
SEBI’s Project Jagrook: New Warnings on Your Trading App
From 1 November 2026, brokers must show SEBI investor awareness messages on their websites and trading apps. What changes, what you will see and why.
· 4 min read
Muhurat Trading 2026: Date, Expected Time and How It Works
Diwali Muhurat trading 2026 is on Sunday 8 November. What the NSE has confirmed, likely timings from past years, how settlement works and what to watch.
· 4 min read
SEBI Board Meeting, 24 September 2026: What Changes
SEBI approved new PMS rules, a faster settlement process and a common advertisement code on 24 September 2026. What each decision means for ordinary investors.
· 5 min read
GST Collections Hit ₹2.04 Lakh Crore in September 2026
Gross GST collections rose 14.7% to ₹2.04 lakh crore in September 2026, a third month above ₹2 lakh crore. The numbers, state-wise data and what it means.
· 3 min read
NPS Swasthya Launched: Health Cover Inside Your NPS
PFRDA launched NPS Swasthya on 1 October 2026: an NPS account plus super top-up health cover up to ₹30 lakh and medical withdrawals. How it works, who it suits.
· 4 min read
NPS New Charges From 1 October 2026: 0.20% Yearly Fee
From 1 October 2026, NPS accounts run through a bank or agent pay a ₹200 joining fee and 0.20% of the corpus a year. Who pays, who is exempt, how to avoid it.
· 5 min read
ITR Deadline Extended to 21 November 2026 for Audit Cases
CBDT has moved the tax audit report deadline to 21 October 2026 and the ITR deadline for audit cases to 21 November. Who gets the extra time, and who does not.
· 5 min read
SIP Inflows Hit a Record ₹32,297 Crore: What It Means
India’s SIP contributions hit a record ₹32,297 crore in August 2026 and accounts crossed 10 crore. What the AMFI data shows, and what to take from it.
· 4 min read
Income Tax Refund Delayed? Why, and How to Check It
ITR filing for FY 2025-26 is over and refunds are due. Why refunds get stuck — TDS mismatch, unvalidated bank accounts, NUDGE checks — and how to track yours.
· 4 min read
SEBI’s New ETF Trading Rules From 7 September: What Changed
From 7 September 2026, SEBI moved ETF price bands to a T-1 VWAP base and made them dynamic. What changed for equity, gold and silver ETF investors.
· 4 min read
EPF Interest for FY26: Is Your 8.25% Credited Yet?
EPFO has been crediting 8.25% interest for FY 2025-26 since mid-2026. How to check your passbook, when to expect the entry, and what to do if it is missing.
· 4 min read
RBI's New OTP Rule for Foreign Card Payments From 1 October
From 1 October 2026, RBI requires an extra authentication step on foreign card payments. What changes, why some needed no OTP before, and what to check now.
· 5 min read
Silver Crosses ₹2.5 Lakh a Kilo: Should You Buy Now?
Silver has climbed past ₹2.5 lakh a kilogram in September 2026, outpacing gold. What is driving the rally, how it compares with gold, and how to invest in it.
· 4 min read
New Rules From 1 October 2026: 7 Money Changes to Know
From 1 October 2026: biometric Aadhaar for LPG subsidy, RBI FD rules, NRI property TDS by PAN, SBI withdrawal charges and NPS Swasthya. What to do about each.
· 7 min read
PPF, SSY, SCSS Rates for Oct–Dec 2026: Unchanged at 7.1% and 8.2%
PPF stays at 7.1%, SSY and SCSS at 8.2%, NSC at 7.7% and KVP at 7.5% for October–December 2026, unchanged for a tenth quarter. What it means for you.
· 6 min read
Bank Strike 28–30 September 2026: What Works, What Doesn’t
Bank unions strike on 28, 29 and 30 September 2026. Which banks are shut, why PSU banks open on Sunday 27 September, and what still works: UPI, ATMs, NEFT.
· 6 min read
Bank Holidays in October 2026: Full List by City
Banks are shut 8 to 10 days in October 2026 depending on your city. Dates for Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra and Durga Puja, weekend closures and what still works.
· 4 min read
Missed the ITR Deadline? How to File a Late Return
The ITR due dates for FY 2025-26 have passed. You can still file a belated return until 31 December 2026. Late fee, interest, what you lose and how to file.
· 5 min read
DA Hike July 2026: 63% Expected for Central Employees
DA is 60% now and the July 2026 revision works out to 63%, a 3-point rise. What is confirmed, the pay and arrears by level, and when Cabinet may decide.
· 5 min read
Petrol, Diesel and LPG Price Hikes 2026: What Changed
Petrol and diesel rose about ₹7 a litre in four hikes in May 2026, and LPG is up ₹89 a cylinder. Latest city prices, why $100 crude matters and what may come.
· 6 min read
RBI Policy 5–7 October 2026: Will Your Home Loan EMI Rise?
The RBI decides on the repo rate after 5–7 October 2026. Why a hike is being discussed, what it would do to your EMI in rupees, and what to do now.
· 5 min read
IRDAI Proposes Commission Caps: Will Insurance Get Cheaper?
IRDAI has proposed caps on insurance commissions and tighter expense limits, open for comments until 25 October 2026. What it means for your premium.
· 6 min read
EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised to ₹25,000: PF and Salary Impact
The Cabinet raised the EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month from 17 September 2026. Who is covered, PF math and the effect on take-home pay.
· 5 min read
Sensex Falls 1,248 Points: Why the Market Crashed
Sensex fell 1,248 points and Nifty closed at 23,063 on 24 September 2026. Why it happened, what to do with your SIPs and mutual funds, and what to avoid.
· 5 min read
Buying Property From an NRI? No TAN Needed From 1 October
From 1 October 2026, buyers can pay TDS on property bought from an NRI using their PAN, without a TAN. What changes, TDS rates, and the steps to follow.
· 4 min read
RBI’s New FD Rules From 1 October 2026: What Changes
From 1 October 2026, banks must pay the same FD rate at every branch and publish bulk deposit rates daily by 10 am. What changed and what it means for you.
· 4 min read
SEBI’s New Nomination Rules for Demat and Mutual Funds
From 1 September 2026, new single-holder demat accounts and mutual fund folios need a nominee or an opt-out. Who it applies to, what changed and how to add one.
· 4 min read
Gold at ₹1.56 Lakh Before Navratri: Should You Buy Now?
Gold is near ₹1.56 lakh per 10 g ahead of Navratri and Dhanteras 2026. What is moving the price, the real cost of jewellery, and cheaper ways to own gold.
· 5 min read
RBI’s 60-Day Debit Hold on Mule Accounts: What It Means for You
RBI’s draft lets banks block debits for up to 60 days on accounts suspected of carrying fraud money. When a hold can happen, your rights, and how to avoid it.
· 5 min read
8th Pay Commission: Salary Hike, Fitment Factor and Dates
Where the 8th Pay Commission stands in September 2026, what fitment factor to expect, how much your salary could rise, and when arrears may be paid.
· 6 min read
US Fed Raises Rates to 4%: What It Means for India
The US Federal Reserve hiked rates for the first time since 2023. How it affects the rupee, Indian stocks, your loans, FDs, gold and money you send abroad.
· 5 min read
Gratuity Under the New Labour Codes (2026)
Gratuity changed in November 2025: fixed-term staff now qualify after 1 year, and higher basic pay raises payouts. What changed and how to calculate it.
· 2 min read
HRA Exemption: 8 Metro Cities from 2026-27
Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad now count as metros for HRA, raising the tax-free limit from 40% to 50% of salary. How it works, with examples.
· 2 min read
New UPI Charges from 15 Oct 2026, Explained
NPCI will charge 0.4% on some UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 from 15 October 2026. Who pays, who is exempt, and why your UPI stays free.
· 4 min read
New NPS Withdrawal Rules 2026 Explained
NPS now lets non-government subscribers take up to 80% as a lump sum. See the new exit rules, tax on withdrawals and what they mean for your pension.
· 3 min read
Old vs New Tax Regime 2026-27: Which to Choose
Old or new tax regime for 2026-27? Compare slabs, deductions and the exact break-even point for your salary, with worked examples and a free calculator.
· 3 min read
SIP vs FD: Which Is Better for You in 2026?
SIP or fixed deposit? Compare returns, risk, tax and liquidity with real numbers for 5, 10 and 20 years, and find out which suits your goal.
· 3 min read