Plain-English guides to income tax, investing, retirement, loans and savings in India.https://smartfigure.in/en-INhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/sebi-nomination-rules-demat-mutual-funds-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/sebi-nomination-rules-demat-mutual-funds-2026/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.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMTinvestingsebinominationnomineedemat accountmutual fundfoliotransmissionestate planninghttps://smartfigure.in/blog/gold-price-navratri-dhanteras-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/gold-price-navratri-dhanteras-2026/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.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:45:00 GMTinvestinggold pricegold rate todaynavratri 2026dhanteras 2026diwali 2026gold etfdigital goldjewelleryhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/rbi-60-day-debit-hold-mule-accounts/https://smartfigure.in/blog/rbi-60-day-debit-hold-mule-accounts/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.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:30:00 GMTbankingrbimoney mulecyber fraudaccount freezedebit holdkycbank accountdigital arresthttps://smartfigure.in/blog/8th-pay-commission-salary-hike-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/8th-pay-commission-salary-hike-2026/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.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:20:00 GMTsalary8th pay commission8th cpcfitment factordearness allowancecentral government employeespensionhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/us-fed-rate-hike-september-2026-india/https://smartfigure.in/blog/us-fed-rate-hike-september-2026-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.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:20:00 GMTinvestingus fedfederal reserveinterest ratesrupeefpirbirepo rategoldhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/gratuity-new-labour-codes-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/gratuity-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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsalarygratuitylabour codescode on social securitysalaryhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/hra-exemption-new-metro-cities/https://smartfigure.in/blog/hra-exemption-new-metro-cities/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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTtaxhrahouse rent allowanceincome taxmetro citieshttps://smartfigure.in/blog/new-upi-charges-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/new-upi-charges-2026/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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTbankingupinpcimdrdigital paymentsupi chargeshttps://smartfigure.in/blog/nps-withdrawal-rules-2026/https://smartfigure.in/blog/nps-withdrawal-rules-2026/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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTretirementnpsnational pension systempfrdaretirementannuityhttps://smartfigure.in/blog/old-vs-new-tax-regime-2026-27/https://smartfigure.in/blog/old-vs-new-tax-regime-2026-27/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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTtaxincome taxnew tax regimeold tax regimetax year 2026-27https://smartfigure.in/blog/sip-vs-fd/https://smartfigure.in/blog/sip-vs-fd/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.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTinvestingsipfixed depositmutual fundsrecurring deposit