Central tax authorities detected input tax credit (ITC) fraud worth Rs 74,781.56 crore across 30,162 cases in FY26, more than doubling the number of cases from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance.
For members, the message is simple: don't be misled by headlines about '100% withdrawal'. The basic purpose of the EPF remains unchanged -- to help employees build a financial cushion for retirement while allowing limited access to savings for genuine needs during their working lives.
Of course, NOT! Here's why. And here's how you can increase your Rs 1 crore retirement corpus.
"If you share a healthy relationship with your parents, let them know that while they are searching, you are open to meeting other men," counsels rediffGURU Shalini Singh, founder of andwemet, an online matchmaking service.
Personal financial planning can reward you tremendously if you have the self-discipline needed.
In Rediff's series on modern marriages, young couples from across India discuss how they deal with differences of opinion, lifestyle preferences and personal choices. Here, *Ananya tells Rishika Shah/Rediff how a marriage she thought was built on teamwork fell apart almost overnight.
If you have ever said 'I'll sort retirement later,' now is when 'later' begins.
rediffGURU Jinal Mehta answers readers' financial planning and health insurance queries
That means making it easier to invest, protecting investors through predictable rules, and avoiding policy reversals after investments have been made, notes Rajeswari Sengupta.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to submit its final report to the Uttar Pradesh government shortly, sources said on Thursday.
It is because dealing with a regulatory system that is largely headed by retired IAS officers then becomes relatively easy, points out A K Bhattacharya.
If reimbursement becomes unavoidable, submit a complete file at the earliest.
The most financially successful borrowers will not necessarily be those who have the easiest access to credit. They will be the ones who understand how to manage it wisely
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the exorbitant fee structure in private medical colleges in Rajasthan, stating that self-financing institutions cannot be expected to charge the same fees as government institutions. The court emphasised the country's need for doctors and upheld the Rajasthan High Court's decision.
The EPF should remain a retirement nest egg, not be turned into an emergency fund.
The police investigating the "embezzlement" of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have scrutinised the bank accounts of relatives of the eight arrested accused as they seek to establish the money trail behind the alleged diversion of funds, sources said on Friday.
More Indians are consciously choosing to remain child-free. From personal freedom and finances to climate anxiety and mental wellbeing, young couples and singles tell us why parenthood isn't part of their life plan.
CAT and MBA expert and rediffGURU Patrick D'Souza explains how a simple daily reading habit can help aspirants clinch 99 percentile in the Common Admission Test this year.
'Propaganda films that the BJP makes, whether it's The Kerala Story or others, are shown wherever elections occur as part of their propaganda. But real-time human rights violations... If such things don't come on a public platform, how will correction occur?'
'But two things worked against them: People kept coming forward, and -- crucially -- these were not outsiders.'
Too many EMIs draining your salary? Ramalingam Kalirajan explains the safe borrowing limit that protects your income from a dangerous debt trap.
An Home Loan Protection Plan repays the outstanding loan if the borrower dies or suffers a covered disability.
A simple SIP-first approach can help reduce debt, avoid EMIs and build lasting financial freedom through disciplined spending, advises Ramalingam Kalirajan
'...Or will we take a positive approach and learn from those mistakes so that it is not repeated in future?'
Your children may always love you but should you expect them to to finance your retirement in today's economy?
The internecine war within the Trinamool Congress took a new turn on Thursday with "party treasurer" Aroop Biswas writing to a bank seeking restrictions on the operation of the party's accounts, citing uncertainty over its legitimate leadership amid rebellions by MLAs and MPs.
Dear readers, we had asked you to send in your personal finance queries to be answered by Basis founder and CEO Hena Mehta. Here's the first batch of responses.
Most of those named were involved with the donation-counting process.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
Investors should do thorough due diligence when selecting a platform.
State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty has expressed support for a 'pause' in policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy committee, believing it will help stabilise conditions and support economic growth. He also urged investors to look beyond short-term equity market movements and focus on India's structural transformation, driven by reforms and digital infrastructure.
rediffGURU Anu Krishna, mind coach, relationship coach and co-founder of Unfear Changemakers, urges couples to openly discuss how to manage money in a relationship.
Governor: Simplistic narrative, questionable historical accuracy, underwhelming production quality, notes Sukanya Verma.
After reviewing the preparations at the headquarters of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Pradhan said meetings have been held under the Cabinet secretary, and all the states have been asked to cooperate.
Sanjay Gupta, a 1988-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh amidst allegations of corruption, sparking controversy and criticism from opposition parties.
Rising stressed debt and past exposures like Reliance Capital, Yes Bank push EPFO to frame exit rules for its portfolio.
Recent BJP organisational moves and Rajya Sabha nominations have sparked speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon undertake a ministerial reshuffle.
'People told me to go back to school and leave climate issues to adults. But if adults had done their job, I wouldn't be here protesting.' At just 14, climate activist Licypriya Kangujam says children are paying the price for a crisis they did not create, while governments continue to make promises without delivering meaningful change.
Proposal forms are often filled by the agent. Check the form after it is filled.
A man was detained at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government after being found with live bullets during security screening. The incident occurred shortly before the oath-taking ceremony, attended by high-profile BJP leaders and other dignitaries.
