Personal Finance
PF, EPF, gratuity, PAN, Aadhaar, insurance, and household financial planning.
Sovereign Gold Bonds: Interest, Maturity and Tax Rules
Learn how Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) interest is taxed, why capital gains on maturity are tax-free, and the tax implications of selling SGBs prematurely.
Personal Loan vs Credit Card Loan: True Cost Comparison
Effective interest rates, prepayment charges, and when each debt instrument is cheaper.
Will vs Nomination: Why a Nominee Is Not a Legal Heir
Sarbari Prasad Sarkar clarified in later rulings — nominee is a trustee, not owner. What that means for your family.
Improving Your CIBIL Score: What Actually Moves the Needle
The five factors credit bureaus weight, how long each takes to change, and myths to ignore.
Salary Hike Calculator: Real Increase After Tax and Inflation
How to compute your true post-tax, post-inflation hike and negotiate accordingly.
Building an Emergency Fund: How Much and Where to Park It
6-month expense benchmark, sweep-in FDs vs liquid funds, and rebuild after use.
SIP vs Lump-Sum Investing: Which Wins in the Long Run?
Rupee-cost averaging vs lump-sum entry — evidence from historical Nifty data.
Family Floater vs Individual Health Insurance
Structure, premium economics, sub-limits, and no-claim-bonus mechanics compared.
Term Insurance: How Much Cover You Need and What to Avoid
Cover calculation, insurer solvency, claim settlement ratio, and rider selection.
PPF vs ELSS: Choosing Between Safety and Growth
15-year lock-in vs 3-year, tax-free vs LTCG-taxed, and historical return comparisons.
NPS vs Atal Pension Yojana: Which Retirement Plan Fits You?
Contribution flexibility, tax treatment, exit rules, and target-audience differences for NPS and APY.
Gratuity Calculation in India: Rules, Formula, and Tax Treatment
Payment of Gratuity Act formula, five-year rule, ₹20 lakh tax cap, and exceptions.
PF Withdrawal Online: Form 19, 10C, and Composite Claim
When you can withdraw EPF, Form 19 vs Form 10C, and the composite claim after two months of unemployment.
EPFO UAN and Passbook: Complete Access and Balance-Check Guide
Activating your UAN, downloading the EPF passbook, and reconciling employer contributions.
Aadhaar Card Updates: Address, Mobile, and Biometric Corrections
SSUP portal for demographic updates, biometric refresh at Aadhaar Seva Kendra, and mAadhaar app.
PAN Card Application in India: Online Process and Timelines
New PAN via Protean/NSDL and UTIITSL, e-PAN through Aadhaar, and correction requests.
Is EPF Withdrawal Taxable? The 5-Year Rule Explained
How Rule 8 of Schedule IV taxes premature EPF withdrawals, the 5-year continuous service test, and Form 15G.