SALARY HIKE THIS YEAR
Suvendu Sarkar rolls out Diwali bonanza for Bengal babus, hikes IAS allowances by 50%
The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government has announced a range of benefits for its IAS officers, including a 50% hike in monthly sumptuary allowances for senior officials, education loans of up to Rs 50 lakh for children's studies in India and abroad, and expanded foreign travel benefits under LTC. The package also includes housing, electricity and post-retirement benefits, along with allowances for official work-related expenses.
Why a 9% personal inflation rate could change your retirement corpus calculations
Equity can fall 30-40% in a bad year, so money needed in the next few years must never sit there. A conservative investor may hold less. Few can afford to hold none: avoiding equity swaps the risk of a temporary fall for the certainty of losing purchasing power.
Gold taxation explained: How much tax you pay on selling physical gold, ETFs, fund of funds and SGBs
Tax on capital gains from gold investment: Investing in gold can yield gains, but investors must be informed about the associated tax liabilities. Different types of gold investments, including physical gold, ETFs, and FoFs, have varying tax implications. Gold held for less than 24 months generates short-term capital gains, while long-term gains apply to gold held longer. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) have specific tax exemptions if held until maturity, which investors should note.
AI gains fail to cool rising staff costs at Indian IT services firms
Although artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are changing the traditional labour-intensive model of IT services, they have yet to bring down employee costs for the country’s top six IT services companies—Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Tech Mahindra and LTM (formerly LTIMindtree).
Middle class spending boom in India comes with growing debt bill
Consumer borrowing in India has surged significantly as access to credit has expanded across the population. Individuals like Navjot Singh illustrate the financial burdens incurred from loans that have become widespread among the populace. As interest rates increase, many consumers face a heightened risk of default on their debts. Reports show that borrowing against gold and informal loans has also intensified in recent years.
Gratuity calculator: How 3% DA hike can increase your retirement gratuity by nearly Rs 50,000
The central government's recent decision to increase the dearness allowance from 60% to 63% will affect salaries significantly. This hike, effective from July 1, 2026, results in notable changes in retirement gratuity.
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RBI hikes FRB 2034 interest rate to 7.26%: How much can you earn on Rs 5 lakh investment?
The Reserve Bank of India has declared a new interest rate of 7.26% per annum for the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2034, reflecting an increase from the earlier rate of 6.45%. This updated rate will be effective from October 30, 2026, to April 29, 2027, allowing investors to earn more on their six-monthly coupon payments.
‘Facing ‘gerontonomia’, the West’s young opt for political extremes’
Tim Vlandas analyzes the influence of aging populations on electoral politics in advanced capitalist nations like Europe. Older voters display different policy preferences, emphasizing pensions over issues of younger demographics. Consequently, governments often allocate more resources to pension spending rather than investing in education and infrastructure. Young voters may become politically disenchanted, leading to radical shifts towards extreme parties.
DA hiked by 3% to 63%: Know the impact of hike on salaries of Level 1-10 central government employees
DA hike news: In a significant update for central government employees, a 63% dearness allowance will be implemented for the period of July to December 2026. This marks a 3% rise in the current allowance, providing enhanced financial assistance. Level 1 employees can expect an increase of Rs 540 in their monthly salary.
8th Pay Commission salary calculator: What 7% increment rate means for employees with Rs 53,100, Rs 56,100 and Rs 67,700 basic pays
8th Pay Commisssion newsThe 8th Pay Commission held its final meetings in Mumbai, focusing on salary and pension reform for central government employees. Associations have proposed an annual increment rate of 5-7%, aimed at counteracting inflation and enhancing salaries. If implemented, these adjustments could lead to substantial pay raises over the coming decade, with definitive figures pending in the forthcoming report from the Pay Commission.
DR rises by 3% to 63%: How will the hike impact pension, family pension and commuted pension? See calculations for basic pensions of Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000
DR hike: On October 28, 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw heralded a notable 3% rise in dearness relief for pensioners, lifting the rate from 60% to 63%. This increase aims to provide substantial financial support to both regular and family pensioners. Those under the Old and Unified Pensioner Schemes will find their monthly pensions adjusted favorably, enhancing financial well-being for many retirees nationwide.
AI can perform the work of 10 people, says Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu, warns of headcount impact
Sridhar Vembu, the visionary behind Zoho, raises alarms regarding the transformative role of AI on computer-related jobs. He posits that one AI-empowered individual might outperform several workers. While acknowledging impending job cuts, he is optimistic about fresh opportunities opening across different sectors. Vembu also points out the soaring costs tied to AI technologies, urging companies to pivot swiftly.
Foreign airlines, Adani Airports deadlocked over Mumbai Airport shift
A meeting between Adani Airports that controls both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports and foreign carriers ended without an agreement after around 90 minutes of discussions. About 50 executives representing almost all the 45 airlines in Mumbai's Airline Operators' Committee attended the meeting, people familiar with the matter said. Airlines sought further details before committing to the move.
Akasa Air hikes pilots' salaries by up to 15% to retain them
The revised pay structure will take effect January 1, 2027, with fixed monthly salaries increasing across all eight pilot grades, from first officers to designated examiners.
Cabinet hikes Dearness Allowance by 3% with Rs 10,000 crore allocation; check key announcements
DA hike: The Union Cabinet has approved several development schemes totaling Rs 29,267 crores for various initiatives. Among these is a Rs 10,016 crore increase in Dearness Allowance for Central government employees. The DA will benefit about 48 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners, with hikes effective from July 1, 2026.
Bengaluru CA's salary rose from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 24 lakh in 5 years: Here's how she did it
Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant Meenal Goel revealed how her annual salary rose from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 24 lakh in five years. After switching companies twice and receiving hikes within the same organisation, her biggest jump came in year five, when her pay increased by approximately 84%. She urged professionals to recognise their worth and seek better compensation.
DA hike for central government employees: Can government announce dearness allowance increase on Wednesday?
DA news: More than 55 lakh central government employees are anticipating a dearness allowance hike announcement soon. The hike is expected to be announced following the cabinet meeting scheduled for October 28, 2026. If approved, the DA rate may increase from 60% to an estimated 63%, resulting in salary increases. Employees are hopeful for the announcement after delayed expectations in previous meetings this month.
Lifestyle inflation: Earning more, saving less? How to enjoy life without sacrificing your financial goals
Find out how lifestyle creep undermines wealth creation and how to enjoy a better standard of living without sacrificing your financial goals.
No additional EPS contribution by government on higher wage ceiling of Rs 25,000; know what it means for your pension
EPS pension: In a recent notification, the central government confirmed that the Employees' Pension Scheme contribution will remain at the current cap of Rs 15,000, despite announcing a new wage ceiling of Rs 25,000. This choice reflects findings from earlier actuarial evaluations pointing to a potential funding shortfall. Additionally, the government has promised supplementary budgetary support to ensure current pension payouts, although sustainability concerns have been voiced in Parliament.
DA hike: Why is there delay in DA hike announcement and when can government make it?
DA hike announcement: Central government employees are eagerly anticipating an announcement regarding a dearness allowance hike, which remains uncertain. The recent weekly meeting, where such an announcement could have taken place, was not convened. In response, the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers staged a protest highlighting the overdue DA hike. While previous discussions centered around performance-linked bonuses, the DA hike was overlooked.
DA hike for central government employees: Can Centre announce dearness allowance on October 21, 2026?
DA hike news: Central government employees are eagerly awaiting a long-overdue increase in their dearness allowance, which was expected to take effect on July 1, 2026. The anticipated hike could boost the DA from 60% to 63%. With growing protests urging timely disclosure, the upcoming cabinet meeting may reveal crucial updates for employees and pensioners. Employee federations are applying pressure, prompting the government to address their concerns promptly.
Home loan getting costlier? How a higher credit score can save you lakhs even when interest rates rise
In today’s competitive lending environment, many homeowners are successfully reducing their mortgage rates thanks to improved credit scores. Higher credit score signals a reliable repayment history, empowering borrowers to negotiate better terms with lenders. Financial experts stress the importance of maintaining a robust credit profile, particularly as interest rates climb. However, some borrowers may be unaware of their negotiating leverage, missing out on substantial savings.
Company townhall and results can tell 2 different tales; here's what to check if you are worried about your next hike or promotion
Keep manager’s reassurance and employer’s financials apart, says Devashish Chakravarty. Every three months, listed companies must disclose important events to the stock exchange and most of them explain their numbers to analysts. Long before you find an email from your HR, the company has already announced its hiring freeze or restructuring plans in its earnings call.
Railway employees to get Rs 17,591 annual bonus: But why other central government employees get just Rs 6,908
Indian Railway annual bonus: The central government has announced a Productivity Linked Bonus for non-gazetted Railway employees for FY 2025-26. Railway employees will receive a bonus calculated at 78 days' basic wages, amounting to Rs 17,951. In contrast, other central government employees receive a significantly lower bonus calculated at 30 days' wages. Various employee associations have demanded an increase in the bonus wage ceiling due to rising inflation.
Social Security raises payroll tax cap to $192,300 for 2027 - Here's who will pay more after COLA announcement
Starting January 2027, American citizens will witness notable changes in their Social Security benefits and payroll taxes. A cost-of-living adjustment of 3.6% will increase average monthly retirement payments by about $75. Furthermore, the payroll tax cap will rise from $184,500 to $192,300, which means both employees and employers will contribute 6.2% for income under the new cap, with larger deductions for those earning more.
India Inc to give 9.1% pay hike in 2027, almost similar to 2026: Aon
In 2027, employees across India Inc are projected to enjoy a salary boost of 9.1%, as reported by Aon Plc. However, the attrition rate has surged to 18% in 2026, a significant rise from previous years. Non-banking financial firms are anticipated to lead the charge with a 10.1% wage increase.
Inflation is up again; should you invest in FDs now or wait for interest rates to rise further? Check what a 1% hike means for your Rs 2 lakh FD
FD rate hike: In September 2026, retail inflation soared to 5.54%, sparking opinions about the possibility of interest rate hikes on fixed deposits. Analysts predict that the Reserve Bank of India may persist in raising the repo rate to combat persistent inflation. Investors must decide whether to invest now or postpone for possibly better FD rates.
8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Can Level 10 employees get Rs 34 lakh extra basic pay at 7% increment rate in 10 years?
8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission has completed discussions in Bengaluru and will move to Mumbai soon. On October 22 and 23, 2026, meetings will occur with various employee and pensioners' organsations. Stakeholders are advocating for an increase in the annual increment from 3% to between 5% and 7%. The proposed changes aim to improve salaries significantly over the next decade for employees in Levels 8 to 10.
Zoho skips pay hikes, cites raised AI costs and geopolitical backdrop
In a recent statement, Zoho's founder Sridhar Vembu announced that the company will not implement salary hikes for its employees. This decision stems from the soaring costs associated with artificial intelligence and notably increased server prices. Vembu also pointed to the current challenging geopolitical circumstances affecting their financial strategy. Despite a steady growth rate of approximately 12 percent, the prospect of layoffs looms as new revenue streams have diminished significantly.
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