The Punjab government has announced a 3% hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners ahead of Diwali, taking the total DA rate to 53% from the existing 50%. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the decision on Wednesday, November 4, saying it would benefit around 8 lakh government employees and pensioners across…
Shopping rewards are not limited to instant discounts, cashback and bank reward points. Some platforms also offer rewards in the form of gold and Bitcoin, allowing consumers to accumulate small quantities of these assets against eligible purchases. Unlike conventional cashback, however, the value of asset-linked rewards can fluctuate with market prices. Here is what consumers…
Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted estimated net investments of around ₹3,300 crore in October, while their assets under management (AUM) rose to ₹1.91 lakh crore, compared with ₹1.58 lakh crore in April. Gold prices have consolidated in recent months, with the metal witnessing a decline of nearly 12% over the last six months. The movement…
Gold and silver remain important purchases during Dhanteras, with consumer interest spanning jewellery, coins and other traditional items. However, changing gold prices, evolving jewellery preferences and household budgets are also influencing festive buying decisions. Online searches for silver jewellery increased 47% across India during November 2025-October 2026 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier,…
Gold and silver prices rebounded on Wednesday, November 4, ahead of Dhanteras, with both precious metals gaining amid weakness in the US dollar and changes in global market sentiment following the US midterm elections. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), December gold futures were trading at ₹1.42 lakh per 10 grams, up 2.36%, while December…
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced a four-layer structure for motor insurance policies covering private cars and two-wheelers, effective December 15. The new framework will allow vehicle owners to select insurance covers based on their requirements instead of having to opt for multiple covers together. Under the revised structure, liability…
Diwali is a time for families to come together, light diyas and celebrate with loved ones. While everyone hopes the festivities pass without incident, it is useful to know what home insurance covers in case an unfortunate fire accident damages a house or its belongings. A standard home insurance policy that includes fire as an…
Binance has disclosed details of a major security incident on October 29, 2026, in which approximately $6.34 billion in digital assets were impacted. The cryptocurrency exchange said attackers gained unauthorised access to its internal wallet signing infrastructure and used it to transfer assets outside the normal withdrawal process. In its initial incident report released on…
Gold purchases tend to gather momentum around Dhanteras, an occasion that holds both cultural and financial importance for Indian households. While jewellery remains a popular choice, many buyers also opt for coins and bars as a way of accumulating wealth. Gold’s appeal extends beyond tradition, with investors often turning to the metal to protect their…
Bitcoin traded around $76,800 on November 4, as continued outflows from US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and uncertainty surrounding the US midterm elections kept investor sentiment cautious. Bitcoin slipped 0.36% to $76,843, while Ethereum edged up 0.06% to $2,259, according to Purvang Mashru, Lead Analyst at BitDelta India. Among the top 10 cryptocurrencies, six…
