1. RBI’s New Monetary Policy Team

What’s New?

A new team (MPC) was formed on 1 October 2024 to manage India’s money policies.

Who’s in the Team?

RBI Governor (Leader)
RBI Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy Expert)
3 External Members: Prof. Ram Singh (DSE), Shri Saugata Bhattacharya (Economist), Dr. Nagesh Kumar(Institute for Studies in Industrial Development)
Term: 4 years

2. NPS Vatsalya: Pension for Kids 👧👦

What is it?
A pension plan for children to start saving early.

Key Features:

Who can join? Kids below 18 (including NRIs/OCIs).
Minimum Payment: ₹1,000/year.
Withdrawal Rules:
Before 18: Take 25% (only in emergencies).
At 18:
- 20% cash + 80% pension (if savings > ₹2.5 lakh).
- Full cash (if savings < ₹2.5 lakh).

How to Join?

Online: Use eNPS portal → Choose ‘NPS Vatsalya’.
Offline: Visit banks like SBI, HDFC, etc.

Goal: Teach kids to save for the future! 🚀

3. GIFT IFSC: List Your Company Globally 🌍

What is GIFT IFSC?
A financial hub in Gujarat for Indian/foreign companies to raise funds globally.

Benefits:

List shares/bonds on international markets.
Tax savings and fast approvals.
Great for startups and tech firms.

Rule: Companies must sell 10% shares to the public.

4. 📋 New Tax Rules 2025

Feature / Rule	What’s New (Budget 2025)	Key Point to Remember
Tax-Free Income Threshold	Income up to ₹ 12 lakh per year → No income tax	Middle-class relief: “Up to 12L → zero tax” Press Information Bureau+1
For Salaried Individuals (with standard deduction)	With ₹ 75,000 standard deduction → income up to ₹ 12.75 lakh becomes tax-free	“12.75L with standard deduction” Press Information Bureau+1
New Tax Slab Rates (New Regime 2025-26)	< 4L → 0% 4–8L → 5% 8–12L → 10% 12–16L → 15% 16–20L → 20% 20–24L → 25% >24L → 30% cleartax+1	Slabs simplified; easy to memorize blocks
Rebate under Section 87A (New Regime)	Rebate such that tax on income up to ₹ 12L becomes zero	“87A → rebate makes 0 tax up to 12L” cleartax+1
Standard Deduction (Salaried)	₹ 75,000 allowed (as usual)	Helps push effective tax-free limit to 12.75L for salary income Press Information Bureau+1
Old Regime Slabs → No change	Old regime remains same (as before Budget)	Taxpayers may choose old regime if exemptions/deductions justify it Income Tax India+1
Who benefits most	Middle-class salaried persons earning ~₹ 6–12.75 L, small business owners with low deductions	Simple structure, less paperwork, lower tax burden TaxGuru+1
When to pick Old Regime	If you have high deductions (home loan interest, HRA, 80C/80D investments, etc.)	Compare both before finalizing tax regime Policybazaar+1
Effective date	FY 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27 onward)	Applicable from 1 April 2025 income onwards India Budget+1

🧠 Simple Mnemonics & Memory Tricks

“12-Zero” → Up to ₹ 12 lakh → Zero tax (under new regime)
“4-8-12-16-20-24->24 : 0-5-10-15-20-25-30” → Slab-to-rate mapping
“12.75-Salaried-Safe” → Salaried + ₹ 75,000 standard deduction → tax-free up to ₹ 12.75 lakh
Rule of thumb to choose regime:
- Low deductions / moderate income (≤12–13 L) → New Regime
- High deductions / investments / home loan etc. → Old Regime

✅ “At-a-Glance” Cheat-Sheet

UPTO ₹ 12 L → NIL TAX  
Salaried + Std Dedn → UPTO 12.75 L → NIL TAX
Slab (₹ L): 0-4 / 4-8 / 8-12 / 12-16 / 16-20 / 20-24 / >24
Rate (%):      0   5    10     15      20       25     30
Choose New Regime if no heavy deductions; else old regime remains.
Standard Dedn ₹ 75,000; 87A Rebate → Full rebate up to 12 L

Extra Benefits:

Salaried people: Save ₹75,000 (standard deduction).
Family pension: Save ₹25,000.

5. Faster Stock Settlements (T+0) ⚡

What is T+0?

Stocks bought today → Money received same day.

Why it’s good?

Less risk, lower costs.
Works for 25 popular stocks.

6. Important Insurance Companies 🏦

LIC (Life Insurance)
GIC (General Insurance)
New India Assurance

7. Safer NPS Accounts 🔒

New Rule: Use Aadhaar + OTP for NPS login.

8. Easier Debt Solutions 📜

Simplified rules to help individuals and businesses resolve unpaid loans or debts faster.

Key Changes:

Faster closures of failed companies.
Help for stuck real estate projects (e.g., unfinished homes).
Simpler rules for personal guarantors (people who promise to repay others’ loans).

Example: If a builder can’t finish a housing project, new rules help buyers either get their money back or ensure the project is completed. 🏗️💡

Goal: Reduce stress, save time, and protect people’s money!

9. Faster Global Payments 🌐

What is SWIFT GPI? (Global Payments Innovation)

A fast and trackable system for sending money across borders.

Key Benefits:
✅ Speed: Payments arrive in <24 hours (often instantly!).
✅ Trackable: Like a “live GPS” for your money – know where it is!
✅ Transparent Fees: No hidden charges – see fees upfront.

Example: Sending ₹1 lakh to the USA? SWIFT GPI lets you track it like an Amazon package! 🌍💸

(Used by 4,500+ banks globally.)

10. Remote Trading in GIFT IFSC 🖥️

It allows investors to trade (buy/sell) on GIFT City’s international stock exchanges from anywhere in India using digital platforms. No need to visit Gujarat physically!