Week of 4 August 2026

1. 1

   Home & Property · Affects everyone

   RBI holds the repo rate at 5.25% for a third meeting

   What this means for youNothing changes on your EMI this month. But at 8.5 percent, a ₹50 lakh loan over 20 years costs about ₹43,400 a month and roughly ₹54 lakh in total interest, more than the loan itself. If your lender is charging above 8.75 percent while the repo rate is flat, you are paying a spread you can negotiate or refinance away. That is the action item, not the rate decision.
   See it on a ₹50 lakh, 20-year loanFull story
2. 2

   Banking & Savings · Affects everyone

   PPF stays at 7.1% as small savings rates hold for a ninth quarter

   What this means for youIf you are in the 30 percent tax bracket, PPF at 7.1 percent tax-free is equivalent to a taxable deposit paying about 10.1 percent, which nothing on the market offers. Fill your PPF before any taxable fixed deposit. One timing detail worth money: deposit on or before the 5th of the month and that month's interest counts, deposit on the 6th and it does not.
   Compare a taxable FD after TDSFull story
3. 3

   Tax · Affects some

   Missed the 31 July ITR deadline? Here is what a belated return costs

   What this means for youFile now rather than in December. On ₹40,000 of unpaid tax, Section 234A interest adds about ₹400 a month, so five months of delay costs roughly ₹2,000 on top of the ₹5,000 late fee. If you are due a refund instead, there is no interest penalty, but every week you wait is a week the government holds your money. Check which regime you should have picked before you file, because the choice is locked once the belated return goes in.
   Check old vs new regime before you fileFull story

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