The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday said the government has directed banks handling government receipts and payments to remain open on 31 March 2026, to ensure that all government transactions are accounted for within the current financial year.This year, 31 March will be observed as a public holiday in several regions, including as a regional holiday for Mahavir Jayanti in India. As per the RBI’s calendar of bank holidays, the day has been marked as a bank holiday in parts of the country.However, in ...

Core Insights - The credit-deposit (CD) ratio of scheduled commercial banks reached 81.75% on December 31, 2025, marking the highest level since 2000-01, indicating efficient fund deployment in loans [1] Group 1: CD Ratio Trends - CD ratios typically rise during periods of booming credit and increasing economic activity, although the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cautioned against excessively high ratios without specifying an ideal level [2] - Over the last two decades, private sector banks have consistently maintained higher CD ratios compared to public sector banks (PSBs), with the gap widening in recent years [3][4] - The divergence in CD ratios is attributed to the differing credit and deposit profiles of private and public sector banks, with private banks being more aggressive in loan book expansion and deposit mobilization [4] Group 2: Growth Rates - From 2022-23 to 2024-25, PSBs experienced deposit growth of 8-9.5% and credit growth of 12-14.5%, while private banks saw deposit growth ranging from 12-20% and credit growth fluctuating between 9.5% and 28% [4][5] - The higher volatility in credit and deposit growth for private banks has resulted in significantly higher CD ratios compared to PSBs, which benefit from a stable deposit base [5] Group 3: Individual Bank Cases - Legacy factors have influenced the CD ratios of specific private banks, such as HDFC Bank, which inherited a large loan book post-merger without corresponding deposits, resulting in a CD ratio of 110% [8][9] - IDFC First Bank also faced a high CD ratio of 137% at the time of its merger, which was subsequently reduced to 94.7% by September 2025 [9] Group 4: Risks and Current Status - A CD ratio above 80% can lead to tighter liquidity, reliance on higher-cost borrowings, and potential deterioration in loan quality [19] - Despite the rising CD ratios, current indicators show that non-performing assets (NPAs) are at multi-decade lows, and liquidity coverage ratios exceed the benchmark, suggesting that the banking system remains healthy [20] Group 5: Future Considerations - The increasing reliance on non-deposit sources such as borrowings indicates a shift in funding dynamics, prompting discussions among bankers about modifying the CD ratio to include these sources [23]

The benchmark The rally added over about Rs 13 lakh crore in investor pockets within 15 minutes of early trade, with the total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies surging to Rs 468.32 lakh crore.Here’s what’s behind the massive rally: India-US Trade Deal Following months of negotiation, India and the US signed a trade deal after US President Donald Trump said the US would reduce reciprocal tariffs on India to 18%, a sharp reduction from the earlier 50%, while India would also move to cut tariffs ...

Minutes after US President Donald Trump announced that India and United States have agreed to a trade deal, GIFT Nifty futures rose 3.8%. Minutes after US President Donald Trump announced that India and United States have agreed to a trade deal, GIFT Nifty Futures rose 3.8%. The futures contract based on the benchmark Nifty 50 as of 11:21 p.m. was trading 821 points higher at 25,950.In addition, US-listed iShares MSCI India ETF hit session highs and was up as much as 2.4%. The rupee also rallied in the offs ...

Market Performance - Stock markets rebounded with the BSE Sensex rising by 943.52 points or 1.17% to settle at 81,666.46 after a significant drop on Budget day [3][10] - The NSE Nifty increased by 262.95 points or 1.06% to end at 25,088.40, with a peak of 1,009.31 points during the day [4][5] Sector Performance - Blue-chip stocks in oil & gas, banking, and auto sectors saw value buying, contributing to the market recovery [3][11] - Power Grid surged by 7.61% and Adani Ports climbed by 4.76%, indicating strong performance among key players [4][7] Economic Indicators - A sharp decline in global crude oil prices, with Brent crude dropping 4.88% to USD 65.94 per barrel, provided relief to the markets [12][14] - The Union Budget for 2026-27, amounting to Rs 53.5 lakh crore, aims to boost manufacturing and support agriculture and tourism, reflecting a long-term growth strategy [8][9] Investor Activity - Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 588.34 crore on Sunday, indicating cautious sentiment in the market [5][12] - Despite the sell-off, the market showed signs of recovery as participants recalibrated positions following the Budget day decline [13]

Group 1 - The document contains various references to tax-related topics, including excise duty changes, income tax return forms, and due dates for tax filings [1][2] - There are mentions of specific tax rates and exemptions, such as the reduction in excise duty and the introduction of new tax forms [1][2] - The document highlights the importance of compliance with tax regulations and the implications of late filings or incorrect submissions [1][2] Group 2 - The content discusses the impact of budget announcements on various sectors, including changes in tax rates and the introduction of new financial products [1][2] - There are references to financial planning and investment strategies, indicating a focus on optimizing tax liabilities through various financial instruments [1][2] - The document also addresses the significance of understanding tax laws and regulations for effective financial management [1][2]

. SECURITIES,5,(MNP),2,(TDS)2007-08,1,`,1,01.07.12,23,01.09.2008,1,01.10.2012,2,06.07.2009,3,07.08.2012,1,1 PERCENT EXCISE ITEMS LIST,2,1 sep,1,1% excise,2,10 year nsc,7,10(10C),1,10(10D),1,10(11),1,10(12),1,1000 court cases judgements supplied to ITO,7,1000 rupee note,3,11-2008,1,11-2010,1,111A,4,130 items,1,14.08.2008,1,15 august,2,150 Rs coin,2,15g,14,15h,15,18-12-2009,1,192(1A),5,192A,2,194 I,4,194 IA,1,194A,7,194c from 01.10.2009,7,194H,6,194j,15,194LC,3,194N,1,194O,1,194q,2,1981-2007,2,2% cst,1,2% exc ...

Key Changes in Banking Services - State Bank of India (SBI) will revise service charges on certain IMPS transactions starting February 15, 2026. For online IMPS transfers above ₹25,000 and up to ₹1 lakh, a charge of ₹2 plus GST will apply. Transfers exceeding ₹1 lakh and up to ₹2 lakh will incur a fee of ₹6 plus GST, while transactions above ₹2 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh will cost ₹10 plus GST [4][6] - ICICI Bank will discontinue the complimentary movie benefit via BookMyShow on select credit cards from February 1, 2026. The bank will also adjust reward point earnings on transport and insurance spends across various card variants [4][6] - HDFC Bank will implement changes to its credit card program from February 1, 2026, revising reward point redemption rules for its Infinia metal credit card to a maximum of five redemptions per month [4][6] KYC Compliance Update - Punjab National Bank (PNB) has issued an alert for customers to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) details in accordance with RBI guidelines. Customers whose KYC is due as of December 31, 2025, must complete the update by February 2, 2026, or face potential restrictions on account operations [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - In February 2026, significant banking and card-related changes will be implemented, affecting transactions, credit card usage, and compliance for customers of major Indian banks like State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank [1] Group 1: Changes in Banking Services - Revised service charges on IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) transfers will be introduced, impacting transaction costs for customers [1] - Updates in credit card benefits are expected, which may alter the value proposition for cardholders [1] - New Know Your Customer (KYC) update rules will be enforced, affecting compliance requirements for customers [1]

Market Performance - Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower, with Sensex declining by 296.59 points or 0.36% to settle at 82,269.78 and Nifty dropping by 98.25 points or 0.39% to end at 25,320.65 [3][5] - The decline was attributed to weakness in metal and IT stocks, as well as caution ahead of the upcoming Budget presentation on February 1 [5][6] Sector Performance - Tata Steel experienced the largest decline among Sensex firms, falling by 4.57%, while other laggards included ICICI Bank, Power Grid, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Kotak Mahindra Bank [4] - Conversely, Mahindra & Mahindra, State Bank of India, ITC, and Bharat Electronics were among the gainers [4] Foreign and Domestic Investment - Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 393.97 crore, while domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 2,638.76 crore [4][5] Economic Outlook - India's economy is projected to grow by 6.8-7.2% in the upcoming fiscal year, maintaining its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy despite global trade risks [7]