By ArthaShala Financial Desk | Updated: November 7, 2026 | ✓ Verified Against RBI Directions (RBI/2025-26/82 & Oct 2026 Master Directions) Losing a parent, spouse, or family member is emotionally devastating. Fighting a bank branch for their life savings shouldn't be your second tragedy. Every day across India, grieving families walk into bank branches holding an original Death Certificate—only to be sent on a months-long runaround. Uninformed branch officers routinely demand court Succession Certificates even when a valid nominee is registered, insist on wealthy third-party sureties, or leave safe deposit locker claims gathering dust for months. Here is the regulatory weapon banks rarely advertise: Under the Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025 (fully enforced across all banks in 2026), your bank is legally required to settle deposit and locker clai...
In the evolving landscape of the Indian economy, the term "Minimum Income" for Income Tax Return (ITR) filing is often misunderstood. For students and interns managing a mix of stipends, freelance gigs, and investment interest, the distinction between being " tax-exempt " and being "required to file" is critical. This guide breaks down the mandatory thresholds and the latest Budget 2025 updates for FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27) . 1. The Core Rule: When is ITR Filing Mandatory? You must file an ITR if your Total Income (before deductions) exceeds the basic exemption limit of your chosen tax regime. Additionally, specific "high-value triggers" under the 7th Proviso of Section 139(1) can mandate filing even if your income is zero. Understanding these ITR filing rules for students is essential to avoid notices from the department. Gen-Z guide to man...