Skip to main content

Posts

How to Avoid TDS on Internship Stipend: Form 15G Guide (2026)

Mastering Form 15G: How Indian students can save their internship stipend from TDS deductions. ⚠️ Disclaimer: Form 15G केवल तभी वैध है जब छात्र की कुल वार्षिक आय करयोग्य सीमा से कम हो। The 10% Heartbreak: Where Did Your First Stipend Go? You worked hard for a month. Your offer letter promised ₹15,000 . You eagerly check your bank account, and you only received ₹13,500 . You just became a victim of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) . But as a student, do you really have to pay this? Absolutely not. The Truth About Stipend Taxability in India Whether you are doing a high-end corporate gig, running content networks like the Sahityashala Network , or getting paid to write technical analysis for Sahityashala Sports , companies will often treat your internship stipend as a "professional fee." Under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, companies are mandated to deduct a 10% TDS on professional and technical services. However, if your total ...

Form 16 vs Form 16A for Interns: Stipend Taxability & TDS Refund Guide

Navigating the transition from student to professional is challenging, especially when the financial paperwork arrives. If you’ve recently completed an internship, you are likely staring at your bank statement or a confusing email from HR, wondering about taxes. In the volatile economic climate of 2026, where every rupee counts, understanding your tax documents is as crucial as understanding market trends and recession risks . Whether you are a summer intern, a research fellow, or a corporate trainee, the confusion between Form 16 vs Form 16A is a rite of passage. Visual Breakdown: Why employees receive Form 16 (Salary) while most interns receive Form 16A (Non-Salary/Stipend). This guide cuts through the jargon to tell you exactly what you will receive, why you probably won't get a standard salary certificate, and how to cla...

Is the 2026 Recession Real? The Ultimate Survival Guide for Indian Students

Introduction: The "R-Word" Returns – Panic or Preparation? As we settle into the mid-2020s, a familiar spectre is haunting headlines: The 2026 Recession . For Indian students, this isn't just macroeconomic jargon; it’s a personal anxiety. Will campus placements freeze? Is that master’s degree abroad still a safe bet? Will education loans become unmanageable? Here is the short answer up front: A global recession in 2026 is not a foregone conclusion. While risks remain, major international institutions see a mix of cooling inflation and stabilizing growth. More importantly, India is widely expected to be a growth outlier. However, "growth" on a GDP chart doesn't always translate to "jobs" on campus immediately. Financial markets are forward-looking, and ripples from a global slowdown can impact your stipend, tuition costs, and career start. This guide cuts through the noise. We analyze the real...

How to Claim TDS Refund Without CA: Complete Student ITR Guide 2026

Claiming a TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) refund often sounds like a nightmare for students. When you see that 10% of your hard-earned internship stipend or freelance income has been vanished, the first advice you usually hear is, " Hire a CA. " But here is the truth the industry doesn't tell you: If you are a student with basic income, you do not need a Chartered Accountant. You can claim your 100% refund legally, safely, and independently in less than 20 minutes. Why pay a CA ₹2,000 when you can claim your full refund yourself for free? This evergreen guide is designed specifically for students, interns, and freelancers. We will walk you through the entire process—from checking your tax credits to seeing the refund hit your bank account. Whether you plan to save that money or invest it in your first demat ...

Best Zero Balance Savings Bank Account for Students — 2026 (Deep, Practical Guide)

Best Zero Balance Savings Bank Account for Students — 2026 (Deep, Practical Guide) Students need simple, low-cost banking that’s mobile-first, secure, and forgiving of small balances. Here is the definitive guide for 2026. Introduction In 2026, the market still favors zero-balance digital accounts that combine no minimum-balance maintenance with student-friendly features: easy KYC, low charges, a usable debit card (or virtual card), UPI, and discounts on study tools or partner services. This guide explains what to compare, lists the top picks for Indian students in 2026, gives step-by-step account-opening guidance, and finishes with practical recommendations. A student enjoying a stress-free, digital-first zero-balance savings account. Wherever I cite a bank’s features, I rely on official data or trusted aggre...

Upstox Review 2026: Safe for Students? Hidden Charges & Real Truth Revealed

Upstox Review 2026: The Honest Truth for Indian Students & Beginners Navigating the world of stockbrokers in India can feel like walking through a minefield of hidden charges and flashy marketing. For students and first-time investors, the choice often boils down to finding a platform that balances low costs with high reliability. Enter Upstox —a tech-first discount broker that has aggressively positioned itself as the go-to app for the " mobile-first " generation. But is it actually the right tool for your financial journey, or just another app gamifying your savings? In this detailed breakdown, we strip away the marketing hype to analyze Upstox’s fees, safety, and suitability for the student portfolio. Upstox Pro Web offers advanced charting for students learning technical analysis. Upstox in One Line (for students) Upstox is a tech-first Indian discount broker + investing platform that targets low-friction onboarding,...