best 80C investments 2026

How does UPI work?

A UPI payment generally connects your bank account to a supported UPI app. You can use a UPI ID, QR code, mobile number or other supported payment method to initiate a transaction.

What do you need?

• A bank account linked to the service.
• A supported UPI application.
• A registered mobile number.
• A UPI PIN for authorised transactions.

Where is UPI used?

UPI can be used for person-to-person transfers, merchant payments, online purchases, bill payments and other supported digital transactions.

Important to remember

Never share your UPI PIN, OTP or banking credentials with another person. A legitimate payment does not require you to reveal your UPI PIN to someone else.

What is GST?

GST is collected at different stages of the supply chain. Businesses may collect GST from customers and account for eligible input tax credits according to applicable rules.

CGST, SGST and IGST

• CGST applies to the central component of certain intra-state supplies.
• SGST applies to the state component of certain intra-state supplies.
• IGST generally applies to inter-state supplies.

Simple example

If a taxable product has a GST rate applicable to its transaction, GST is added according to the relevant tax rules and the seller reports the transaction as required.

Why does GST matter?

GST provides a common framework for indirect taxation across India, while specific rates, exemptions, registration requirements and compliance rules vary according to the applicable provisions.

Using the EPFO Passbook service

Members can use the EPFO member passbook service, sign in with the required credentials and view available contribution and balance information.

Other available methods

• EPFO member passbook services.
• UMANG services where supported.
• Other official EPFO-supported member services.

What information may appear?

Depending on the service, members may see contribution entries, employer contributions, employee contributions and other available account information.

Stay safe

Use official EPFO services and avoid sharing passwords, OTPs or other confidential account information with unknown websites or individuals.

How does FASTag work?

When a vehicle passes through a supported toll plaza, the FASTag can be read electronically and the applicable toll amount is processed through the linked account.

Why is it useful?

• Electronic toll payment.
• Less dependence on cash transactions.
• Faster processing at supported toll lanes.
• Transaction records through the linked account.

What should users check?

Keep the FASTag correctly affixed to the vehicle, maintain sufficient balance and ensure the associated account and vehicle information remains valid.

Important

Toll charges, exemptions, account rules and operational requirements can vary according to applicable regulations and the relevant toll system.

What makes up an EMI?

An EMI generally includes part of the outstanding principal and applicable interest. The exact amount depends on factors such as loan amount, interest rate and tenure.

Important factors

• Loan principal.
• Interest rate.
• Loan tenure.
• Repayment schedule and applicable charges.

Simple example

Suppose you borrow money for a fixed period. Instead of repaying the entire principal at once, the loan is repaid through scheduled instalments according to the agreed terms.

Does EMI always mean the same interest?

Not necessarily. Loan products can use different interest structures and repayment schedules. Always check the lender's agreement for the actual terms.

Why do companies launch IPOs?

Companies may raise capital through an IPO for purposes such as business expansion, investment, debt-related needs or other objectives described in their offer documents.

What happens in an IPO?

• The company prepares required documents.
• The issue terms are announced.
• Eligible investors can apply during the issue period.
• Shares are allotted according to applicable rules.

What is listing?

After the relevant process is completed, shares may be listed on a stock exchange, allowing eligible investors to trade them subject to market rules.

What should investors read?

Investors should review the company's official offer documents, financial information, risks, issue details and applicable disclosures before making any investment decision.

What is AI?

AI refers to technologies that enable computer systems to perform tasks that traditionally require aspects of human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognising patterns or making predictions.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning allows systems to learn patterns from data and use those patterns to make predictions, classifications or other outputs.

Everyday examples

• Recommendation systems.
• Spam filtering.
• Speech recognition.
• Image recognition.
• Language-processing applications.

AI vs Machine Learning

AI is the broader concept. Machine Learning is one of the important techniques used to build AI systems. Other AI approaches can also exist outside traditional machine-learning systems.

What is a share?

A share represents a unit of ownership in a company. The rights and benefits associated with shares depend on the type of security and applicable company rules.

How does trading work?

Investors generally use a broker or authorised platform to place orders. Orders can be matched according to the exchange's trading system and applicable market rules.

Why do prices change?

Market prices can change because of supply and demand, company information, economic conditions, investor expectations and many other factors.

Important to understand

Stock-market investments involve risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should research securities carefully and consider their own circumstances before investing.