Last Updated:November 14, 2025, 09:16 IST

Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, are poised for a weak start on Friday, mirroring the sharp sell-off seen in global markets

Indian equity benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty, are poised for a weak start on Friday, mirroring the sharp sell-off seen in global markets. Investor sentiment remains cautious ahead of the Bihar assembly election results, which will be announced today. At 8:45 AM, GIFT Nifty Futures were trading at 25,899.5, down 23.5 points.

Global Cues

Across Asia, markets slipped in early trade after Wall Street closed sharply lower, with technology stocks facing renewed pressure amid uncertainty over potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 1.5 per cent, South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 2.03 per cent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 1.23 per cent.

In the US, major indices tumbled on Thursday as AI-linked stocks dragged the broader market amid ongoing valuation concerns. The S&P 500 fell 1.7 per cent, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.3 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.7 per cent.

Aparna Deb

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a…Read More

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a… Read More

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Last Updated:November 14, 2025, 07:00 IST

Children’s Day 2025 highlights rising education costs and urges parents to invest early via Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, PPF, NSC, ULIPs, and etc.

Children’s Day 2025: Top Plans to Build and Secure Your Child’s Financial Future

Children’s Day 2025: A great concern for every parent/guardian is to provide a good education to their children, so they can stand on their own. Rising costs and inflation are making it difficult to afford a quality education for their children. Thus, it makes sense for parents to begin investing/saving from the early days when the child is small in order to build a good corpus, which will help pay the child’s expenditures when they grow up.

Every scheme comes with its own structure, features, and way of working. So, understanding how each one functions is key to investing wisely and helping you meet long-term goals.

Mutual Fund Investment For Your Child

Parents can help child open demat account to invest in mutual fund schemes. The guardian can set up Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and manage mutual fund investments on behalf of their children. However, payments for mutual fund investments must be made from the child’s bank account.

Income earned by a minor from investments, such as capital gains and dividends, is generally clubbed with the income of the higher-earning parent. The parent is responsible for paying taxes on this combined income.

Once the child attains the age of maturity (18-year-old), the account must be converted to an individual account with fresh KYC documentation.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

It is a government-sponsored savings scheme for small deposits that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched in 2015. As part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, this scheme helps parents or guardians pay for their girl child’s expenditures. SSY’s main objectives are to support girls’ interests in study and lessen the financial strain of marriage.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

If you already have a PPF account in your name, you can open another one in your child’s name. The maximum amount that can be deposited into both the parent and minor accounts in a single year is Rs 1.5 lakh. In addition to your account, open a PPF child account in your child’s name and continue to make contributions to both.

National Savings Certificate (NSC)

The NSC is a fixed-income plan that is easy to open with any post office and saves income tax. It is an initiative of the Government of India. An NSC account must be opened with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000 and a monthly contribution in multiples of Rs 100. NSC accounts do not have a maximum investment limit. Anyone can choose to invest in an NSC, including children ages 10 and up. Parents or legal guardians may also make investments on a minor’s behalf.

ULIPs for Children

Child ULIPs, also known as unit-linked insurance plans, are specifically acquired for children. In addition to insurance coverage, these plans include investment opportunities to help accumulate money for the child’s future needs. There may be five-year lock-in periods for child ULIPs. Before choosing a term length, think about how long you’ll need the coverage. Popular terms are 20 or 30 years. Based on the chosen fund type, the funds are distributed across debt and equity securities.

Varun Yadav

Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More

Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More

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A trade union has urged the Chancellor not to “sacrifice” oil and gas workers and ease the windfall tax at the Budget this month.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, has written to Rachel Reeves to urge her to cut the levy – which was placed on the industry by the last government and extended since Labour took office last year – saying that every day an oil and gas worker is out of a job is a “Government failure”.

Many in the industry and opposition politicians have warned that the 38% charge on the profits of firms were risking investment and jobs.

“While oil and gas workers are forced to leave the industry or follow work abroad, there is little sign of the renewables jobs meant to replace them, not in the UK at least,” she said.

“Every day an oil and gas worker spends out of work is a Government failure and there is both an economic and a moral case for action.

“Energy workers must be supported through the transition, not sacrificed to it.”

She added: “Of course, we must encourage and adopt new renewable sources of energy but our transition need not be so rushed and self-harming.

“Promised UK jobs with terms and conditions even close to matching those in oil and gas have yet to be created and any hope of a successful transition rests on their experience and expertise and the financial strength of their companies helping build the energy infrastructure of tomorrow.

“This will be impossible if ministers fail to protect our oil and gas sector while mapping a measured, planned and successful transition to net zero.”

Ms Gilmour also hit out at the shuttering of the Grangemouth oil refinery earlier this year, describing it as both “needless” and the dismantling of a “bulwark of UK energy security”.

“For years to come, we will need oil and gas to heat our homes and power our industries,” the union leader said.

“If we need it, and we have it, then we should produce it and allow workers to build families and communities on a successful and lucrative industry capable of underpinning energy supplies.”

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.