The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare under Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions has issued clarification regarding coverage of offices for payment of gratuity to the Central Government Servant.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) had issued OM on 30 May 2024 enhancing the maximum limit of the gratuity from Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs to the central government civilian employees covered under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 and the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021.

DoPPW said that it keeps receiving references/RTI applications etc seeking clarification whether the above referred OM/payment of gratuity under CCS (Pension) Rules is applicable on societies, banks, ports trusts, RBI, PSU, autonomous bodies, Universities State Governments etc and if not under which rules these organisations are governed.

“It is stated that Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is the nodal Department for formulation of policies relating to pension and other retirement benefits of Central Government civil employees covered under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 and Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021. These rules are not applicable on types of organisations as mentioned in para 2 above. It is further stated that any query on the subject including one i.e. under which rules such organisations are governed should be addressed to the concerned organisation / concerned administrative Ministry/Department.”

The OM clarified that enhanced gratuity does not apply to societies, banks, ports trusts, RBI, PSU, autonomous bodies, Universities State Governments etc and if not under which rules these organisations are governed. It implied that only those central government civil servants who fall under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021 will receive a maximum gratuity of up to Rs 25 lakh.

Stock market recommendations: According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities, the top stock picks for this week are Cummins India, and Blue Star. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the Diwali week starting October 27, 2025:Nifty View:The benchmark index Nifty has delivered a strong performance through October, advancing over 1500 points from its low of 24588 in just 15 trading sessions. This sharp upward move was driven by festive optimism, steady domestic inflows, and supportive global cues, reflecting a robust bullish sentiment.During the Diwali week, the index approached its all-time high, raising expectations of a breakout. However, it failed to sustain the momentum and encountered profit booking, indicating a shift in investor sentiment following the rapid rise.This slowdown has led to the emergence of a Shooting Star-like candlestick pattern on the weekly chart, which typically signals a potential reversal or exhaustion in the prevailing trend. The pattern suggests that while buyers attempted to push prices higher, they faced resistance. A confirmation candle, usually a bearish follow-through, will be essential to validate this reversal signal.From a momentum perspective, the daily RSI had reached a high of 72.69, indicating overbought conditions. It has since declined to 67.19 and is currently trending lower, reinforcing the cautious outlook.At the same time, market participants are closely monitoring developments around the India-US trade deal, which could serve as a key trigger for the next directional move. A favourable outcome may revive bullish sentiment and fuel further upside.In terms of technical levels, the 25550–25500 zone is expected to act as a strong support, as it coincides with the 13-day EMA and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the recent rally from 24588 to 26104. On the upside, the 25950–26000 zone remains a critical resistance. A sustained move above 26000 could pave the way for a rally towards 26300.With technical indicators cooling off and macro factors in play, the coming sessions will be crucial in determining whether this is a temporary pause or the beginning of a broader correction.Bank Nifty ViewThe banking index Bank Nifty registered a new all-time high on Thursday, reflecting strong sectoral momentum and investor confidence. However, the index was unable to hold above the critical 58500 mark, and soon after, it experienced profit booking, indicating a temporary shift in sentiment following the sharp rally.This pullback has resulted in the formation of a Shooting Star candlestick pattern on the weekly chart, a technical signal that often points to trend exhaustion. The pattern suggests that while buyers attempted to push prices higher, they encountered resistance, leading to a potential pause or reversal in the ongoing uptrend.Adding to the cautious outlook, the daily RSI has also weakened. After reaching a high of 76, the RSI has now given a bearish crossover and is trending lower, typically indicating a cooling-off in momentum and the possibility of a consolidation phase.With Bank Nifty at a crucial juncture, market participants will be closely watching for confirmation signals in the coming sessions. Whether this is a brief pause or the beginning of a broader correction will depend on price action over the next few trading days.From a technical standpoint, the 57000–56900 zone is expected to act as key support, as it aligns with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent rally. On the upside, the 58200–58300 zone remains a critical resistance area. A sustained move above 58300 could pave the way for a sharp rally towards 59000, and potentially 59500, in the short term.Stock recommendations:Cummins IndiaCUMMINSIND had been consolidating in a 3830–4030 range since early October, forming a series of small-bodied candles that indicated indecision among traders. The stock broke out of this range on Thursday, and the move was followed by strong follow-through buying in Friday’s session, confirming bullish momentum. With Friday’s close, Cummins India has moved above the upper band of the Bollinger Bands, reflecting heightened buying strength. Moreover, the MACD has given a bullish crossover above its signal line, accompanied by rising histogram bars, which indicates increasing positive momentum and suggests the potential for further upside in the near term. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 4190-4170 with a stoploss of 4050. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 4500 in the short term.Blue StarBLUESTARCO recently broke out of a downward sloping trendline, signalling a shift in momentum in favour of the bulls. After the breakout, the stock consolidated within a tight 1940–1990 range for four trading sessions, digesting gains before resuming its upward move. On Friday, it broke above this range with strong follow-through buying backed by healthy volumes, reaffirming bullish sentiment. The stock also trades above all key moving averages, indicating strength in the broader trend. Meanwhile, the RSI, which had flattened in the last few sessions, has started turning higher, and the ADX is rising, suggesting that momentum is building up for a further upside move. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 2020-2000 with a stoploss of 1940. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 2160 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Almost two thirds of charities have axed workers and vital services as they come under pressure from falling income, staff burnout and declining public donations, according to new research.

The vast majority have warned they are considering leaving their roles amid intense conditions in the sector, experts at Rathbones have warned.

Research by the investment specialists found that 95% of executives in the sector are thinking about leaving.

The survey of 100 charity bosses also found that 64% have already had to make redundancies and cut vital services because of the financial strain.

Andy Pitt, head of charities at Rathbones, said: “Our research shows that charities are being forced into taking drastic measures such as halting stock market investments, selling assets and making redundancies in order to keep afloat amid plummeting income.

“These are impossibly difficult decisions to make and many think it will be a year or two until they can expect their income to increase again.”

The research found that charities have been hit by a “perfect storm” of weaker income caused by falling donations alongside intensifying pressure on charity staff.

Almost half of charities said their income has fallen between 10% and 15% over the past two years.

Most surveyed charities warned that they expect the autumn budget to negatively hit their organisation, while 87% already fear they cannot absorb higher wage and National Insurance costs which came into force earlier this year.

Mr Pitt added: “UK charities are entering the Autumn Budget with genuine concern.

“Many are already navigating the pressures of reduced donations and rising operational costs, including higher minimum wages and employers’ National Insurance contributions.

“With 70% of charities expecting financial impacts from the upcoming Budget, there is real anxiety about how potential tax rises and benefit cuts could affect their ability to deliver vital services.”