Startup Genius

Owning a home in India, especially in Tier-1 cities and metropolitan areas, is often both a dream and an investment. Many homeowners purchase flats not only for personal residence but also to earn rental income. However, this dual purpose has raised legal questions: if a flat is rented out, does the buyer still qualify as a “consumer” under the Consumer Protection Act? Recently, the Supreme Court of India provided clarity, delivering a landmark ruling that protects the rights of homebuyers. Renting Your Property Doesn’t Strip Consumer Rights The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria, ruled that simply renting out a residential flat does not exclude the buyer from being considered a consumer. Builders had argued that when a flat is rented, it is purchased for business purposes, and therefore, the homebuyer cannot claim consumer protection. The Court clarified that a buyer cannot be excluded on the sole basis of earning rental income. For exclusi...

India has entered a new era in ride-hailing with the launch of Bharat Taxi , the country’s first government-backed, cooperative ride-hailing app . Unlike traditional apps like Ola or Uber, Bharat Taxi is owned and managed by the drivers themselves , giving them control and a fair share of the earnings. The app is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation . Its nationwide rollout was officially launched by Union Minister Amit Shah on February 5, 2026 , after successful pilot runs in Delhi-NCR and other regions. A Platform Designed for Drivers Bharat Taxi is not just another ride-booking app. Its main difference lies in its cooperative model . While private ride-hailing companies treat drivers as gig workers, Bharat Taxi makes them stakeholders . Every driver is part of a collective that owns the platform , giving them a voice in decisions and a fairer share of profits. The government’s goal is clear: Eliminate the middleman and let b...

अगर आप विदेश यात्रा की योजना बना रहे हैं या किसी दूसरे देश से भारत लौट रहे हैं, तो यह खबर आपके लिए बेहद जरूरी है। भारत सरकार ने Customs Baggage Rules, 2026 लागू कर दिए हैं, जिनमें अंतरराष्ट्रीय यात्रियों को बड़ी राहत दी गई है। ये नए नियम 2 फरवरी 2026 से लागू हो चुके हैं और पुराने बैगेज नियमों की जगह ले चुके हैं। इन बदलावों का मुख्य उद्देश्य है यात्रियों को ज्यादा ड्यूटी-फ्री छूट देना और मोबाइल फोन, सोना, ज्वेलरी व इलेक्ट्रॉनिक सामान से जुड़े नियमों को साफ करना। आइए आसान भाषा में पूरी जानकारी समझते हैं। कस्टम्स बैगेज नियम क्या होते हैं? कस्टम्स बैगेज नियम यह तय करते हैं कि: विदेश से कितना सामान ला सकते हैं किस सामान पर ड्यूटी नहीं लगेगी कितना सोना या ज्वेलरी ला सकते हैं मोबाइल और लैपटॉप जैसे इलेक्ट्रॉनिक सामान की क्या सीमा है कब कस्टम ड्यूटी देनी होगी ये नियम भारतीय नागरिकों, एनआरआई और विदेशी यात्रियों—सभी पर लागू होते हैं जो हवाई या समुद्री रास्ते से भारत आते हैं। सरकार ने अब इन नियमों को अपडेट कर दिया है ताकि आज के समय और बढ़ती कीमतों के हिसाब से यात्रियों को राहत मिल सके। भारतीय या...

 In recent years, company share buybacks have become a popular way for businesses to reward shareholders. But alongside this trend, governments have introduced a special levy known as  Buyback Tax . For many investors and business owners, this term sounds technical and confusing. So, what exactly is buyback tax? Why was it introduced? And how does it affect companies and investors? Let’s break it down. What Is Buyback Tax? Buyback tax  is a tax imposed on companies when they repurchase (buy back) their own shares from shareholders. Normally, when a company earns profits, it can distribute money to shareholders through dividends. Another option is to buy back shares from the market. Share buybacks reduce the number of outstanding shares and often increase earnings per share, which can support the stock price. To ensure fair taxation and prevent companies from avoiding dividend taxes, governments introduced buyback tax. In India, for example, buyback tax is charged at ...

Mumbai is notorious for its skyrocketing property prices and steep living costs. In prime areas like Cuffe Parade or Nariman Point, residents often pay thousands—or even lakhs—every month as maintenance charges, rent, or society fees. But imagine a place where living is not only free from maintenance costs but actually pays you money . Sounds like a dream? Welcome to Jolly Maker Tower , one of South Mumbai’s most fascinating housing stories. Zero Fees, Positive Returns Located in Cuffe Parade, Jolly Maker Tower flips the traditional concept of housing on its head. Unlike most apartments in Mumbai, where residents often dread paying high maintenance fees, residents of Jolly Maker don’t pay anything . In fact, they receive an annual dividend of roughly Rs 2.5 lakh simply for owning a flat in the building. The phenomenon gained attention when real-estate content creator Vishal Bhargava shared a video explaining the unusual financial structure. “Get paid Rs 2.5 lakh to stay in this build...

अपना घर होना हर किसी का सपना होता है। अन्न, वस्त्र और निवारा—ये तीनों मानव जीवन की मूलभूत आवश्यकताएँ हैं, और घर का मालिक होना स्थिरता, सुरक्षा और दीर्घकालिक वित्तीय योजना का प्रतीक है। आजकल बढ़ती संपत्ति की कीमतों के कारण मध्यम वर्ग के लिए घर खरीदना कठिन होता जा रहा है। ऐसे में होम लोन एक महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है, जिससे लंबी अवधि के किफायती ईएमआई के माध्यम से घर लेना संभव हो जाता है। लेकिन होम लोन लेना केवल बैंक से मंजूरी पाने तक सीमित नहीं है। इसके लिए पात्रता नियमों, ईएमआई क्षमता और सबसे महत्वपूर्ण, होम लोन पर मिलने वाले कर लाभ को समझना भी जरूरी है—विशेषकर आयकर अधिनियम की धारा 24(ब) के तहत। कई नए खरीदार इन बातों को नजरअंदाज कर देते हैं या गलत समझते हैं, जिससे भविष्य में वित्तीय समस्याएँ पैदा हो सकती हैं। यह गाइड होम लोन, पात्रता, ईएमआई और कर लाभ को आसान और सरल भाषा में समझाता है। आज घर खरीदना क्यों मुश्किल हो गया है साधारणतः 45 लाख रुपये तक की कीमत वाले घरों को परवडणारे घर माना जाता है। इन प्रोजेक्ट्स में डेवलपर्स का लाभ लगभग 10–12% होता है। वहीं, प्रीमियम और लक्ज़री घरों में ल...

Inflation is one of the most talked-about economic terms, yet it often feels confusing. Simply put, inflation means a general rise in prices —when everyday items like food, fuel, housing, and services become more expensive over time. One important but less understood factor behind inflation is loans and credit . Loans play a powerful role in shaping how much money flows through an economy. When used wisely, they support growth and development. When used excessively or carelessly, they can push prices up and create inflationary pressure.  Understanding the basic connection between loans and inflation At its core, inflation is about too much money chasing too few goods . Loans directly influence this balance. When people and businesses borrow money, they gain purchasing power —the ability to spend more. If spending rises faster than the production of goods and services, prices begin to increase. This is how loans, indirectly but powerfully, affect inflation. 1. Loans increase money c...