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MoneySastra updates

What’s new with your money?

A short list of changes and warnings that may matter to ordinary households in India. We skip most finance news and explain only what seems genuinely useful.

Browse earlier updates & scam alerts ↓

Current updates

Markets · F&O

Nearly 9 in 10 individual F&O traders lost money in FY 2025-26

SEBI has released its latest study on the profitability of individual traders in the equity-derivatives segment. The study found that 87.7% of individual traders incurred net losses in FY 2025-26, compared with 90.9% in FY 2024-25.

Individual traders together recorded aggregate net losses of about ₹91,685 crore in FY 2025-26. Although the share of loss-making traders was slightly lower than a year earlier, the overwhelming majority still lost money.

What this means for you: Futures & Options trading should not be treated like a normal savings or investment product, or as a dependable way to generate monthly household income. Before putting household savings into derivatives, understand that nearly nine out of ten individual traders in SEBI’s latest study ended the year with net losses.

Official source · SEBI — Profitability of Individual Traders in the Equity Derivatives Segment (FY25–FY26) ↗
Remittances · Qatar

Qatar-to-India postal remittance service powered by UPI goes live

India Post and Qatar Post have launched a new Qatar-to-India postal remittance service. The Department of Posts says the service uses the Universal Postal Union’s PosTransfer system together with India’s UPI infrastructure.

A sender can initiate the remittance through participating Qatar Post outlets, while the recipient in India receives the money directly into a bank account rather than having to collect cash.

What this means for you: If you or a family member sends money from Qatar to India, this provides another formal remittance channel alongside banks and other authorised services. Before using it, compare the exchange rate, transfer fee and final rupee amount received rather than looking only at the advertised transfer charge.

Official source · Press Information Bureau / Department of Posts ↗
NRI / OCI · Proposal

SEBI seeks comments on easing KYC for people living outside India

SEBI has published a consultation paper reviewing the Know Your Client (KYC) process for individual persons resident outside India, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and foreign nationals.

The proposals cover practical parts of overseas onboarding and verification, including digital submission of KYC documents, certain mobile-number verification requirements, address declarations and video-based verification.

What this means for you: Nothing changes immediately. This is a proposal, not a final rule. NRIs and OCIs should continue following the existing KYC requirements until SEBI issues final changes.

Official source · SEBI ↗

Scam Watch

“Live trading” on social media? Do not copy the trade blindly.

17 Aug 2026

SEBI has cautioned investors about the display of live trading strategies on social-media platforms. The warning covers live sessions and real-time market tips that can influence viewers to take positions in the securities market.

Some of this activity may involve people or entities that are not registered to provide investment advice. A live screen, apparent trade or confident presenter does not by itself make the advice authorised or suitable for you.

What this means for you

Do not buy or sell merely because someone is showing a trade live on YouTube, Instagram, Telegram or another social platform. Verify who is giving the advice and whether the person or intermediary is appropriately registered before acting.

What should you do?

  • Do not treat a live trading session as proof that the strategy is safe or profitable.
  • Do not transfer money, share trading credentials or join a paid group merely because profits are being shown on screen.
  • Check SEBI registration and use recognised market intermediaries for securities-market activity.
  • Be especially cautious of pressure to act immediately because a “live opportunity” may disappear.
Official source · SEBI, Press Release 48/2026 ↗

Earlier MoneySastra posts

Updates & Scam Watch archive

Older items stay here so useful warnings and changes do not disappear when the homepage moves on. Use the filters to show money updates or Scam Watch alerts.

August 2026

Money update

Insurance complaint? Know the official escalation route

Keep your complaint reference number and written communication. Start with the insurer’s formal grievance channel and use the official IRDAI route if the issue is not resolved satisfactorily.

Official source · Department of Financial Services / PIB ↗
Scam Watch

Fake e-challan message? Verify it before you pay.

Do not pay a traffic challan through an unexpected SMS, WhatsApp or e-mail link. Open the official eChallan portal yourself and verify the challan.

Verify on official eChallan portal ↗
Money update

Medicine prices: check the MRP and the applicable price cap

Check the printed MRP before paying. If a regular medicine feels expensive, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether an equivalent generic is appropriate and compare available prices.

Official source · Government of India / NPPA ↗
Money update

UPI remains free for users

The Ministry of Finance clarified that ordinary consumers making UPI payments do not face a blanket transaction charge.

Official source ↗
Scam Watch

Unexpected “RBI”, “MCA” or account-statement ZIP files can hijack WhatsApp

I4C warned that malicious compressed files shared through WhatsApp, SMS or e-mail can compromise a computer and hijack an active WhatsApp Web session.

Official source · I4C / MHA ↗
Money update

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: applications open until 31 Aug

The Ministry of Education announced the 2026–27 application window for eligible students under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme.

Official source ↗

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