India's financial landscape saw several key developments over the weekend. Fuel prices remained unchanged across the country, IDFC First Bank reported a sharp rise in quarterly profit, and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) began crediting annual interest to subscribers' accounts. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices ended the week higher, Honda launched its premium ZR-V SUV, and Oppo introduced its latest F33 Pro 5G smartphone.

Petrol and Diesel Prices Remain Unchanged

State-owned oil marketing companies have kept petrol and diesel prices unchanged today. Fuel prices continue to remain stable across major cities, with revisions issued daily based on international crude oil prices and currency movements.

IDFC First Bank Q1 Profit Surges 132% to ₹1,075 Crore

Private sector lender IDFC First Bank reported a strong performance for the April–June quarter of FY2026-27.

The bank's net profit rose 132.2% year-on-year to ₹1,075 crore, compared with ₹463 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

The sharp increase in earnings was driven by:

• Higher net interest income (NII)

• Lower provisioning for bad loans

• Improvement in overall asset quality

The results reflect stronger operational performance and healthier balance sheet metrics during the quarter.

Gold and Silver Prices End Week Higher

Bullion prices witnessed a strong rally during the week.

According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA):

• 24-carat gold (10 grams) gained ₹2,622, reaching ₹1.44 lakh.

• Silver climbed ₹7,247, touching ₹2.23 lakh per kilogram.

The rise comes amid firm global bullion prices and continued investor demand for safe-haven assets.

EPFO Starts Crediting 8.25% PF Interest

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started crediting 8.25% annual interest for the financial year 2025-26 into subscribers' Provident Fund accounts.

Many account holders have already started receiving SMS notifications confirming the credit of interest. However, the process is being carried out in phases, so members who have not yet received a message need not worry.

Subscribers can verify their updated PF balance through:

• EPFO Member Passbook Portal

• UMANG App

• Missed Call Service

• SMS Facility

Honda Launches ZR-V Hybrid SUV in India

Honda Cars India has launched the Honda ZR-V, its flagship premium SUV, at a starting price of ₹48 lakh.

The SUV is being imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and features:

• 2.0-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine

• Claimed fuel efficiency of 22.8 kmpl

• Level-2 ADAS safety package

• Premium interiors and advanced driver-assistance features

The ZR-V will compete with premium SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Oppo F33 Pro 5G Review

Oppo has expanded its popular F-series lineup with the Oppo F33 Pro 5G.

The smartphone offers:

• 50MP front camera

• Long battery backup

• Fast charging support

• Premium design

However, one notable limitation is the absence of 4K video recording, which may disappoint users looking for advanced videography capabilities.

Market Snapshot

• Stock Market: Closed today due to Sunday.

• Petrol & Diesel: No change in retail prices.

• Gold: ₹1.44 lakh per 10 grams (24K).

• Silver: ₹2.23 lakh per kg.

• PF Interest: 8.25% credit process underway.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started depositing 8.25% annual interest into Provident Fund (PF) accounts for the financial year 2025-26. Several EPF subscribers have already received SMS notifications confirming that the interest amount has been credited, while the process continues for millions of other account holders.

If you have not yet received a message from EPFO, there is no need to worry. The interest crediting process is being carried out in phases, and your account may be updated soon.

Instead of waiting for an SMS, subscribers can check their updated PF balance through multiple official channels.

4 Ways to Check Your PF Balance

EPFO offers four convenient methods to verify your PF balance and confirm whether the annual interest has been credited.

1. Check PF Balance on the EPFO Member Passbook Portal

The easiest way to check your balance is through the EPFO's online passbook service.

Steps:

• Visit the EPFO Member Passbook portal.
• Log in using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.
• Select your Member ID.
• Your updated passbook, including the credited interest (if processed), will be displayed.

2. Check Through the UMANG App

Subscribers can also use the government's UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app.

Steps:

• Download or open the UMANG app.
• Select EPFO Services.
• Log in using your UAN and OTP.
• Tap View Passbook to check your latest PF balance.

3. Check via SMS

Registered users can receive their PF account details through SMS.

How to use:

• Send an SMS in the format:

EPFOHO UAN

to 7738299899

The message can also include a preferred language code if required.

The service is available only if your UAN is activated and linked with your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account.

4. Check Through a Missed Call

Subscribers can also obtain their PF balance by giving a missed call.

Missed Call Number: 9966044425

The call must be made from the mobile number registered with your UAN.

After disconnecting automatically, EPFO sends an SMS containing your current PF balance and recent contribution details.

EPFO Introduces New PF Withdrawal Rule

EPFO has recently revised the rules governing partial withdrawals from PF accounts.

Under the new guidelines, members must maintain at least 25% of their Eligible Member Balance in their PF account.

For example:

• Eligible PF Balance: ₹1,00,000
• Minimum amount to remain in account: ₹25,000
• Maximum amount available for withdrawal: ₹75,000

This change aims to ensure that employees retain a portion of their retirement savings while still allowing access to funds during emergencies.

PF Withdrawals Through UPI and ATM Coming Soon

EPFO is also preparing to introduce UPI and ATM-based PF withdrawals under its upcoming EPFO 3.0 initiative.

Once implemented, nearly 7.8 crore subscribers will be able to withdraw eligible PF funds instantly without extensive paperwork.

The upgraded system is expected to include:

• Instant PF withdrawals through UPI
• ATM-based fund access
• Faster auto-claim settlements
• Direct transfer of funds to subscribers' preferred bank accounts
• Simplified and paperless services

The initiative is aimed at making PF services faster, more transparent, and user-friendly.

Interest Crediting Still in Progress

EPFO has clarified that interest is being credited gradually across millions of accounts. Subscribers who have not yet seen the updated balance are advised to wait for the ongoing process to be completed and periodically check their accounts through the official channels.