Question 1

Can I withdraw my PF while still employed?

Accepted Answer

Not fully, but partial advances are allowed. Form 31 permits withdrawals against your balance for specified purposes — illness, marriage, education, house purchase or construction, home loan repayment and natural calamity — each with its own eligibility conditions based on years of service and balance.

Question 2

Can the police refuse to file an FIR?

Accepted Answer

Not for a cognisable offence. The Supreme Court held in Lalita Kumari that registration is mandatory where the information discloses one, and jurisdiction is never a valid reason — that is what a zero FIR is for. If refused, complain in writing to the Superintendent of Police, then approach a magistrate.

Question 3

Do I need to tip in India?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is customary but modest and entirely discretionary — around 5 to 10 per cent at restaurants, small amounts for hotel staff and drivers, and nothing expected at counter service or from autorickshaws. Check the bill first: service charge is often added, and it cannot legally be made mandatory.

Question 4

How do I check my credit score for free in India?

Accepted Answer

RBI rules require each of the four credit bureaus — CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark — to give you one free full credit report a year. Request it directly from each bureau's website. Checking your own report is a soft enquiry and never affects your score.

Question 5

How many states does India have?

Accepted Answer

28 states and 8 union territories. States have their own elected legislatures and governments; union territories are administered by the Union, though Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir have legislatures with narrower powers. Parliament can change the count under Article 3, by simple majority.

Question 6

How much income tax do I pay in India?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your regime and slab. India taxes income progressively through slabs, with a new regime offering lower rates and almost no deductions, and an old regime with higher rates and substantial deductions. A rebate means many taxpayers below a threshold pay nothing at all.

Question 7

Is Aadhaar mandatory in India?

Accepted Answer

For some things, yes; for most, no. The Supreme Court held in 2018 that Aadhaar can be required for welfare benefits and subsidies funded from the Consolidated Fund, and for PAN and income tax returns — but not by private companies for services, and not for school admission, bank accounts or mobile connections as a legal requirement.

Question 8

What do I do if money is stolen from my bank account?

Accepted Answer

Call 1930 immediately — before calling your bank — so the transaction can be flagged across the whole chain of intermediaries. Then call your bank's fraud line, file at cybercrime.gov.in, and confirm to the bank in writing. Reporting within three working days generally gives you zero liability under RBI rules.

Question 9

What happens if PAN is not linked to Aadhaar?

Accepted Answer

The PAN becomes inoperative rather than cancelled. Income tax refunds are not issued and no interest accrues on them, TDS and TCS are deducted at higher rates, and PAN-based KYC fails at banks, mutual funds and demat accounts. It reverts to operative after linking, typically within about 30 days.

Question 10

What is the emergency number in India?

Accepted Answer

112, for police, fire, ambulance and disaster response anywhere in India. It works from any mobile including one with no balance or no SIM. For cyber financial fraud call 1930 within the first hour, for mental health call 14416, for women's helpline 181 and for children 1098.

Question 11

What is UPI and is it safe?

Accepted Answer

The Unified Payments Interface is India's instant interbank payment system, working between any participating bank and app, free at point of use for person-to-person transfers. It is safe when used correctly, and the one rule that prevents almost all UPI fraud is that you never enter your PIN to receive money — only to send it.

Question 12

When is the ITR filing deadline in India?

Accepted Answer

Usually 31 July for individuals who do not require an audit, for the financial year ending the previous 31 March. Late filing is allowed as a belated return with a fee under section 234F plus interest, but you lose the right to carry forward most losses and generally cannot claim the old tax regime.

Question 13

Who gets free legal aid in India?

Accepted Answer

Every woman and child, every member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, victims of trafficking, people with disabilities, industrial workmen, people in custody, victims of mass disaster, and anyone below the prescribed income limit. It covers representation, not just advice, through a District Legal Services Authority in every district.

Question 14

Why are Indian rent agreements always for 11 months?

Accepted Answer

Because leases of twelve months or more generally require compulsory registration under the Registration Act, which means stamp duty and a formal process. An eleven-month term keeps most tenancies below that threshold — at the cost of the agreement being weaker evidence if a dispute arises.

Question 15

Why is my in-hand salary lower than my CTC?

Accepted Answer

Because CTC includes the employer's provident fund contribution, a gratuity provision, employer-paid insurance and often conditional variable pay — none of which reach your account monthly. From gross, your own PF contribution, professional tax and TDS are then deducted, leaving typically 70 to 85 per cent of gross.

Straight answers, then the reasoning

Aadhaar & ID

About India

Emergencies

Everyday life

Housing

Money & banking

Money & tax

Police & rights

Scams & safety

Work & money