The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the final results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2023, selecting 271 candidates for prestigious military academies. The merit list features candidates chosen based on their performance in the examination and subsequent interviews, with vacancies for both men and women.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has concluded the online registration process for the National Defence Academy (NDA), Naval Academy (NA), and Combined Defence Services (CDS) (II) examinations for 2024. The UPSC CDS (II) exam is scheduled for September 1, 2024, and will fill 459 vacancies in various courses across different Indian military institutes. The UPSC NDA/NA (II) exam 2024, on the other hand, will be conducted for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA (154th Course) and the Indian Naval Academy (116th INAC Course), commencing on July 2, 2025.
Individuals looking to earn returns on their savings have an opportune moment, as interest rates remain elevated due to persistent inflation. Cash savers can now reap significant yields on their investments, with rates surpassing inflation. Options for securing these high rates include CDs, Treasury bills, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPs), and Series I bonds, which offer inflation protection with a 4.28% return for the next six months. However, the timing of savings goals is crucial when choosing between locking in returns or pursuing higher but more liquid savings accounts. Experts suggest diversifying deposits across various accounts to hedge against future interest rate fluctuations. Additionally, ensuring that deposits are federally insured by FDIC or NCUA is essential for safeguarding savings.
Major banks such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America are offering competitive yields on brokered certificates of deposit (CDs). Brokered CDs purchased through brokerage firms like Fidelity provide a wider range of issuer options and potential for higher yields. However, key differences exist, including callable features, which allow banks to redeem the CD early, and secondary market trading requirements, which carry potential penalties and transaction fees. Investors should carefully consider their time frame and risk tolerance before choosing between brokered and traditional CDs.
