Business

The State Government levies the professional tax on the professionals and members. The levy and governance of professional tax in Rajasthan is regulated under the Rajasthan State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1975. Understanding Professional Tax in Rajasthan Professional Tax is an important form of tax levied by the state government on individuals engaged in professions, trades, or employment. It is a source of revenue for the government and helps in funding various welfare programs and infrastructure development. In the state of Rajasthan, Professional Tax Registration is mandatory for certain categories of individuals, and compliance with the tax regulations is crucial. Importance of Professional Tax Registration in Rajasthan Revenue Generation for State Development: Professional Tax acts as a vital source of revenue for the state government. The funds collected through this tax are utilized for various development initiatives, infrastructure projects, and welfare programs that benefit the citizens of Rajasthan. Legal Compliance and Avoidance of Penalties: Non-compliance with Professional Tax regulations can lead to penalties and legal consequences. By registering and fulfilling tax obligations, individuals can avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the law. Contribution to Welfare Programs: Professional Tax serves as a means for individuals to contribute to the welfare programs implemented by the government. These programs aim to improve the quality of life, education, healthcare, and social services provided to the people of Rajasthan. Eligibility to pay Professional Tax in Rajasthan The individuals and entities falling in the below category are eligible to pay Professional Tax- Anyone with a professional tax registration Entities with a professional tax liability of more than Rs 50,000 must file a monthly professional tax return before the last date of each month. If the tax liability is not exceeding Rs. 50,000 for the entities in the previous year, it must file a tax return by March 31. Documents required for Professional Tax Registration in Rajasthan Identity proof- Aadhaar card/PAN card, etc. Address proof- Aadhaar card/Voter ID, etc. Proof of business registration (in the case of business owners) Proof of employment (in the case of employees) Bank account details Passport-sized photographs Any other documents specified. Registration Process for Professional Tax in Rajasthan Determine Applicability: The first step is to determine whether you fall within the ambit of Professional Tax in Rajasthan. This tax applies to individuals falling under Schedule I of the Rajasthan Professional Tax Act, 1976. The schedule includes various categories of individuals such as professionals, business owners, employers, employees, and freelancers. Obtain Registration Form: Once you have determined your liability for Professional Tax, you need to obtain the registration form. The form can be obtained either online through the Rajasthan Commercial Taxes Department website or by visiting the local Professional Tax Office. Complete the Registration Form: Fill in the registration form with accurate and relevant information. The form typically requires details such as name, address, contact information, nature of the profession, income details, and the number of employees (in the case of employers). Submit Required Documents: Along with the registration form, certain documents need to be submitted. Pay the Required Fees: Along with the registration form and documents, the prescribed registration fees must be paid. The fee amount may vary depending on the nature of the profession or trade. Verification and Issuance of Certificate: After submitting the registration form and fees, the concerned authorities will verify the provided information and documents. Upon successful verification, a Professional Tax Registration Certificate will be issued. This certificate is an important document and should be retained for future reference. Exemptions and Deductions Certain categories of individuals may be eligible for exemptions or deductions under the Professional Tax regulations in Rajasthan. These exemptions are designed to provide relief to specific professions or income groups. The exemptions and deductions can include: Exemptions for Low-Income Earners: Individuals falling below a certain income threshold may be exempt from paying Professional Tax. The income slabs and exemptions are determined by the government and are subject to periodic revisions. Specific Profession-Based Exemptions: Certain professions or trades may be exempt from Professional Tax based on government policies and notifications. These exemptions are typically granted to encourage specific industries or professions. Penalties for Non-Compliance Non-compliance with Professional Tax regulations in Rajasthan can attract penalties and legal consequences. It is crucial to understand the potential penalties to ensure adherence to the tax requirements. Some of the common penalties include: Late Payment Penalties: Failure to pay the professional tax amount within the specified due dates may attract penalties or interest charges. Non-Filing Penalties: Neglecting to file returns or reports within the prescribed timelines can result in penalties imposed by the authorities. Other Legal Consequences: Persistent non-compliance or deliberate evasion of Professional Tax can lead to legal actions, including prosecution and imprisonment, as prescribed by the law. Compliance and Renewal Monthly Tax Deduction and Deposit: Employers are responsible for deducting the professional tax amount from employees’ salaries monthly. The deducted amount needs to be deposited with the appropriate authorities within the prescribed timelines. Filing of Returns and Reporting Obligations: Registered individuals, employers, and professionals may be required to file periodic returns or reports as per the regulations of the Rajasthan Commercial Taxes Department. These returns ensure transparency and accurate tax compliance. Renewal of Registration Certificate: The Professional Tax Registration Certificate needs to be renewed periodically as per the prescribed guidelines. Failure to renew the certificate within the specified timeframe may result in penalties or cancellation of registration. FAQs Who needs to register for Professional Tax in Rajasthan? Professionals, traders, and individuals engaged in various occupations and employments are required to register for Professional Tax in Rajasthan. Is there a specific Professional Tax Registration form for Rajasthan? Yes, there is a specific form for Professional Tax Registration in Rajasthan. The form may vary based on the type of entity (individual, partnership, company, etc.). Check the official website or consult with professionals for the correct form. What are the consequences of non-compliance with Professional Tax regulations in Rajasthan? Non-compliance with Professional Tax regulations may lead to penalties and legal consequences. It’s crucial

Customer Acquisition Cost, or CAC, measures how much an organization spends to acquire new customers. CAC – an important business metric – is the total cost of sales and marketing efforts, as well as property or equipment, needed to convince a customer to buy a product or service. What is Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)? Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the cost related to acquiring a new customer. In other words, CAC refers to the resources and costs incurred to acquire an additional customer. Customer acquisition cost is a key business metric that is commonly used alongside the customer lifetime value (LTV) metric to measure value generated by a new customer. Customer acquisition vs. customer satisfaction Customer acquisition and customer satisfaction may seem different, but they’re actually highly interconnected. Customer acquisition is the process of bringing new customers into your business, and it’s required for business expansion and generating revenue. However, focusing solely on customer acquisition without adequately considering customer satisfaction can lead to a high churn rate, which in turn increases your cost of customer acquisition (CAC). On the other hand, customer satisfaction speaks to how happy your existing customers are with your product or service. A high level of customer satisfaction can lead to increased customer retention, repeat purchases, and referrals, all of which can lower your CAC. In essence, driving customer acquisition is crucial, but maintaining customer satisfaction is equally important — if not more important —  for sustainable business growth.  Formula for Customer Acquisition Cost The formula for customer acquisition cost is as follows: Where: Sales and marketing expenses are the advertising and marketing spend, commissions and bonuses paid, salaries of marketers and sales managers, and overhead costs related to sales and marketing over the measurement period. Number of new customers is the total number of acquired customers over the measurement period. Factors affecting customer acquisition cost CAC is influenced by various factors, and understanding these factors can empower you to adjust your marketing and sales strategies more effectively. Let’s take a closer look at some elements that can impact your customer acquisition cost: Marketing channels: Different marketing channels come with different costs. Paid advertising, content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search will all have varying expense levels associated with them. The effectiveness of your chosen channels and the costs involved can greatly affect your overall CAC. Target audience: The demographics and preferences of your target audience play a significant role in determining your CAC. Certain audience segments may be more expensive to market to due to high competition, whereas others might be less expensive due to lower competition or a niche audience. Industry: Your sector can also influence your CAC. Companies in highly competitive industries might face stiffer competition, making it more challenging and expensive to acquire new customers. Competition: Higher competition can lead to businesses vying for the same customer base, which can result in escalating advertising expenses and overall acquisition costs. Product quality and offerings: A well-crafted, high-quality product or service, paired with competitive pricing, can help reduce CAC. Generally, a good product will require less convincing, reducing the effort required to get new customers on board. Geographic location: The geographic regions targeted by your marketing also contribute to CAC. Advertising rates and marketing costs will vary depending on the region, country, and sometimes even city. Customer acquisition cost by industry Just as businesses vary by nature, size, and operation, CAC also varies across industries. It’s important to consider these variations when setting your expectations and crafting your strategies. Here’s an overview of how CAC can change based on different industries: Tech/digital services Tech and digital service companies typically have high CAC due to the technology and skill investments they require. However, their high potential customer lifetime value (CLV) often offsets this cost, making this high CAC more manageable. Ecommerce With competition high and margins often low, ecommerce businesses often have a challenging CAC scenario. These businesses must pay close attention to their CAC and constantly innovate to maintain their balance of value. Healthcare In the healthcare industry, the cost to acquire new customers can often be high due to a heavy emphasis on trust and quality of care, which can lead to higher marketing and sales costs. Education Educational institutions often have a lower CAC since they mostly rely on referrals, reputation, and direct inquiries. However, ed-tech companies may face higher CAC due to the competitive market and cost of technology. Knowing where your business stands in relation to the industry standard can offer helpful perspective and ground your CAC goals in reality. Remember, the key is not necessarily to lower your CAC but to optimize it in harmony with your customer lifetime value (CLV). So while studying your industry’s norms, keep your focus on the bigger picture. How to improve CAC Aim for high-quality leads: Not all leads are created equal. Some will engage more, convert into paying customers, and likely stick around longer. High-quality leads not only help lower the CAC but also increase CLV. Optimize your marketing channels: Some channels might work better than others for your business. When you find a marketing channel that offers a high return on investment, focus more of your budget and effort there. Improve conversion rates: Optimizing your website for conversions can reduce your CAC. Test different elements of your website, like headings, calls to action, site speed, and navigation to reduce friction in the user experience. Customer retention strategies: It’s often cheaper to retain existing customers than to research, market to, and attract new ones. Look for ways to increase customer loyalty through excellent service and adding value wherever possible. Referral programs: Happy customers are your best advocates. Implementing a referral program can not only attract new customers at a lower cost but also help in increasing engagement and loyalty of your existing customers. Superior customer support: Customer support plays a crucial role in retaining existing customers and winning over new ones. Customer acquisition cost FAQs What is CAC? Customer acquisition cost (CAC)

Authorised Money Changers/ AMCs are entities who are authorised by the Reserve Bank of India as per Section 10 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999. Accordingly, an AMC may either be a Restricted Money Changer (RMC) or a Full Fledged Money Changer (FFMC). As defined by the Act, an Authorised Person essentially means an authorised dealer, money changer, off-shore banking unit or any other individual for the time being authorised under sub-section (1) of Section 10 to involve in foreign securities or foreign exchange. A license is required by FFMCs to purchase foreign exchange from residents and non-residents visiting India and to sell foreign exchange for specifically approved purposes. Full Fledged Money Changer (FFMC) A Full Fledged Money Changer (FFMC) is an authorized entity who may purchase foreign exchange from non-residents and residents of India and sell the same for private and business travel purposes only to the people visiting abroad. As Section 10 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 prescribes, authorized money changers are the only entities in the country that can deal in money changing activities and offer necessary foreign exchange services. For the purpose of removing the obstacles faced by foreign visitors and tourists, particular firms and hotels have also been offered the registration to deal in foreign currency notes, coins and traveller’s cheques under the directions issued by the RBI frequently. No individual is permitted to carry on or advertise that they carry on money changing business unless they own a valid money changer’s license issued by the RBI. Any individual found undertaking any sort of money changing business without a valid license is liable to be penalised under the Act. Activities of FFMCs An FFMC may enter into a franchise agreement at their convenience for the purpose of carrying on the Restricted Money Changing business which basically involves the conversion of foreign currency notes, coins or travellers’ cheques into Indian Rupees (INR). An FFMC or its franchisees may freely purchase any foreign currency notes, coins or traveller’s cheques from the residents as well as the non-residents of India. An FFMC may sell Indian Rupees (INR) to foreign tourists or visitors against International Debit Cards/ International Credit Cards and take prompt actions in order to obtain reimbursements through normal banking channels. FFMCs may choose to sell foreign exchange for the following purposes. Business Visits Private Visits Forex Pre-Paid Cards Types of FFMC License Authorised Dealer Category-I Banks (AD Category–I Banks) Authorised Dealers Category-II (ADs Category–II) Full Fledged Money Changers (FFMCs) Eligibility to obtain FFMC License The Entity that wishes to apply for a Full Fledged Money Changer License must be registered under the Companies Act of 2013. The Entity must have a minimum net-owned fund of INR 25 Lakhs in order to apply for a single-branch license and INR 50 Lakhs for a multiple-branch license. The object clause of the Memorandum must reflect the activity of money changing that is to be undertaken by the Entity. There must not be civil or criminal cases pending against the Entity with the enforcement of the Department of Revenue Intelligence. After obtaining the FFMC License, the Entity must carry out its business activity within 6 months from the date of issuance of the Forex License and should, without fail, intimate the RBI. Documents Required for FFMC License A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Entity. The Memorandum and Articles of Association comprising of a provision for undertaking money changing businesses or an appropriate amendment with the same effect. A copy of the latest audited accounts of the Entity with a certificate from Statutory Auditors certifying the Net-Owned Funds as on the Date of Application for the License. Several copies of the audited Balance Sheet and, Profit and Loss Account of the Entity for the immediate three years prior to the Date of Application for the License, wherever applicable. A Confidential Report from the banker of the Applicant in a sealed manner. Information concerning the sister or associated concerns operating in the financial sector such as NBFCs. A certified copy of Board Resolution to undertake money changing business. Process of Obtaining FFMC License The process of obtaining an FFMC License is concerned with the Reserve Bank of India. A complete and detailed application for the FFMC License is submitted to the concerned regional office of the Reserve Bank of India. The Director of the applicant Entity would be reviewed under the “fit and proper” criteria by the RBI. If everything is in line with the satisfaction of the RBI, then the Full Fledged Money Changer (FFMC) License would be issued within a period or 2 to 3 months. Clearance by the Empowered Committee is a necessity and the Reserve Bank’s decision in the subject of granting approval or not would be final and binding. Note: The Entity will not be considered as eligible to obtain an FFMC License if ay case by any law-enforcing authorities is initiated or is pending against the Entity or any its Directors. Post Approval Requirements by FFMCs The following conditions are required to be upheld by the Full Fledged Money Changer (FFMC) after obtaining the license to be so. A copy of the registration under the Shops and Establishment Act or any other documentary evidence such as a rent receipt or a copy of the lease agreement must be submitted to the Regional Office directed by the Reserve Bank before the commencement of any business activity. New Full Fledged Money Changers (FFMC) must carry out their activities according to the instructions specified by the Reserve Bank often. FFMCs must, at each of its business places, display a copy of the money changing license issued by the RBI. FFMCs must have a system of Concurrent Audit of all the transactions undertaken by them. It is essential that all FFMCs submit their annual audited balance sheets to the respective Regional Office of the RBI. Records and Registers by FFMC Daily Summary and Balance book of the Foreign currency notes/ coins in form

Bootstrapping describes a situation in which an entrepreneur starts a company with little capital, relying on money other than outside investments. An individual is said to be bootstrapping when they attempt to found and build a company from personal finances or the operating revenues of the new company. Bootstrapping also describes a procedure used to calculate the zero-coupon yield curve from market figures. What is Bootstrapping? Bootstrapping is the process of building a business from scratch without attracting investment or with minimal external capital. It is a way to finance small businesses by purchasing and using resources at the owner’s expense, without sharing equity or borrowing huge sums of money from banks. A business that uses bootstrapping is characterized by a high dependence on internal sources of financing, credit cards, mortgages, and loans. In other words, bootstrapping is characterized by limited sources of financing. For the successful growth of an enterprise, a competent development strategy is necessary, in which all possible risks will be accounted for. In addition, available funds need to be allocated to the most vital segments of the business model. Stages of Bootstrapping There are a few stages that a bootstrapped company goes through: 1. Beginner stage- The beginner stage starts with some saved money or borrowed/invested money coming from friends. For example, the founder continues to work on their main job and, at the same time, starts a business. 2. Customer-funded stage- When money from customers/clients is used to keep the business operating and to fund its growth. 3. Credit stage-The credit stage involves the entrepreneur focusing on funding specific activities, such as hiring staff, upgrading equipment, etc. At the credit stage, the business takes out loans or tries to find venture capital for expansion. Should Every Startup Consider Venture Capital? Venture capital can be a great way to grow your business, but it’s important to make sure that you’re ready for it. You need to have a clear business plan and a strong team in place. You also need to be prepared to give up some control of your company.” So before diving into the world of bootstrapped startups, let’s first understand the reasons to consider venture capital as a funding source. Pros of Raising Venture Capital Injection of Capital: Venture capital funding provides startups with the financial resources needed to scale rapidly. Expertise and Network: VCs often bring valuable expertise and industry connections to the table, helping startups navigate challenges and grow. Accelerated Growth: With ample capital and support, venture-backed companies can achieve fast-paced growth and market dominance. Cons of Raising Venture Capital Relentless Pursuit of Growth: Instead of a more steady approach to profitable and sustainable growth, VC-backed companies are traditionally focused on extreme revenue growth at all cost. This approach can lead to businesses with oversized expenses that limit success if immediate success isn’t found. Loss of Control: Accepting venture capital means ceding some degree of control to the investors, as they become stakeholders in the business. Investor Pressure: Venture capitalists expect high returns on their investments and may exert pressure on the company’s direction and decision-making. This can be an issue during the early growth stages of a business, but also as an opportunity for exit arrives. Dilution of Ownership: As more rounds of funding occur, the founder’s ownership stake will decrease as equity is distributed among new investors. This dilution becomes especially painful at exit, as significant portions of the financial upside is paid to the investors that traditionally hold preferred shares in the business. Why do People Choose Bootstrapping? Bootstrapping is typically the choice of beginning entrepreneurs. It allows them to create a company without experience and attract an investor or investors. The choice reasons for taking bootstrapping as a business model are different. Entrepreneurs begin to engage in bootstrapping if they: Lack experience in formulating business plans and in entrepreneurship Lack skills for product promotion and contacts with suppliers Do not know how to raise financing Do not want to share income with investors Do not want to spend time searching for an investor Advantages of Bootstrapping The entrepreneur gets a wealth of experience while risking his own money only. It means that if the business fails, he will not be forced to pay off loans or other borrowed funds. If the project is successful, the business owner will save capital and will be able to attract investors. So, the business will grow up to a new level. The “bootstrapper” reserves the right to all developments, as well as ideas that were used during the development of the business. The lack of initial funding makes entrepreneurs look for unusual ways to solve problems, create new offers on the market, and show creative thinking. Independence from investor opinions. An entrepreneur can make all the decisions independently, so he is able to create something unique, realize a dream, test strength, and be independent of the investors’ instructions. Attracting external funding is challenging and can be a very stressful and time-consuming task. Bootstrapping allows an entrepreneur to fully focus on the key aspects of the business, such as sales, product development, etc. Creating the financial foundations of business by an entrepreneur is a huge attraction for future investments. Investors, such as private individuals, special funds, or venture capital firms, are much more confident in financing businesses that are already secured and have demonstrated the promises and commitment of the owners. Providing value to people. Business is all about delivering a particular value through a product or service. Disadvantages of Bootstrapping Business growth can be difficult if demand exceeds the company’s ability to offer or produce services or products. The entrepreneur takes on almost all financial risks instead of sharing them with investors who invest in supporting the company’s growth. Limited capital and lack of investment: In the context of the specifics of bootstrapping, the attraction of large investments and fully implementing one’s ideas can be extremely hard. Stress problems: The ability to handle stressful situations is regularly checked when unexpected problems arise. Bootstrapping Strategy Below are some proven methods that will help an entrepreneur in the early

A go-to-market (GTM) strategy is a plan that details how an organization can engage with customers to convince them to buy their product or service and to gain a competitive advantage. A GTM strategy includes tactics related to pricing, sales and channels, the buying journey, new product or service launches, product rebranding or product introduction to a new market. A go-to-market strategy (GTM strategy) is an action plan that specifies how a company will reach target customers and achieve competitive advantage. The purpose of a GTM strategy is to provide a blueprint for delivering a product or service to the end customer, taking into account such factors as pricing and distribution. A GTM strategy is somewhat similar to a business plan, although the latter is broader in scope and considers additional factors like funding. Organizations can use a go-to-market strategy for a range of events, including launching new products or services, introducing a current product to a new market and even relaunching the company or brand. The GTM strategy will help a business clarify why it’s launching the product, understand who the product is for, and create a plan to engage with the customer and convince them to buy the product or service. What is a go-to-market strategy? A go-to-market (GTM) strategy is a plan that helps businesses position a new product or service for launch, define their ideal customers, and coordinate messaging.  Designed to mitigate the risk of introducing a new product to market, a typical GTM strategy includes target market profiles, a marketing plan, and a concrete sales and distribution strategy.  What’s the purpose of a go-to-market strategy? When effectively executed, the GTM strategy will align all stakeholders and establish a timeline to ensure each stakeholder meets the defined milestones and outcomes, creating an attainable path to market success. Overall, go-to-market strategies are used to create the following benefits within an organization: A clearly defined plan and direction for all stakeholders. Reduced time to market for products and services. Increased chances of a successful product or service launch. Decreased likelihood of extra costs generated by failed product or service launches. Enhanced ability to react to changes and customer desires. Improved management of challenges. An established path for growth. Ensured creation of an effective customer experience. Guaranteed regulatory compliance. While go-to-market strategies are often associated with product launches, they can also be used to describe the specific steps a company needs to take in order to guide customer interactions for established products. To create an effective GTM strategy, organizations must possess an understanding of the work environment and the target market. New and existing workflows should be clearly defined and a system should be established to manage the GTM strategy. Core components A go-to-market strategy often includes five core components: Market definition: Which markets will be targeted to sell the product or service? Customers: Who is the target audience within these markets? Distribution model: How will the product or service be delivered to the customer? Product messaging and positioning: What is being sold and what is its unique value or primary difference when compared to other products or services in the market? Price: How much should the product or service cost for each customer group? The market definition identifies the specific markets — or groups of people that have the ability and willingness to pay — for a specific product or service. The markets should be specific and clearly defined, but they should also involve a large enough audience to meet the income and profit objectives of the product or service. If multiple markets are being targeted, then one should be prioritized over the others and this primary target should be clearly communicated. The customers component takes the information and research gathered to define the market and uses it to increase specificity and determine the target audience for the product or service. The company will need to decide whether it has existing customers that might be sales prospects or whether it needs to seek an entirely new set of target customers. The company developing a GTM strategy and improving its customer acquisition process should also focus on who the buyer will be. For example, in a business-to-business (B2B) GTM strategy, the buyer could be the IT manager, a line-of-business (LOB) manager or a member of the C-suite. Customer segmentation is a common practice used to divide a customer base into groups of individuals that are similar in specific ways relevant to marketing, such as age, gender, interests and spending habits. Buyer personas should also be established to help a company understand how to market and sell to these various customer segments and to identify who the best-fit customers are for the product or service. The distribution model component defines the channels or the paths taken by the product or service to reach the end customer. Indirect channels often become a part of a product vendor’s go-to-market plan. An indirect channel of distribution involves the product passing through extra steps between the manufacturer and the customer. For example, a product in an indirect channel may pass from the manufacturer to a distributor and then the wholesaler before it reaches the retail store. Some questions to ask when defining channels include: How will customers go about buying the product or service? How and where will the product or service be distributed? If it’s a physical product that will be distributed in a store, how will it get there? If it’s a software product, how will the customer download it? Is the product or service on the organization’s e-commerce site or is it sold online through a third party? The product messaging and positioning component involves defining what the product or service is, what it does, how the target client will be made aware of the product and how leads will be generated, from both the current customer base and within the defined markets. The product message should answer how the offer addresses a specific need within the market and why customers should believe that it fulfills the need. A value proposition should be created that reveals how customers will receive more from the product or service than the monetary value paid for

No person is allowed to drive motor vehicles in a public area unless he/she has a valid driving license. If a driving license is lost, according to the Indian Motor Vehicle Act 1988, the person who lost the driving license has to apply for a duplicate Driving license. The Duplicate Driving license is a document issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. A driving licence serves as more than just a legal permit to drive; it also acts as crucial identification proof. Unfortunately, there are occasions when individuals misplace, have their driving licences stolen, or accidentally damage them. In such cases, getting a duplicate driving licence (DL) is important to avoid facing significant penalties. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) responsible for issuing the original driving licence can provide a duplicate DL upon request. Some RTOs even offer the convenience of applying for a duplicate driving licence online.  Duplicate Driving license A Duplicate Driving license is a copy of an existing driving license that is issued to a person in case his Driving license is lost. RTO offices all across India are given the authority to issue a Duplicate Driving license to an individual whose original license is stolen. A Duplicate Driving license can be issued from the same RTO that issued the original license. If the applicant has their application number handy, the applicant can visit the Sarathi Parivahan web portal and apply for duplicate driving license. A duplicate driving license will be issued in the following circumstances: When the driving license is lost or destroyed When the driving license is defaced or torn or entirely written up When the photograph affixed to the driving license requires replacement Steps after Losing Driving license You have lost your Driving license, follow the below-mentioned steps at first to get a duplicate one. Approach to the police station that has jurisdiction over the area where your driving license lost. Make a complaint that a driving license has lost and got a copy of the First Information Report (FIR). Visit the notary office to obtain an affidavit on stamped papers. The affidavit will be a proof that you took an oath before the concerned officer that your license is lost. Documents Required Application in Form n prescribed format Original driving license is written or defaced if available. Attested photocopies of DL if possible in case of loss of license. Fees as prescribed along with user charges Proof of Address: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Ration Card or House agreement Proof of Age: Pan card, Birth Certificate, Transfer certificate or 10th Class mark sheet Application Fees for Driving License Medical Certificate – Form 1 which is to be signed by a certified Government doctor Duplicate Driving License Application Procedure Access Sarathi Parivahan Portal Step 1: Access the home page of the Ministry Transport and Highways of Road (Parivahan web portal). Step 2: Click on Apply Online on the left side of the home page and select and click on Services on Driving License. Step 3: List of Driving License services page will be displayed then click on Continue option. Step 4: Provide your driving license number and Date of birth and click on the GO option. Step 5: Applicant Name with few other details will be displayed. Step 6: Select the applicable state and RTO and then click on Proceed. Step 7: Details of the Driving License will be displayed. Verify the applicant details and click on Confirm to proceed further. Step 8: Driving License services will be displayed, select the service as a duplicate driving license checkbox and click on the Proceed button. Step 9: The issue of NOC transaction page will be displayed. Select the required details from drop boxes displayed and click on Confirm option, then Data Accepted Successfully message will be displayed.  To the left side of the page declaration box and captcha will be shown. Step 10: Put Tick Mark on the declaration box and provide the captcha then click on Submit Step 11: Acknowledgement form will be generated with the Applicant details and the service requested. (Issue of NOC) Step 12: Click on Next button to proceed. Upload Document Step 13:  Select the radio button Upload Documents to upload the required documents and click on the “Next” button. Step 14:  Click on “OK” button to continue for uploading the documents. Step 15: Select the address proof from the list of documents, upload the same and click on “confirm” option. Step 16: In the next stage select the age proof from the list of documents and upload the document and click on the confirm option. Step 17:  Select the form 1 from the list of documents for uploading and click on upload and then confirm. Click on NEXT option. Upload Photo & Signature Step 18: In this step click on the radio button “Upload Photo and Signature” to upload the Photo & signature and click on Next button. Step 19: The page will display as depicted below, read the instructions for the size of photo & signature and click on “Upload and View files. Step 20: The below message will appear after the photo and signature are successfully inserted and click on to “Next” option to go to the next page. Fee Payment Step 21: Select the Fee Payment option and click on “Next” to continue for fee payment. Step 22:  In this window see the instructions and click on “Click here to continue e-Payment” for the continuation of the payment process. Step 23: In the next page check all the details, and click on “Proceed for Payment” for continuation on payment process. Step 24: Click on “Continue” option to log in to the bank for payment process. Step 25: After successful payment, the payment success acknowledgement window appears, after seeing the details click on “Print Receipt” to generate payment receipt. Step 26:  The payment receipt will be generated, check all the details in the payment receipt. Get Duplicate Driving License On verifying the details, the duplicate driving license will be issued to the applicant. The applicant can print the duplicate driving license from the official website of Parivahan. From the home page click on Print License details and then select Print Learners

High-intent users are those who are actively looking for a solution to a problem, a need, or a desire. They are more likely to convert into customers than low-intent users, who are just browsing or exploring. The entire product and service industry has one motto in common, and that is “Customer is King.” All the efforts behind launching a business, making the products or services top-class, or spending on marketing will be a waste if the end-user does not relate to the product, service, brand, or vision. So how do you know if your target user is looking for something you are offering? It is done by understanding user intent.  User intent means nothing but the intention of a user when they are searching for something. More specifically, it is the goal they have in mind for which they are looking up answers. On the internet, this transcends into search engine queries. Users often take to the search engine for answers or solutions to their queries.  Understanding User Intent User intent is the reason behind a user’s search. Understanding what the intent is means you can create better content for your users. As per studies, Google’s search engine processes close to 63,000 search queries every passing second. That is a staggering 5.6 billion searches each day. It is found that an average person performs somewhere between three and four searches throughout the day. This is just one search engine. Now, trying to understand the intention of such a big pool of users can be a daunting task. What Is the Role of User Intent in SEO? Users type words in the search query, which are termed keywords. These can be short-tail (one word), medium-tail (two to three words), or long-tail (more than three words) keywords. By means of SEO, businesses study these keywords, usually the medium- and long-tail keywords. Then, they focus on their relevance and optimize their content in accordance with these keywords. This is why you see only relevant articles, answers, etc., on the search engine’s first page. With sound web content writing practices, your business can rank on the first search engine results page (SERP). This increases your chance of getting your user to notice and buy from you.  Can you see how important understanding your end-user’s search intent is? Unless you know your user’s search intent, you won’t know which keywords to target, study, and include in your content pieces. The role of user intent is huge in SEO and SEM too. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on the wrong keywords. So, to completely define your specific audience’s user intent, you have to understand which bucket it falls under.  What Are the Types of User Intent? 1. Low user intent- Low user intent is usually demonstrated when the user may be searching for general information or looking for light reading options on the internet. In this case, they might not necessarily be looking to buy something or be actively driven towards a purchase decision. A good example of this can be when someone is looking for the meanings of certain words or typing in short-tail keywords. Low user intent is further classified into navigational and informational intent. Navigational intent-Navigational intent is when a user is searching for a specific website or domain, or a page on a website. A user also has navigational intent if they are looking for ways to navigate your site. They might be looking for a particular page, or they might be trying to find out how to make their way back to the homepage.  How to optimize content for navigational intent- In this case, content should be focused on getting users where they need to go as quickly as possible, and with as little fuss as possible. Ensure your website layout is not too complex, and information is easily available with smooth navigation options. There must be clear and concise information about your products or services, with appropriate landing pages for them. Why is navigational intent important? Users with navigational intent are specifically looking for your website or some page on your site. They remember your brand and are most likely to recommend it to their peers. This type of intent also helps you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your website. With the help of heatmaps, you can see which pages on your site are doing well, which ones need more attention, which products are striking a chord with the users, which ones are not relevant, etc. You can also gauge whether your customers are finding it easy to complete the desired action or simply dropping off.  Informational intent- Informational intent is when a user wants to find information about something. Typically, you would want to be on the first page of search results when your target user is looking for your niche-specific information. This is how you can establish yourself as an authority and expert in your niche. Being able to provide your future prospects with the information they require may not only help build trust for your brand, but also help in converting them at a later stage.  How to optimize content for informational intent- In order to optimize informational content, you must make sure your content is well-researched and has no errors. You must also maintain your content and keep updating it with time. Ensure your titles are clear and straightforward, and they include relevant keywords with high search volumes. Don’t miss out on interlinking to other relevant articles on the website.  Why is informational intent significant? A majority of the searches on the internet are informational in nature, making it the most common type of intent. This fact is crucial, and you need to understand this user intent well before putting out content. Good informational and educational content will help build brand visibility and pave the path for future growth opportunities. Once your users are familiar with your content and start finding it useful, they will stick around and convert to loyal paying customers in the long run. Some examples

Preference shares carry a preference over other shares in terms of dividend payout. Whenever a company announces to pay dividends, preference shareholders get the payment first.  Preference shares, which are issued by companies seeking to raise capital, combine the characteristics of debt and equity investments, and are consequently considered to be hybrid securities. Preference shareholders experience both advantages and disadvantages. On the upside, they collect dividend payments before common stock shareholders receive such income What is Preference Share Preference shares, also commonly known as preferred stock, are a special type of share where dividends are paid to shareholders prior to the issuance of common stock dividends. Ergo, preference shareholders hold preferential rights over common shareholders when it comes to sharing profits. Consequently, if a company lands into bankruptcy, preference shareholders are issued dividends first or have the first right to the company’s assets before common stock investors. For preference shareholders, the dividend is fixed; however, they don’t hold voting rights as opposed to common shareholders. Investors who have been in the stock market for longer than most go after preference share types. The dividends earned on these shares are significantly higher than ordinary shares. Their popularity can be established by the fact that many preference shareholders do not own any other stock except for this variety. It has been observed that more and more companies are coming out with different types of preference shares. In essence, they have traces of both equity and debt shares. From this angle, these shares are also categorised as hybrid financing instruments. Over the last few years, as the bear market run continues globally, more investors are looking towards preference shares as a viable means of gaining significant returns in the long run. Features of Preference Shares Dividend Payouts- Preference shareholders have significantly more heft than standard shareholders of any company. They have the first rights to all dividends paid by the companies whose shares they own. No Voting Rights- Holders of these shares do not have any voting rights in any business proceedings. The features, thus, also fall among the major disadvantages of preference shares.It might seem like a major handicap for any investor; however, it is precisely the reason why so many companies offer these shares. The aspect is also similar to debenture owners. Dividend Payouts- One feature which is under-advertised is that the dividends are paid to the shareholders on specific dates. It is not entirely dissimilar to a monthly income. Additional Features- If an investor decides to buy a special type of these shares, they should look for irredeemable preference shares. These shares allow the holder to have a certain say on their maturity dates. Types Of Preference Shares Cumulative Preference Share-Cumulative shares have a provision that allows investors to be paid dividends in arrears. It so happens that a company doesn’t have the financial capacity to pay dividends to its shareholders.Unless dividends are not paid to preference shareholders, they cannot be paid to common shareholders. In such a scenario, the company decides to pay cumulative dividends in the next year.Sometimes, interest earned by the shareholders on arrear dividends is also given to the cumulative preferred stockholders. The calculation is as follows – Quarterly Dividend = [Rate of dividend * Par Value ] divided by 4 Cumulative dividends paid per share = Quarterly dividend * Total Number of payments missed Non Cumulative Preference Shares- Non-cumulative preferred shareholders are eligible to be paid dividends only from a year’s profit.So a non-cumulative preferred stock does not issue unpaid dividends to the shareholders, nor can holders of such stock claim unpaid dividends in the future. Redeemable Preference Shares- In the case of redeemable shares, a company has the right to buy back the shares for its own use from shareholders at a fixed date or by giving prior notice after a period of time. Irredeemable Preference Shares- These shares can only be redeemed by the company at the time of liquidation or when the company winds up operations. Participating Preference Shares- Participating preference shares is where the company issuing the dividends pays increased dividends to the shareholders along with the preference dividend. This is done at a fixed rate.Additionally, participating preference shareholders have rights on the surplus asset of the company at the time of its liquidation. Non Participating Preference Shares- In the case of non-participating preference shares, the shareholders are entitled only to the dividends at a fixed rate and not to the surplus profit.The extra profit is distributed among the common shareholders. Convertible Preference Shares- Shareholders of such shares have the option to convert the common shares to preferred shares. These shares are opted by investors who wish to receive preferred share dividends as well as want to benefit from an increase in the common shares.So, the benefits are twofold- fixed returns by means of preferred dividends as well as the opportunity to earn higher returns as the common stock price increases. This conversion can happen within a certain period as per the prior agreement stated in the memorandum. Non Convertible Preference Shares- Shareholders of these shares do not hold the right to convert to the issuer’s common shares. Preference Shares with a Callable Option- For shareholders having preference shares with a callable option, the issuing company holds the right to call in or buy back the stocks at a predetermined price after a set date.The call price, the date post which the shares can be called and the call premium are mentioned in the prospectus. Adjustable Rate Preference Shares-For such shareholders, the dividend rate depends on the prevailing interest rates in the market and hence is not fixed. Advantage of Preference Share Several reasons exist as to why these shares are preferred over other types. If you are an investor, opting for these shares is the way to future-proof your investments, thus helping you reap the advantages of preference shares. For example, if, by chance, the corporation announces bankruptcy, all holders of preferential stocks will get the first and privileged access to the assets going under the hammer. Such advantages are bound to attract those who have low-risk

A comprehensive guide to Class 21 of the Trademark Filing Classification. Trademarks must be applied or registered under classes and each class represents a distinct class of goods or services.Trademarks must be applied or registered under classes and each class represents a distinct class of goods or services. Trademark Class 21 Trademark Class 21 pertains to household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paintbrushes); brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steelwool; unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes. The following goods are also classified under Class 21: Utensils and containers for household and kitchen use, for example, kitchen utensils, pails, pans of iron, of aluminium, of plastics or of other materials, small hand-operated apparatus for mincing, grinding or pressing; Electric combs; Electric toothbrushes; Dish stands and decanter stands. Therefore, Trademark Class 21 includes mainly small, hand-operated utensils and apparatus for household and kitchen use as well as toilet utensils, glassware and articles in porcelain. The following goods must NOT be classified under Class 21: Certain goods made of glass, porcelain and earthenware (consult the Alphabetical List of Goods); Cleaning preparations, soaps, etc.; Small apparatus for mincing, grinding or pressing, which are driven by electricity; Razors and shaving apparatus, clippers (hand instruments), metal implements and utensils for manicure and pedicure; Cooking utensils, electric; Toilet mirrors. List of goods classified under Trademark Class 21 3D wall art made of terra-cotta 3D wall art of made of ceramic 3D wall art of made of earthenware 3D wall art of made of glass 3D wall art of made of porcelain Abrasive discs for kitchen [cleaning] purposes Abrasive gloves for scrubbing vegetables Abrasive instruments for kitchen [cleaning] purposes Abrasive mitts for scrubbing the skin Abrasive pads Abrasive pads for kitchen purposes Abrasive pads for kitchen or domestic purposes Abrasive sponges for kitchen [cleaning] use Abrasive sponges for scrubbing the skin Aerosol dispensers, not for medical purposes Air fragrancing apparatus All-purpose portable household containers Aluminium bakeware Aluminium cookware Aluminium moulds [kitchen utensils] Aluminum water bottles Aluminum water bottles, empty Animal activated animal feeders Animal activated livestock waterers Animal activated livestock feeders Animal-activated pet feeders Animal bristles [brushware] Animal grooming gloves Animal traps Ant habitats Ant vivaria Anti-reflecting glass Anti-static cloths for household use Apothecary jars Apparatus for cleaning teeth and gums using high pressure water for home use Apparatus for wax-polishing, non-electric Appliances for removing make-up, electric Appliances for removing make-up, non-electric Applicator sticks for applying makeup Applicator sticks for applying make-up Applicators for applying eye make-up Applicators for cosmetics Aquaria and vivaria Aquaria (Indoor -) Aquarium covers Aquarium hoods Aquarium ornaments Aquariums Aromatic oil diffusers, other than reed diffusers Aromatic oil diffusers, other than reed diffusers, electric and non-electric Art objects of glass Articles for cleaning purposes Articles for the care of clothing and footwear Artificial nest eggs Artificial sponges for household purposes Artworks of glass Asparagus tongs Atomisers for household use Attracting and killing insects (Electric devices for -) Autoclaves, non-electric Autoclaves, non-electric, for cooking Autoclaves (Non-electric -) for household use Autoclaves [pressure cookers], non-electric Automatic litter boxes for pets Automatic opening and closing trash cans Automatic pet feeders Automobile oil funnels Automobile wheel cleaning brushes Babies’ potties Baby bath tubs Baby baths Baby baths, portable Baby bathtubs Baby finger toothbrushes Back scratchers Bait stations, empty, for feeding rodenticides to rodents Bakers’ tinware Bakeware Bakeware [not toys] Baking containers made of glass Baking cups of paper Baking dishes Baking dishes made of earthenware Baking dishes made of glass Baking dishes made of porcelain Baking mats Baking sheets of common metal Baking tins Baking trays made of aluminium Baking utensils Bamboo baskets for household purposes Banana hangers Barbecue forks Barbecue mitts Barbecue tongs Barbecue turners Bases for plant pots Basins Basins [bowls] Basins [receptacles] Baskets for domestic use Baskets for household purposes Baskets for waste paper littering Baskets for waste paper littering for household purposes Baskets of common metal for household use Baskets of common metal for domestic use Basting brushes Basting spoons Basting spoons [cooking utensils] Basting spoons, for kitchen use Bath brushes Bath sponges Bathing cages for cats Bathroom basins [receptacles] Bathroom glass holder Bathroom pails Baths (Baby -), portable Bathtub brushes Batter dispensers for kitchen use Battery operated lint removers Battery-powered dental flossers Beaters (Carpet -), not being machines Beaters, non-electric Beaters (Non-electric -) for kitchen use Beer glasses Beer jugs Beer mats not of paper or textile Beer mugs Beer pitchers Beer steins Bento boxes Beverage coolers [containers] Beverage glassware Beverage stirrers Beverage urns, non-electric Beverages (Heat insulated containers for -) Beverageware Billiard table brushes Bins (Dust -) Bins for household refuse Biobased bottles Biodegradable bottles Biodegradable bowls Biodegradable cups Biodegradable paper pulp-based bowls Biodegradable paper pulp-based cups Biodegradable paper pulp-based plates Biodegradable plates Biodegradable rice straws for drinking Biodegradable trays Biodegradable trays for domestic purposes Bird baths Bird baths not being structures Bird cages Bird cages for domestic birds Bird feeders Bird feeders for feeding caged birds Bird feeders for feeding birds in the wild Bird feeders in the nature of containers Bird feeding tables Bird repellent devices, not of metal Birdcages Biscuit cutters Blacking brushes Blenders for food [non-electric] Blenders, non-electric, for household purposes Boards (Ironing -) Bobeches Body cleanser dispensers Body cleanser holders Body scrubbing puffs Body sponges Bone china tableware [other than cutlery] Boot brushes Boot jacks Boot removers Boot stretchers Boot stretchers of wood Boot trees Boot trees [stretchers] Bootjacks Bota bags Bottle baskets coated with precious metal Bottle brushes Bottle buckets Bottle cleaning brushes Bottle coolers Bottle coolers [receptacles] Bottle cradles Bottle gourds Bottle openers Bottle openers, electric and non-electric Bottle openers [hand-operated] Bottle openers incorporating knives Bottle pourers Bottle stands Bottles Bottles for pharmaceuticals sold empty Bottles (Refrigerating -) Bottles, sold empty Bouquet holders Bowls Bowls [basins] Bowls for candy Bowls for floral decorations Bowls for nuts Bowls for plants Bowls for sugar candy Bowls (Glass -) Bowls made of precious metal Bowls of precious metal Boxes for biscuits Boxes for candies Boxes

An insolvent liquidation procedure includes selling assets and the distribution of the proceeds to the company’s creditors. An insolvency practitioner licensed (IP) is assigned to manage the process. It ensures on-time payment to creditors in accordance with the order we see in the Insolvency Act, 1986.   The sequence in which those who are creditors to an insolvent firm are compensated is contingent on the category of creditors. Creditors are classified according to the type of debt a company owes. This ranking determines the priority on which creditor will receive the payments first. What Exactly Is the Liquidation of an Enterprise? If the business is insolvent, liquidators simply sell the company’s assets to pay off debts. The remaining surplus goes to shareholders of the company. It has to be able to satisfy certain conditions to begin this process as an organisation. Also, the Adjudicating Authority should accept it. This is why the Adjudicating Authority (AA) liquidation order in the following instances: If the resolution program for resolution is not received by the deadline, it will be deemed as a failure to comply If the National Court of Adjudicating Authority (NCLT) simply refuses to accept the resolution plan for a variety of reasons The Committee of Creditors (CoC) allows the corporate debtor to liquidate When the resolution plan doesn’t compile with the corporation’s debtor Firstly, the adjudicating authority will approve the proceedings of the liquidation order. Later, a resolution professional for the specific corporate insolvency process will play the role of a liquidator.   Be aware that an Adjudicating Authority can replace the resolution expert appointed at any time as per the IBC (Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code). In essence, the liquidator qualifies as per the IBC code and will fill the role until the completion of the process of liquidation. Which Creditors Are First Paid When a Business Is Insolvent? The term “preferential” refers to a person who holds the status of a preferential creditor during an insolvent liquidation in order to be entitled to the first payment. This rule is present in the Insolvency Act 1986. A formal ‘hierarchy’ set in the Insolvency Act 1986 decides which class of creditors gets the first payment in an insolvent liquidation. In case a company is liquidated, the creditors of each class are required to be paid in full before the funds are allocated to the next class of creditors. The procedure for a company’s insolvency is Secured creditor The liquidation’s expenses Preferential creditor Creditors of ordinary credit Interest on preferred debts and ordinary debts Members of the company In the coming sections, we’ll look at each category in more detail and discuss which types of debts belong to the category. Secured Creditor- The most prominent of these are the secured creditors. They have a legal right over an asset. They are the first ones to receive the debt.         For instance, the bank is entitled to any property assets when a company takes a loan for an industrial warehouse. If the company goes under Liquidation, the liquidator has to make sure that the bank receives the assets. Liquidation Expenses- The liquidators devote significant time to managing each liquidation and receive compensation for their expertise and knowledge. The company’s creditors should agree with the fees before the beginning of insolvency. The costs of liquidation rank over other debts to ensure a smart and knowledgeable person managing the process. This results in maximizing the amount of money that other creditors get.   Preferential Creditors- Priority creditors are business employees who are due holiday or wage payments. Employees who are entitled to payments as a substitute for notice or redundancy payment are not considered preferred creditors. Instead, they are classified as the unsecured creditors of the company. If there aren’t enough funds from the sale of assets to cover the employee’s claims, the remaining balance will be paid by the government’s Redundancy Payments Fund up to certain levels. Creditors With Ordinary Names- The ordinary debts, or those owed to creditors of ordinary standing, comprise the majority of debts that aren’t preferred or secured debt. This typically includes individuals and companies like contractors, suppliers, HMRC and specific staff claims. Interest- As liquidations typically include struggling businesses it’s likely that they have outstanding preferential and normal loans that have followed interest charges. If there’s any cash left after the liquidator pays the secured creditor, liquidation expenses, preferential creditors, and liquidation fees, they could pay interest on the loans. Shareholders and members of the company- after settling all creditors, the liquidator can begin distributing funds to the company’s members. What company members are first depends on variables such as specific shareholdings, corporate rights, and shareholdings. Shareholders will also be the last group to receive payment. Directors often need to provide personal guarantee agreements. This is typically the case for smaller companies and newer ones for bank financing and leases on the property.    The creditor must file a claim first against the company. However, there is no reason to stop them from pursuing personal guarantees in addition. The business shareholders, also called shareholders, are last in the prioritization ranking. There are a variety of classes of shareholders. Generally speaking, they are people who have donated cash to companies, though they could be corporations too. Shareholders have made this risky decision. It means they aren’t eligible for repayment until all the above creditors receive their payments. All shareholders are most at risk of losing their capital. This is why it’s normal for investors to transform a portion of their equity into secured debt in order to ensure they’re paid in case the company fails.   If the creditor gets repaid in accordance with the agreement, the guarantor (the person who made the guarantee) could step in their place and take this money return from the company within the same category. The creditor won’t get the money twice. FAQs What is liquidation hierarchy? Liquidation hierarchy refers to the order in which the assets of a company are distributed among its creditors