Fact-Check Policy

At Gurukul Kota, we understand the critical role of accuracy and integrity in financial content. Our readers rely on us for clear, credible, and trustworthy information that can guide their financial decisions. In the world of finance—where misinformation can lead to monetary loss, scams, or poor financial planning—it is our ethical responsibility to verify the authenticity of the data and statements we publish.

This Fact-Check Policy outlines the principles, procedures, and accountability mechanisms we follow to ensure the highest standards of truthfulness in our content.

Why Fact-Checking Matters in Finance

Misinformation in the finance sector can have serious consequences such as:

  • Misinformed investments
  • Falling prey to Ponzi schemes or frauds
  • Misunderstanding tax regulations
  • Spreading outdated or incorrect government policy interpretations
  • Making risky financial decisions based on false claims

By implementing a robust fact-checking system, we aim to:

  • Prevent the spread of financial misinformation
  • Promote financial literacy with accurate information
  • Maintain the trust and confidence of our audience
  • Contribute positively to the online financial education ecosystem

Our Fact-Checking Philosophy

We commit to:

  • Accuracy First: Every claim, statistic, or interpretation is verified before publishing.
  • Transparency: We cite original sources clearly and disclose potential uncertainties.
  • Accountability: We correct errors when they are discovered and inform readers of updates.
  • Neutrality: All content is fact-based and free from personal, political, or financial bias.

What We Fact-Check

We perform rigorous fact-checking on all types of content, including:

1. Financial Advice & Tips

  • Budgeting strategies
  • Saving and investing tips
  • Credit-building practices

2. Government Schemes

  • PM Jan Dhan Yojana
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
  • National Pension Scheme (NPS)
  • RBI or SEBI guidelines

3. Tax Information

  • Income tax slabs
  • Filing deadlines
  • Deductions under sections like 80C, 80D, etc.

4. Market & Economic Updates

  • Stock performance trends
  • Inflation reports
  • Bank interest rates

5. Product Reviews

  • Mutual funds
  • Insurance plans
  • Loan offers and credit cards

6. User-Submitted Claims

  • Comments or emails that contain financial statements
  • Misleading claims by third-party submissions

Sources We Trust

We only use reliable and verifiable sources for our content. These include:

  • Government websites
  • Official bank or finance portals
    • SBI, ICICI, HDFC, Axis Bank, etc.
    • AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds in India)
    • IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
  • Financial regulatory updates
    • Union Budget documents
    • Ministry of Finance circulars
    • GST Council announcements
  • Reputed financial news outlets
    • Economic Times
    • Moneycontrol
    • LiveMint
    • Business Standard
  • Whitepapers and Reports
    • OECD, IMF, World Bank, and credible think tanks

We do not base our content on:

  • WhatsApp forwards
  • Unverified social media posts
  • Clickbait headlines or spam sites

Fact-Checking Process

Our editorial and research team follows a multi-step process:

1. Claim Identification

We review the draft for:

  • Statistical claims
  • Financial projections
  • Regulatory references
  • Product comparisons

2. Source Validation

We cross-reference the claim with:

  • At least two authoritative sources
  • The latest regulatory documents
  • Official press releases or notifications

3. Expert Review

If the information involves legal, tax, or investment complexities, we consult:

  • Certified Financial Planners (CFPs)
  • Chartered Accountants (CAs)
  • Investment experts
  • SEBI-registered professionals

4. Citation and Attribution

  • Every claim includes a reference or link
  • Date of publication or update is included
  • Disclaimers are added where necessary

5. Final Editorial Check

The article is reviewed by an editorial lead to ensure:

  • Consistency of data
  • Correct context
  • Readability and transparency

Handling Corrections and Updates

We take corrections seriously. If a factual error is reported or discovered, we:

  • Immediately verify the concern
  • Update the content with the correct information
  • Add a timestamp and correction note at the bottom of the article

You can report errors to gkulkota@gmail.com with subject line: “Fact Check – [Article Title]”.

Example Correction Notice:

Updated on July 5, 2025: The earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the NPS withdrawal age is 58. The correct age is 60.

Editorial Independence in Fact-Checking

We maintain strict separation between:

  • Editorial content (researched independently)
  • Sponsored content (clearly labeled and fact-checked)
  • Affiliate partnerships (do not influence factual integrity)

Our fact-checking decisions are not influenced by:

  • Business interests
  • Partnerships or advertisers
  • Political affiliations

What We Don’t Do

While we try our best to present only factual, accurate, and actionable content, we do not:

  • Offer personalized financial advice
  • Predict market performance or stock prices
  • Endorse speculative schemes or investments
  • Verify unverifiable claims or hearsay
  • Publish rumors or unofficial data

User Responsibility

We encourage readers to:

  • Cross-check information before acting on it
  • Consult certified professionals for personalized advice
  • Be cautious of financial misinformation on social media

How You Can Help

You can support factual content by:

  • Reporting any inaccuracies you spot
  • Suggesting updates when laws or policies change
  • Sharing fact-checked articles with others

Together, we can build a responsible and informed financial community.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Fact-Check Policy or wish to report a factual error, contact:

Gurukul Kota
Email: gkulkota@gmail.com
Website: https://www.gurukulkota.org

Last updated: July 2, 2025