The Economic Times

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme offers a higher interest rate than the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. An investment of five lakh rupees in SCSS yields approximately forty-one thousand rupees annually. The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme provides nearly thirty-seven thousand rupees in annual interest. SCSS offers tax benefits on principal investment under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Salaried individuals, pensioners, and students must select the appropriate ITR form for AY 2026-2027. Taxpayers not requiring an audit can use ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-3 for their filings. The due date for filing income tax returns is July 31, 2027. Certain transactions necessitate filing an ITR even below basic exemption limits. Understanding these guidelines ensures accurate tax compliance for all individuals.

Five Nifty Next 50 ETFs topped large-cap fund performance with annualised returns of nearly 19% over three years, while five BSE Sensex index funds lagged, delivering modest single-digit annualised returns between 6% and 6.7%.

Mutual fund SIP inflows rose to a three-month high of Rs 31,781 crore in June, up 3% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year, according to AMFI data. Equity mutual fund inflows also rebounded sharply, jumping 26% from May to Rs 28,973 crore, reflecting stronger investor participation and renewed interest in equity schemes amid improving market sentiment.

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and Groww are debating direct mutual fund offerings publicly. Kamath reiterated Zerodha's commitment to free direct mutual fund plans. Groww clarified that its optional subscription service does not replace direct mutual funds. Direct mutual funds remain free for do-it-yourself investors on Groww. This debate highlights shifts in India's investment platform industry.

Equity mutual fund inflows saw a significant surge in June, reaching Rs 28,973 crore. Midcap funds attracted the highest investor interest, followed by small cap and flexi cap funds. Sectoral and thematic funds experienced a substantial jump in inflows during the month. Conversely, dividend yield and ELSS funds continued to witness outflows. This data reflects investor activity as reported by AMFI for the month.

Taxpayers can reset their Income Tax e-filing portal passwords without a registered mobile number. Options include using a Digital Signature Certificate or net banking facilities. If these are unavailable, an email request with necessary documents can be sent.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund will halt new SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes. This suspension takes effect from July 10, 2026, impacting international and sectoral funds. Existing systematic transactions will continue as usual without any changes. The fund house cited nearing overseas investment limits as the primary reason for this decision. Investors were previously informed about subscription caps on these specific schemes.

The HDFC Defence Fund boosted its holdings in Mazagon Dock and Tata Motors during June. It also added shares of Bharat Electronics, BEML, and Bosch to its portfolio. The fund completely exited Rishabh Instruments, selling its entire stake. Seventeen existing stock exposures remained unchanged, including Bharat Forge and HAL. The fund's performance has outperformed its benchmark in shorter timeframes.

NJ Mutual Fund has launched the NJ Momentum Fund, an NFO that seeks to capture strong price trends through a rules-based momentum strategy backed by quality filters. While experts see momentum as a useful satellite allocation, they advise limiting exposure and caution that investors may be better off choosing proven, lower-cost existing momentum funds.

Gold prices saw an increase today across major Indian jewellery brands. Tanishq's 22k gold jewellery is priced at Rs 13,320 per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas also show similar rates. IBJA's indicative rates for gold and silver were released for July 9. The 24k gold price at Tanishq is Rs 14,531 per gram.

Term insurance offers protection, but an accidental death rider provides additional payout. This rider is an optional add-on, not a replacement for base coverage. It specifically covers fatalities directly resulting from accidents like road or air mishaps. Individuals in high-risk occupations or frequent travelers should consider this rider. However, increasing base term cover is prioritized if existing life insurance is insufficient.

Salaried employees can claim child education allowance tax exemption under the old tax regime. This exemption is available for up to two children per taxpayer. For FY 2026-27, the monthly limit increases significantly to Rs 3,000 per child. Self-employed individuals and those opting for the new tax regime cannot claim this benefit. Both parents can claim the exemption separately for their eligible children.

Indian residents holding foreign assets must report them in Schedule FA. This reporting uses the calendar year ending December 31, 2025. Assets held even for one day during this period require declaration. This applies irrespective of the foreign country's fiscal year. Failure to report can lead to penalties for non-compliance.

Flexi cap funds offer fund managers investment freedom across market capitalizations and sectors. These schemes are recommended for moderate investors seeking long-term wealth creation over five years. Investors should carefully select schemes aligning with their individual risk appetite and temperament. Several flexi cap funds are highlighted for potential investment in July 2026. Performance metrics like rolling returns and downside risk guide fund selection.

Overseas financial account information will now be included in taxpayers' Form 26AS. This move will allow taxpayers to view their foreign financial data with the Income Tax Department. It helps reconcile overseas income and assets with tax filings effectively. The CBDT has directed the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) to upload this information. Information relating to 2022, 2023, and 2024 will be uploaded within ninety days.

This is a CBDT order dated July 8, 2026 issued under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. It is an administrative order that authorizes the Income-tax Department to upload foreign financial information received under Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) into taxpayers' Annual Information Statement (AIS) in Form 26AS/AIS. Know more.

SSY interest rate: The Sukanya Samriddhi Account offers an 8.2% annual interest rate, compounded yearly. Parents can invest up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually for a girl child's future. Consistent investment builds a significant corpus over a 21-year maturity period. Deposits and earnings under this scheme are tax-exempt, providing significant financial benefits.

ITR Filing 2026: Income Tax Return forms now require additional details for Section 80G deductions. Taxpayers must report transaction reference numbers and bank IFSC codes for donations. Schedule 80GGC also mandates providing the political party's name and PAN. These enhanced disclosures apply to AY 2026-2027 filings. The changes aim to improve traceability of charitable contributions.

Around 13 mutual funds and two Specialized Investment Funds are currently open for subscription across categories including hybrid, index, ETF, multi-asset and large & midcap funds. Investors can choose from offerings by ICICI Prudential, SBI, Mirae Asset, UTI and others.

JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund exited Vedanta group companies following the demerger of the entities in June, according to monthly portfolio data from ACE MF. The fund sold 8.16 lakh shares each of Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Vedanta Iron and Steel, Vedanta Power, and Vedanta Oil and Gas after the demerged entities were listed on June 15, 2026.

EPFO has centralized its member database for faster and smoother service delivery. Annual interest for FY 2025-2026 will be credited by July 15, 2026. Advance withdrawal auto-settlement limits have been raised to Rs 5 lakh. Automatic PF account transfers will occur upon job changes without separate forms. EPFO services are now accessible from any PF office across India.

Around 59% of large and midcap stocks are trading at least 20% below their all-time highs after the recent market correction, creating attractive long-term investment opportunities, according to Abakkus Mutual Fund. The fund house believes improving earnings, reasonable valuations and active stock selection could drive the next phase of returns.

PFRDA has formed a committee to attract global pension capital into India. This committee, named ASCEND, will create a roadmap for collaborations. Indian pension funds will partner with global funds through co-investment platforms. This initiative aims to finance infrastructure and support economic development. NPS subscribers will benefit from diversification and long-term risk-adjusted returns.

Gold prices remained steady across major Indian cities on July 9, 2026. Tanishq showed a slight increase in 22K gold jewellery prices from yesterday. Other leading jewellers like Malabar Gold & Diamonds also saw price adjustments. Consumers are advised to compare rates from different brands for better value. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also provided updated gold and silver rates.

State Bank of India has raised over $1.5 billion from overseas citizens. This program offers attractive returns due to Reserve Bank of India subsidies. Depositors can leverage funds, earning more than their borrowing costs. Banks are expanding outreach to India's large diaspora globally. This initiative echoes a similar plan from 2013.

Resident and ordinarily resident individuals must report foreign assets. This disclosure is required in Schedule FA of the income tax return. Non-resident Indians and resident but not ordinarily resident individuals are exempt. Schedule FA requires reporting peak values and beneficial ownership details. Failure to comply can lead to significant penalties under the Black Money Act.

Salaried employees face a crucial tax decision between old and new regimes. The new tax regime offers lower tax liability across various income levels. However, substantial deductions can make the old tax regime more beneficial. Taxpayers should calculate their actual tax under both systems. This ensures the most tax-efficient choice for their financial situation.

The Telangana High Court recently held that where an SBI employees' VRS application had already been accepted then his death before the formal retirement date would not defeat the claim of his family (legal heirs) to receive the VRS benefits. Read below to know more about what the Telangana High Court said.

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research endorsed the Centre's decision on pension options. This move allows compassionate appointees to opt for the Old Pension Scheme. These individuals applied for jobs before January 1, 2004, but joined later. A key letter from the Department of Personnel facilitated this change for CSIR appointees. Other Central Autonomous Bodies may now follow this precedent for their employees.

A Rs 58,000 monthly SIP with a 10% annual step-up may not reach the Rs 10 crore goal. Increasing the annual SIP step-up to 20% could exceed the target corpus. The expert suggests rebalancing market-cap allocation for better diversification. Shifting investments from gold and silver ETFs towards equity funds is advised. The portfolio requires adjustments to achieve long-term financial objectives.

Taxpayers often invest in ELSS funds for Section 80C deductions. These funds offer potential for higher returns over the long term. ELSS schemes have a three-year lock-in period, shorter than other options. Investors should consider ELSS for long-term equity exposure and potential growth. Several ELSS funds are recommended for investment consideration.

Taxpayers filing updated returns face incorrect interest charges. Centralised Processing Centre calculates Section 234B interest beyond tax payment dates. This leads to excess demands and additional income tax levies. The law mandates interest cessation upon full tax payment before filing. Taxpayers should seek rectification for these erroneous demands.

Employees Provident Fund interest for FY 2025-26 will be credited by July 15, 2026. Subscribers will receive an 8.25% interest rate on their EPF contributions. This marks the third consecutive year the interest rate remains unchanged. EPFO members can check their balance through the UMANG app or SMS service. Interest accrues monthly, so delays do not cause subscriber losses.

Digital asset infrastructure is increasingly driven by efficiency and market access. Blockchain networks offer faster settlement and continuous risk management capabilities. Tokenisation and multi-asset platforms are reshaping financial distribution models. Clear regulation will significantly shape mainstream adoption of these technologies. India's digital public infrastructure may benefit from these evolving market structures.

Sharpe ratio measures risk-adjusted returns by comparing excess returns to risk. Here are the five flexicap mutual funds with the highest Sharpe ratios and their three-year performance.

Five equity mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised SIP returns in 10 years, led by Quant Small Cap. Investors should prioritise risk profile, goals, and investment horizon over past performance.

PGIM India Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions in three international fund of funds from July 9, citing overseas investment limits. Fresh SIP registrations will not be accepted after the cut-off time on July 8, while existing SIP and STP instalments will continue without interruption.

KFintech's Finex program significantly reduces mutual fund SIP processing times. Physical SIP registrations now achieve same-day activation, a major improvement. This transformation leverages AI and automation for efficient data handling.