The Economic Times

West Bengal's Annapurna Yojana, effective June 1, 2026, will provide Rs 3,000 monthly financial aid to eligible women aged 25-60. This scheme replaces Lakshmir Bhandar for most beneficiaries, with an online application process opening on the same date. The initiative aims to offer assured financial support directly to women's bank accounts.

Gold prices on MCX slipped amid rising geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices and inflation concerns linked to the delayed US-Iran deal. Experts advise investors to avoid panic selling and instead hold or accumulate gold in phases during dips. Financial gold options like ETFs and mutual funds are preferred. Analysts recommend allocating 10-15% of portfolios to gold and expect prices to remain strong through 2026.

Gold-based mutual funds and value index schemes emerged among the best-performing lumpsum investments over three years, delivering up to 36% CAGR and significantly outperforming many equity, debt, and passive funds.

Central government employees await the 8th Pay Commission report, anticipating arrears from January 1, 2026. While dearness allowance arrears are expected due to recalculation on revised basic pay, house rent and transport allowance arrears are unlikely, following past practices. Employees may receive 20-24 months of arrears based on the final fitment factor and notification timeline.

Gold prices saw a dip today. Investors are watching US-Iran peace talks and inflation trends closely. Jewellery brands like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas reported lower rates for 22k gold.

Home loan interest rates: Choosing a home loan involves comparing floating and fixed interest rates. Floating rates can decrease but also increase with RBI policy. Fixed rates offer stable EMIs, which can be beneficial as income grows. ET Wealth Online presents the 10 lowest fixed and floating home loan rates from banks as of May 25, 2026.

Six equity mutual funds have achieved over 20% CAGR across three, five, and seven-year periods, with all originating from midcap and smallcap categories. Nippon India Mutual Fund led with two funds, while Edelweiss, HDFC, Invesco, and Quant each had one fund on this exclusive list.

Eight midcap stocks, including Indian Overseas Bank, RVNL, and Adani Total Gas, were avoided by mutual funds in March 2026, with Ventura largely calling decisions prudent except for MCX.

The 8th Central Pay Commission is set to visit Bhubaneswar on July 6 and 7, 2026. Central government organizations and unions can request appointments by May 31, 2026.

Individuals and HUFs without business income but with complex income sources like salary, multiple house properties, or capital gains can file ITR-2 for AY 2026-27 by July 31, 2026. Key errors to avoid include misclassifying capital gains, neglecting foreign asset disclosures, and incorrect residential status determination.

New central government rules under the Labour Code offer significant benefits to employees facing job loss due to business reasons. These workers are now entitled to retrenchment compensation amounting to fifteen days' average pay for each year of service. Additionally, employers must contribute to a re-skilling fund, providing a further financial cushion for affected individuals.

Inheriting property via Will? While mutation records update who pays taxes, they don't transfer ownership. Courts permit mutation for heirs but clarify it's not proof of ownership. Legal heirs become co-owners and cannot evict others without a court order or formal partition. Long possession alone doesn't grant ownership; adverse possession requires strict proof.

Bank holiday today: Banks across numerous Indian states will be closed today, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, for the Eid-ul-Adha festival. This holiday, also known as Bakrid or Id-ul-Zuha, affects banking operations in specific regions.

Gilt funds invest in government securities. These funds are sensitive to interest rate changes. Rising yields have recently led to weak returns for gilt funds. Investors should consider gilt funds when bond yields are high. These funds are not ideal for those seeking stable returns or high liquidity. Understanding interest rate cycles is key for gilt fund investors.

In a significant policyholder-centric move, IRDAI has linked insurance executive pay to customer-centric metrics like claim settlement and grievance redressal. Insurers must now publicly disclose detailed data on claim timelines, complaint handling, and product performance, empowering policyholders to make informed decisions beyond just premiums.

Pune Police have clarified that no 14-day curfew is being imposed in the city. Social media rumours about a curfew starting May 26, 2026, are false. Banks will operate as usual and are not affected by any curfew. Bank holidays are determined by the Reserve Bank of India. Customers should consult the RBI holiday calendar for specific dates.

A fake email claiming to be from the Reserve Bank of India is circulating. It asks people to pay a credit fee for a 'Donation Program 2026' or to receive lottery compensation. The PIB Fact Check team has confirmed this is a phishing attempt. Citizens are warned not to share personal or financial details.

Five small cap mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised returns in the last three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap at 29.1%. Passive small cap index funds also posted strong gains, while several popular active small cap schemes remained laggards with single-digit returns.

Under National Pension System's (NPS) Retirement Income Schemes (RIS), subscribers can choose periodic payouts till age 85 via Systematic Payout Rate or Systematic Unit Redemption. The scheme aims to balance regular income, market-linked returns, and corpus longevity through a structured glide path.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have a DDA flat since 2008, which is leasehold. I now want to sell it. Is it mandatory to convert it to freehold? Do I need the signature of the original allottee?

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw a dip on May 26, 2026, as diplomatic talks between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz offered hopes for a peace agreement. This followed recent US-Iran strikes, influencing market sentiment.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Funds Sankaran Naren emerged as the top mutual fund manager by assets under management in the March 2026 quarter, overseeing Rs 1.59 lakh crore. The list of top fund managers managing over Rs 1 lakh crore AUM also included Rajeev Thakkar, Chirag Setalvad, Amit Ganatra, Shreyash Devalkar, and Sailesh Raj Bhan.

The Reserve Bank of India is proactively assessing potential borrower stress due to the US-Iran conflict, engaging with local credit rating agencies. Discussions focused on evaluating ground conditions and the need for temporary regulatory relief to safeguard creditworthiness. Authorities aim to prevent economic growth from being hampered by any emerging financial strain.

The Indian Railway Technical Supervisors' Association has proposed a significant change for the 8th Pay Commission. Instead of a single fitment factor, IRTSA suggests multiple multipliers for different employee levels. This aims to create a more balanced salary structure. The association also seeks a new cadre structure and enhanced career progression for technical supervisors.

Investors can now gain real estate exposure through REITs, an alternative to direct property purchase. These trusts pool funds to invest in income-generating properties like offices and malls. REITs offer potential returns between fixed deposits and equities, with yields ranging from 6% to 9%. They distribute a significant portion of rental income to unit holders, providing periodic payouts.

Mutual funds reduced their exposure to private banks for the second consecutive month in April, driven by tactical rotation and near-term earnings and margin concerns. Experts suggest this is a short-term adjustment rather than a structural shift, with banking sector funds experiencing recent declines but offering long-term accumulation opportunities.

The husband, a Chartered Accountant (CA) by profession, had in 2004 filed for a divorce on the ground of cruelty, claiming that wife was not behaving properly; was not doing her household work; she was disobedient towards his parents; her behavior was rude; she was not able to cook; the wife caused him mental stress, all these acts amount to cruelty.

Private sector employees in India face limited legal recourse against appraisal discrimination, especially when it's not gender-based. While constitutional articles and the Code on Wages offer some protection, employers retain wide discretion in determining increments. Proving subjective bias in appraisals is challenging, requiring a comparator, a protected ground, and written evidence.

A retired government employee's son finally received Rs 6.71 lakh in unpaid salary after a 21-year wait. While the Patna High Court initially ordered interest on the full arrears, a larger bench restricted it to three years preceding the court filing. This decision aligns with Supreme Court precedents on delayed claims.

Bank holiday: Banks will observe closures for Bakri ID (Id-Uz-Zuha) on May 27 and 28, 2026, with dates varying by state. This divergence follows central and Telangana government decisions to shift the holiday to May 28. Customers should verify local bank holiday schedules before planning transactions.

India is actively shaping its digital asset future. Authorities are implementing stricter rules for crypto platforms and transactions. Tax collections are rising, and law enforcement is building capacity. Investor interest is shifting towards long-term allocation. New regulations are formalising real-world asset tokenisation. India is setting a global precedent in this evolving financial space.

Gold prices saw a slight increase on Monday, May 25, 2026, influenced by ongoing US-Iran peace talks. Major retailers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher rates for 22k gold. The IBJA also indicated a rise in gold and silver prices compared to May 22, 2026.

Foreign hackers attempted a novel AI-powered cyberattack targeting two-factor authentication using a zero-day exploit. Google's Threat Intelligence Group detected and thwarted this sophisticated plot, which aimed for mass exploitation. The AI-generated exploit exploited a logic flaw in a server administration tool, highlighting a new frontier in cyber threats. Consumers are urged to update software and use stronger authentication methods.

The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favour of exempt trust employees. Those who retired after September 1, 2014, and contributed Provident Fund on actual wages can now claim a higher EPS 95 pension. The court quashed the EPFO's rejection orders. This decision allows eligible employees to exercise joint options for enhanced pension calculations.

Planning your retirement corpus is crucial. A Rs 2 crore fund may not last 20 years with high withdrawals. Experts suggest a bucket strategy for sustainable income. This involves allocating funds for immediate needs, stable income, and growth. Careful planning and realistic withdrawals are key to ensuring your retirement fund lasts.

The 8th Pay Commission is still consulting stake holders on salary, pension and allowance revisions before finalising its report. Once approved, it may be implemented by late 2027, with arrears likely from January 1, 2026. Employee bodies have proposed varying fitment factors. Once the report is submitted, approved and implemented, central government employees will get arrears and increased pay outs.

LIC new plans 2026: Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched two new joint life insurance savings plans, LICs New Jeevan Sathi Single Premium and LICs New Jeevan Sathi Limited Premium. These non-par, non-market linked plans offer couples financial protection and long-term savings with guaranteed additions and fixed benefits, ensuring certainty on returns and payouts.