The Economic Times

Sebi launches a voluntary lock-in facility for mutual funds, allowing investors to temporarily freeze withdrawals or debits. The feature enhances digital security for both demat and non-demat folios via MF Central.

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new draft guidelines for customer protection in electronic banking, effective July 1, 2026. These rules aim to offer compensation for small-value online frauds up to Rs 50,000 and ensure zero liability in cases of bank negligence or third-party breaches reported promptly.

Scammers are using fake approval letters on social media, claiming eligibility for PM Mudra loans and demanding a fee for release. The Press Information Bureau has confirmed these letters are fraudulent. Mudra, a refinancing agency, does not lend directly to individuals, making any upfront payment request a clear sign of a scam.

The Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) has proposed a fitment factor of 3.0 to 3.25 for the 8th Pay Commission, aiming to increase the minimum basic salary to Rs 54,000. This recommendation is based on the 15th Indian Labour Conference norms, considering essential consumption baskets and additional modern expenses like LPG and internet.

360 ONE Mutual Fund has launched the DynaSIF Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund, a new scheme open for subscription until March 20. This fund aims for long-term growth and income generation by dynamically allocating across equity, debt, commodities, and alternatives, while actively managing risk. It seeks to provide resilient, risk-adjusted returns in the current volatile market environment.

EPFO has announced an 8.25% interest rate for the financial year 2025-26. This rate remains unchanged from the previous year. Employees' Provident Fund members can expect the interest to be credited to their accounts within three to six months following the official government notification.

Women hold only 25% of mutual fund folios in India and typically start investing five years later than men, according to a report by Lxme and EY India. Smaller ticket sizes and delayed market entry contribute to a persistent wealth gap, highlighting structural barriers in financial systems despite rising banking access.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund has launched the Apex Hybrid Long-Short Fund, the first strategy under its Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) framework. Targeted at high-net-worth investors, the fund combines equity, debt, and derivatives with a long-short approach, aiming for superior risk-adjusted returns while offering equity-like taxation benefits.

Nifty 50s back-to-back gap downs of over 1% signal more than short-term volatility, historical data shows. Across nine such events, markets rarely rebound immediately, reflecting institutional selling and macro pressures. Experts advise investors to stay disciplined, avoid aggressive bottom-fishing, and wait for clearer market signals before taking positions.

Worried about life insurance during conflict? Life insurance claims are generally not denied due to war for civilians, even in conflict zones like Israel-Iran. Insurers assess claims based on the proximate cause of death, relying on official documents and government verification. Read on to understand how life insurance policies typically handle such situations, and what policyholders and nominees should know.

Investors often overcomplicate mutual fund portfolios with too many schemes. Financial experts advise simplifying SIPs for long-term wealth. Heena, an investor, sought advice on her Rs 8,500 monthly SIP across six funds. A CFP recommended reducing the mix to three funds for better diversification and easier management.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank has updated its fixed deposit interest rates for deposits under Rs 3 crore, effective March 6, 2026. Customers can now earn up to 7.90% annually on a 5-year FD, with senior citizens receiving an additional 0.20% for a total of 8.10%. These revised rates offer competitive yields and flexibility across various tenures.

The 8th Central Pay Commission is now accepting suggestions. Central government employees and pensioners can submit their views online. The portal is open from March 5, 2026, to April 30, 2026. This commission is crucial for over one crore individuals. Feedback is also sought from ministries, departments, and judicial officers. All submissions must be made via the MyGov portal.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has been recognized by the India Book of Records for its extensive financial literacy campaign targeting female students. The 15-day initiative reached nearly 40,000 girl students across 320 colleges, aiming to build early investment habits and financial confidence among young women.

Indian equity markets have seen increased volatility, with the BSE Sensex slipping over 7% this year. Financial experts advise mutual fund investors to continue SIPs during corrections, viewing it as an opportunity to accumulate units at attractive valuations rather than a reason to pause investments.

According to the Sebi mandate, the large cap mutual funds are mandated to invest in top 100 companies by market capitalisation. Large companies fare better in a volatile market as these companies may be market leaders and resilient to downturns. That is why if you are looking for a relatively safer mutual fund category, you should consider investing in large cap funds.

India's insurance regulator, IRDAI, is proposing a significant shift in financial reporting for all insurers. Starting April 1, 2026, insurance companies will adopt the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS). This move aims to boost policyholder protection and confidence. It will also bring greater clarity to insurers' financial reporting.

The Karnataka High Court has penalized an employer 77,000 for delaying provident fund contributions for two employees over two years. The court ruled that the penalty under EPFO rules cannot be less than 25% of the unpaid amount, including interest. This decision adjusted a previous tribunal order, emphasizing adherence to PF regulations.

Equity markets have experienced significant corrections, with indices like the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 showing declines. Despite negative sentiment, experts suggest this period presents an opportunity for investors to rebalance portfolios and consider averaging investments, aligning with long-term goals and risk tolerance.

Pay additional tax, file an updated returnand still face 30% tax and 300% penalty under the Black Money Act? Unless Finance Bill 2026 resolves the mismatch between the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 and the Income-tax Act, this technical inconsistency could defeat the very purpose of voluntary disclosure.

UAE's inheritance laws are changing for expats in 2026. Non-Muslims dying without a will will see their estates divided equally between spouse and children, or passed to parents/siblings. Previously, assets of heirless expats went to the state; now they'll become charitable endowments. Muslim residents continue to follow Sharia law by default.

Gold rates today: The India Bullion and Jewellers Association reported significant drops across various gold purities, with 24K gold falling by Rs 270 per gram. Major jewellery brands also reflected this downward trend in their retail prices.

S Naren of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company says AI currently supports investment research but could complicate CIO roles if it begins making decisions. He also discussed balanced advantage funds, cautious IPO exposure, and the appeal of multi-asset allocation funds for diversified investing.

The Supreme Court has directed a husband's employer to deduct Rs 25,000 monthly from his salary. This amount will be sent directly to his estranged wife for the maintenance of her and their minor child. The court took this step after the husband failed to comply with previous maintenance orders. He had also not supported his daughter for four years.

A Morningstar report spotlights three leading women fund managers in IndiaSunaina Da Cunha, Meenakshi Dawar, and Rajasa Kakulavarapu. Through disciplined investment strategies and strong long-term performance across debt, value, and flexi-cap funds, they exemplify the growing influence of women professionals in senior portfolio management roles.

Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund shared historical data on market performance. After 18-month periods of stagnation, the Nifty 50 index historically saw significant returns. The data covers 13 instances since 2000. This analysis offers a perspective for investors awaiting a market rebound. Current market conditions are also presented for comparison.

Madhya Pradesh government employees will receive a 58% dearness allowance starting April 2026. This matches the central government's rate. Arrears from July 2025 to March 2026 will be paid in installments from May 2026. Pensioners will also see a dearness relief increase. Meanwhile, Kerala government recently approved a 10% DA hike.

This pension plan offers guaranteed lifetime income combined with market-linked growth potential through up to 40% equity exposure. It also provides flexible premium payment options and immediate or deferred annuity choices, catering to evolving retirement planning needs and ensuring financial security for individuals.

Axis Asset Management Company has elevated R Sivakumar as Chief Investment Officer following the exit of Ashish Gupta. A founding member of Axis AMC, Sivakumar brings more than 25 years of experience and will lead the fund houses investment strategy, research processes and investment teams as part of the firms internal succession plan.

Ionic Wealth, an AI-driven wealth-tech platform, has achieved $1 billion in assets under management within 22 months. This success stems from its unique omnichannel approach, blending expert advice with advanced technology. The platform offers features like AI-powered virtual assistants and seamless portfolio aggregation, catering to India's burgeoning affluent investor base.

Punjab National Bank is adjusting daily ATM cash withdrawal limits for certain debit cards starting April 1, 2026. Customers can now withdraw up to Rs 50,000 or Rs 75,000 daily depending on their card type. These changes aim to enhance security and customer safety. Limits for other card types and POS transactions remain unchanged.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I had purchased GOI Savings Bonds issued by the RBI in 2018. These bonds carried a fixed interest rate of 7.75% per annum. I reported accrued interest yearly in my ITRs using the accrual method, though it never appeared in Form 26AS. Without documents to show yearly accruals, how can I explain this to the tax authorities?

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has launched the Mirae Asset Silver ETF FoF, an open-ended fund of fund investing in the Mirae Asset Silver ETF. The NFO is open until March 18 with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000. The scheme offers investors exposure to silver through a mutual fund structure.