The Economic Times

Central and state governments are implementing various schemes to enhance women's financial security and independence. Initiatives like Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin, Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, and Subhadra Yojana offer direct financial assistance.

Women investors in India are increasingly choosing systematic investment plans for mutual fund investments. Data shows that 64% of women with annual income below Rs 5 lakh prefer SIPs, while the preference for SIPs remains strong across higher income brackets, highlighting the growing adoption of disciplined investing among women.

Following a ban on real money gaming apps, offshore betting platforms are proliferating, exploiting loopholes. Nithin Kamath suggests blocking UPI transactions and bank transfers to curb these scammy apps. The Economic Times Tech graphic details how these platforms lure users with low entry costs and then route funds offshore, leading to withdrawal issues.

Several mutual funds have delivered strong SIP returns over the past three years, led by gold funds and multi-asset allocation schemes. Data from Value Research shows that a monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 in some of these funds would have grown significantly, highlighting the potential of disciplined long-term investing.

Highest FD interest rates: Several banks, including HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, and Bandhan Bank, have updated their fixed deposit interest rates in March 2026. Suryoday Small Finance Bank is offering general citizens up to 7.90% and senior citizens up to 8.10% on a 5-year FD. Other banks also provide competitive rates for various tenures.

Women are emerging as the fastest-growing segment in Indias financial ecosystem, according to Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta. Participation by women has surged across mutual funds, equities, insurance and digital payments, reflecting a broader shift toward investment-driven financial planning and increasing financial inclusion across the country.

Quant Small Cap Fund reshuffled its portfolio in February, adding HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and five other stocks while reducing exposure to Jio Financial Services and three others. The fund also exited Stanley Lifestyles and increased stakes in select companies, reflecting portfolio adjustments amid shifting sector allocations and market conditions.

A Pune man successfully challenged the Income Tax Department, securing a full tax exemption on his Rs 3.21 crore land sale. Despite a technical error of not fully depositing sale proceeds into a special account (CGAS) before filing his ITR, the ITAT Pune ruled in his favor, citing legislative intent to encourage house investment.

HDFC Bank has lowered its lending rates. Borrowers will benefit from reduced interest costs. The new rates are effective from March 7, 2026. Overnight and one-month MCLRs see a 10 basis point cut. Other tenors are also reduced. This move impacts loans linked to the MCLR regime. Fixed deposit rates have also been revised.

Starting mutual fund investments later in life does not mean missing out on wealth creation. An expert outlines a Rs 40,000 monthly SIP strategy for a 50-year-old investor seeking moderate risk, recommending a mix of hybrid, flexi-cap and index funds to balance stability, diversification and long-term growth potential.

Sovereign Gold Bond : The RBI has set a premature redemption price of Rs 16,063 per unit for Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) 2020-21 Series VI and XII, maturing in March 2026. Investors in Series XII can expect up to a 248% absolute return, while Series VI offers around 217% without factoring in interest.

Indian women investors are increasingly shifting from fixed deposits to equity mutual funds, with their portfolio share rising significantly. They are now building goal-mapped portfolios, embracing a more sophisticated understanding of risk, and demonstrating maturity during market downturns. AI is aiding their research, but human judgment remains key in investment decisions.

Mutual fund investors can soon opt for a voluntary debit freeze facility, enhancing digital security. This feature, rolling out from April 30, 2026, will prevent unit debits until unlocked. Registrar and Transfer Agents will offer this through the MF Central platform for KYC-compliant individuals. AMFI will detail the process and allowed transactions during the lock-in period.

Central government employees and pensioners are keenly awaiting the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) announcement for January 2026. Despite Holi passing, no official word has emerged. Calculations based on the AICPI-IW suggest a potential 2% hike, raising the DA from 58% to 60%. This adjustment aims to combat inflation, ensuring employees' purchasing power remains stable.

A Karnataka High Court ruling clarified that under the Indian Succession Act, a mother cannot inherit her son's property if he dies intestate and is survived by his wife and children. This contrasts with the Hindu Succession Act, where mothers are Class I heirs and inherit equally with children and widows.

Indians facing emergencies can leverage their property for substantial funds through a Loan Against Property. This secured loan offers larger amounts and longer repayment periods compared to personal loans. Lenders assess both the borrower's financial stability and the property's value and legal standing.

UAE residents and expats with significant financial assets should draft and register a Will to ensure their property distribution. Sharia Law governs Muslims, while non-Muslims have statutory distribution, with recent amendments directing intestate estates to charitable endowments if no heirs exist. Options for registration include Dubai Courts, DIFC, and ADJD/ADGM, with varying applicability and costs.

While many states observed Holi holidays, there is a confusion if this Saturday is a working day. Customers needing in-person services like large fund transfers or account openings should visit branches, while routine transactions can be done via ATMs, online, or mobile banking.

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.