The Economic Times

Financial plans often falter not due to lack of planning, but because they don't account for life's uncertainties. The Waiver of Premium feature in investment-linked insurance products ensures that contributions continue even if the policyholder passes away, safeguarding long-term financial goals like a child's education.

Manoj Soman had not filed an ITR for the relevant assessment year, which is FY 10-11 in this case. Based on information available through the AIR mechanism and other departmental databases, the Income-tax Department noticed substantial cash deposits in the taxpayer's bank account. ITAT Mumbai, however, ruled in the assesses favour, saying TDS cannot be denied even if ITR is not filed.

June 2026 bank holidays: Indian banks will be closed on several dates in June 2026. These holidays are for regional and national celebrations. Customers should check the specific dates for their state. Important observances include YMA Day, Raja Sankranti, Moharrum, Muharram, Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti, and Remna Ni.

A 60-year-old retiree sought guidance on whether she should continue investing in equity mutual funds after retirement. Experts say senior citizens can retain some equity exposure to beat inflation, provided regular expenses are covered through stable income sources. Aligning the portfolio, reducing overlap, and balancing SIPs with lumpsum investments remain key.

Groww Mutual Fund has launched the Groww Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF, offering passive exposure to small-cap companies selected on momentum and quality factors. The ETF aims to provide diversified participation in Indias small-cap segment through a rules-based investment strategy focused on stronger price trends and relatively sound fundamentals.

Gold rate today: Gold prices are up today, May 29, 2026. Investors watch Middle East developments closely. The US-Iran truce extension remains uncertain. Jewellery brands like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds show price increases. IBJA also reports higher rates for gold and silver. Consumers can check the latest retail prices.

Indian life insurers are asking the government to double the tax-free limit for insurance policies. This move aims to increase money flowing into these funds. Inflows have slowed down since new tax limits were introduced in February 2023. Higher inflows would support government borrowing needs for long-term projects. The Life Insurance Council has formally requested this change.

Bengaluru citizens can attend an e-Khata open house on May 30, 2026. This event, part of the Bhoo Guarantee- 6th guarantee scheme, offers on-the-spot assistance for property tax and e-Khata related services. Held in various areas, it aims to resolve citizen issues and streamline property administration. The initiative promotes transparency and legality in property transactions across the city.

EPS-95 pensioners unable to submit their annual life certificate can now avail doorstep assistance from the postal department. A simple call to 033-22029000 will arrange for a postal worker to visit and submit the certificate free of charge, ensuring uninterrupted pension payments.

Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list with 251 stocks in March 2026, followed by Nippon India Small Cap Fund and HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund, highlighting strong portfolio diversification trends.

Kotak Mutual Fund has launched the Kotak Nifty Alpha Low-Volatility 30 Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking the Nifty Alpha Low-Volatility 30 Index. The fund, open for subscription until June 12, aims to provide investors with exposure to equities through a structured, factor-based approach combining Alpha and Low-Volatility characteristics for long-term capital growth.

Equity mutual funds saw strong performance in May, with returns reaching up to 17%. International funds led the gains, driven by markets like the US, Korea, and Taiwan. While global diversification is beneficial, experts advise caution due to high valuations. Investors should consider a systematic investment plan for global exposure, focusing on long-term data for market assessment.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a wife's career choice is not cruelty. A woman's decision to open her own dental clinic was opposed by her husband and in-laws. The court stated this reflects a regressive mindset. Charges of cruelty and desertion against the wife were dismissed. The divorce decree remains valid on grounds of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.

Dubai is introducing a new law for shared housing. Landlords must get permits from the Dubai Land Department. Non-compliance can lead to tenant eviction and permit cancellation. The law sets rules for occupancy and space per resident. Designated areas will be identified for shared housing. This aims to regulate the sector and ensure safe living conditions for all residents.

Retail rental yields in Delhi NCR and Mumbai's Grade A and A+ malls have seen significant appreciation, with Mumbai recording 15-20% year-on-year growth. This surge is driven by strong footfalls, tenant productivity, and the expansion of international retailers, making malls an attractive investment. Investors can consider REITs for exposure to this growing sector.

Indian travellers are increasingly using UPI abroad for convenient payments, but understanding its limitations and risks is crucial. While cheaper than cards in select countries like UAE and Singapore, UPI acceptance is uneven, and backup payment options are essential. Users must be aware of transaction limits, potential failures, and fraud risks.

Understanding personal loan EMIs is crucial for managing major expenses. An EMI calculator helps estimate monthly repayments based on loan amount, interest rate, and tenure, enabling informed borrowing decisions. Bajaj Finance offers flexible personal loans with amounts up to 55 lakh and tenures up to 108 months, ensuring convenient repayment options.

This simple Google tool can decrease the chances of strangers coming across your private information lying on the internet. However, you must know that the Results about you feature does not erase the data from the original website, for which you would need to contact the site owner.

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw a decline on May 28, 2026, influenced by ongoing US-Iran talks. Major jewelers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Kalyan Jewellers reported varying rates for 22k gold, with some showing a slight increase from the previous day.

Mutual funds significantly increased their investments in smallcap IPOs during the March quarter, with a focus on newly listed companies. Amagi Media Labs and Fractal Analytics emerged as top holdings, followed by Sedemac Mechatronics and Shadowfax Technologies.

Indian residents investing in US stocks face forex gains tax. These gains are taxable as capital gains when US dollars are converted back to Indian rupees. The tax treatment depends on whether the gain is considered income. Foreign currency held for investment is a capital asset. Tax arises only upon actual conversion. Reporting foreign assets in ITR is mandatory.

Not only did Shelby advised people to bet for the long run, but his firm also lived by the idea, thereby giving rise to the term - Davis Dozen. The legendary investor for a core portfolio of about a dozen big long-term winning stocks which he continued to hold for decades.

Individuals with assets in both India and England are advised to create separate Wills to ensure proper distribution and avoid legal challenges. English law has strict requirements for Will validity, including written format, testator's signature, and proper witnessing. Seeking professional advice is crucial to prevent errors and potential invalidation of Wills.

Homebuyers in Amritsar received partial victory from Punjab RERA regarding delayed possession. The authority ordered the builder to pay interest for the delay. However, the homebuyers' claim for an extra Rs 75 lakh charge was dismissed. RERA emphasized that buyers must carefully read agreements, as the principle of 'Caveat Emptor' applies. The builder-buyer agreement's terms were deemed binding.

Homebuyers in Amritsar received partial victory from Punjab RERA regarding delayed possession. The authority ordered the builder to pay interest for the delay. However, the homebuyers' claim for an extra Rs 75 lakh charge was dismissed. RERA emphasized that buyers must carefully read agreements, as the principle of 'Caveat Emptor' applies. The builder-buyer agreement's terms were deemed binding.

As of the March 2026 quarter, four leading debt mutual fund managers oversee at least Rs 1 lakh crore in assets under management. Kaustubh Gupta of Aditya Birla Sun Life leads with Rs 1.61 lakh crore, followed by Manish Banthia of ICICI Prudential at Rs 1.45 lakh crore.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund marks 13 years with impressive growth. A Rs 10,000 SIP since inception turned into Rs 51 lakh. The fund prioritizes value, quality management, and global diversification. Its consistent strategy has made it India's largest active fund. Investors benefit from its disciplined approach across market cycles.

A woman has won her share in a joint property after a 15-year legal battle. Her husband had willed his half to another man. The Supreme Court affirmed her 50% entitlement. As physical partition was impossible, the court ordered the property's auction. Proceeds will be distributed according to ownership shares.

Bank holiday today: Banks in several Indian states are closed today, May 28, 2026, in observance of Bakri ID (Id-Uz-Zuha). While branch services are unavailable in affected regions, digital banking remains accessible. The holiday is observed as per the RBI's state-wise calendar, with exceptions in Odisha, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Joint and mutual Wills, while legally recognized in India, present significant complexities and potential for disputes. Experts highlight that these structures, unlike separate Wills, can lead to inflexibility and inheritance complications, especially with changing family dynamics and asset ownership. Choosing the right estate planning structure is crucial to avoid future litigation.

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.