The Economic Times

Gold prices experienced a dip on April 29, 2026, as per rates updated by major jewellery brands like Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Retail gold rates on IBJA also showed a minor decline, reflecting global market influences on precious metal prices.

Members no longer need to fill any lengthy physical forms, or pay an office visit anymore. All they need to update EPF KYC online is their Aadhaar details and internet. Heres a look at a simple step-by-step guide for updating EPF KYC online and avoiding claim rejection.

FCNR interest remains exempt from tax as long as the depositor qualifies as an NRI or resident but RNOR under Section 10(15)(iv)(fa) of the Act. Once the individual becomes a resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR), the FCNR interest becomes taxable in India from that date, even if the deposit was opened earlier, Sehgal explains.

A one-time amnesty scheme, the FAST-DS, has been introduced to help Indian residents and NRIs resolve past non-compliance with reporting foreign assets, including ESOPs. This scheme aims to reduce penalties and litigation under the Black Money Act, offering relief for inadvertent reporting errors and missed disclosures.

Banking sector mutual funds held up to 9% of their assets in cash as of March 31, 2026, signalling a cautious stance amid market conditions. Groww Banking & Financial Services Fund topped the list, followed by Taurus, LIC MF, Baroda BNP Paribas, and Mahindra Manulife funds with notable cash allocations.

A recent analysis revealed that thirteen equity mutual funds have delivered over 20% CAGR in both the last three and five years. Among these top performers, seven were midcap funds, four were smallcap funds, one was a multicap fund, and one was a large and midcap fund. These funds represent strong historical performance in the Indian mutual fund market.

Central government employees' representatives met with the 8th Pay Commission, requesting a deadline extension for memorandum submissions to May 31, 2026. Key discussions included the revival of the Old Pension Scheme and proposals for separate meeting times for various employee bodies. The NC-JCM also urged the commission to visit industries like Railways and Defence to assess working conditions.

A Lok Adalat will be held at Surajpur Court in Noida on May 9, 2026. This event offers a chance to quickly settle pending UP police traffic challans and various other cases. Citizens can resolve matters like motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, and civil cases through mutual consent.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has announced changes in fund managers for two schemes effective May 1, with S Naren exiting both. The Passive Multi Asset FoF and Global Advantage FoF will see revised management structures. The update comes amid ongoing reshuffles within the fund houses portfolio management teams.

A 33-year-old investor's ambitious 14% CAGR target with mutual funds was deemed unrealistic by a financial planner. The expert advised aligning expectations with historical equity returns of 11-13% and suggested consolidating the portfolio for better impact and avoiding over-diversification.

Two significant changes to income tax refund rules are effective from April 1, 2026, impacting Tax Year 2026-27. The Finance Act 2026 clarifies interest computation for past tax years and allows tax refunds to be set off against demands under either the old or new Income Tax Acts, simplifying processes for taxpayers.

According to Sebi norms, medium to long term funds have a mandate to invest in debt and money market instruments in such a way that the Macaulay's duration of the portfolio is four to seven years. Since these schemes invest in long-term debt instruments, they are considered risky.

May Bank holidays: May 2026 will see numerous state-specific bank holidays across India, impacting operations on various dates. Key closures include Maharashtra Din, Buddha Pournima, May Day, and several birth anniversaries, culminating in Eid-UI-Adha.

Following a salary hike, investors face the question of increasing monthly SIP contributions. Financial planners advise annual increases to combat inflation and align savings with rising income and goals. Automating these increases via step-up SIPs or top-ups is an option, though manual reviews are also recommended to adapt to real-world financial changes.

Gold prices saw a dip on April 27, 2026. Leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported lower rates. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also confirmed the decline. Consumers can check updated rates for 18k, 22k, and 24k gold across major cities. This offers a potential buying opportunity for gold enthusiasts.

Bandhan Small Cap Fund has delivered the highest CAGR since its inception on February 25, 2020. The fund generated a CAGR of 28.79% and managed AUM of Rs 20,129 crore as of March 2026.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am the only earning member of my family. My company has given me a bonus of Rs 2 lakh this year (after deducting TDS), which has been credited to my salary account. If I gift this amount to my wife and she puts it in a fixed deposit, will the interest earned be taxed in my hands or hers?

HSBC Mutual Fund introduces RedHex SIF, a new specialized investment fund in India. This offering provides investors with focused strategies and portfolio flexibility. It operates within the familiar mutual fund structure, emphasizing transparency and governance. RedHex SIF targets experienced, institutional, and HNI investors with a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh.

Over the past decade, silver has outshone gold, equities, bonds, and real estate to become the best-performing asset class, driven by strong long-term returns and favourable supply-demand dynamics.

Rising healthcare costs necessitate enhanced coverage beyond base policies. Super top-up plans offer this crucial protection, acting as an add-on to existing insurance. A detailed comparison of plans from Care, HDFC Ergo, Aditya Birla, ICICI Lombard, and Niva Bupa helps policyholders choose the best fit for their needs and budget.

Investors often over-diversify with too many mutual funds, leading to duplication and management issues. A viewer's portfolio of 15 funds was analyzed, revealing significant overlap. Experts recommend reducing to 5-6 high-quality schemes aligned with goals and risk, while also addressing the corpus shortfall.

New Income Tax Rules, 2026, effective April 1, 2026, mandate PAN for several high-value transactions. Form 97 replaces Form 60, but its use is significantly reduced. Transactions like purchasing motor vehicles over Rs 5 lakh, opening demat accounts, and investing in mutual funds above Rs 50,000 now require a PAN.

Non-resident Indians can now get credit cards in India. These cards offer benefits for spending both in India and abroad. Several banks like ICICI, IDFC FIRST, Kotak, and Axis Bank provide options. Features include reward points, lounge access, and waivers on fuel and foreign transactions. Applicants need to provide specific documents for approval.

Rule 144 is simply 2 Rule 72. Just as Rule 72 estimates doubling time, Rule 144 estimates quadrupling time.

The Reserve Bank of India has set the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2020-21 Series-I. Investors can redeem these bonds from April 28, 2026. The redemption price is fixed at Rs 15,124 per unit. This offers investors a substantial return of nearly 230% on their initial investment, excluding interest.

International funds have delivered up to 50% returns in one year, supported by a global tech rally, rupee depreciation, and strong earnings. But with fresh subscriptions halted due to RBIs overseas investment limits, experts say investors should stay invested, rebalance if allocation has risen sharply, and avoid chasing short-term returns.

While income proof is often perceived as mandatory for credit cards in India, it's not always the case. Banks consider various factors beyond salary, including credit score and repayment history. Secured credit cards against fixed deposits offer an accessible route for those without traditional income proof, enabling them to build a credit profile.

Bosses often pressure employees to work on off-days for targets, but Indian labour laws protect your right to rest. Employees generally cannot be forced to work on Sundays or public holidays without consent or compensation. Documenting such requests is crucial for enforcing your rights and seeking compensation.

Alternative assets like REITs and InvITs have surpassed traditional investments. These instruments offer attractive returns and tax efficiency. Investors are increasingly drawn to these assets for predictable cash flows. The market cap of these listed entities provides ample diversification opportunities. Investors can anticipate strong internal rates of return over a four-year holding period.

Health insurance coverage has grown significantly in India. However, patients continue to pay most hospitalisation bills themselves. Rural patients spent about 95% of costs from their own pockets. Urban patients also paid a large portion. Hospitalisation costs have nearly doubled. The number of hospitalisations per 1,000 people remains steady.

Gold prices edged up on April 27, 2026, across major Indian jewellers. Geopolitical factors like US-Iran tensions and a strong US dollar influenced the yellow metal's rates. Treasury yields also played a role in the price movement. Analysts suggest gold may remain rangebound without a significant geopolitical development. Jewellery brands like Tanishq and Kalyan Jewellers reported slight price adjustments.

Global gold demand as ETF inflows and bar and coin buying surged, shifting consumption away from jewellery. Rising prices curbed discretionary purchases, while investment demand strengthened globally and in India amid geopolitical uncertainty, diversification needs, and sustained central bank accumulation.

A joint report by EY and FICCI suggests lowering the GST on luxury hotel rooms to 9%. This move aims to make India a more competitive tourist destination. The report highlights that current taxes and costs make India appear expensive compared to countries like Thailand. Reducing the tax could attract more international visitors and boost the tourism sector.

Despite a challenging FY26, marked by volatility and weak benchmark returns, eleven mutual funds across categories consistently outperformed, delivering superior risk-adjusted returns and showcasing resilience through changing market conditions and trends.

Railway Board writes that the zone-wise annual MoU targets for manpower rationalisation (redistribution+surrender) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year 202627 have been conveyed to the Efficiency and Research (E&R) Directorate for inclusion in annual performance agreements (MoUs).

Federation of National Postal Organisations's (FNPO) memorandum included issues related to postal assistants, sorting assistants, postmen, mail guards, civil wing, admin offices, accounts, marketing executives, systems administrators, development officers (PLI), among others. Here are the key demands of FNPO from the 8th Pay Commission.

Contract workers often seek permanent jobs after long service. Indian courts examine if contractor arrangements are genuine or a ploy to avoid obligations. Key factors include control, hiring, and payment. While continuity of workers under different contractors can raise questions, it is not always decisive. Legal outcomes vary based on the specific facts of each case.

Tata Mutual Fund has launched the Titanium Equity Long-Short Fund under its Titanium SIF platform, offering a dynamic long-short equity strategy with net exposure ranging from -25% to 100%. Aimed at high-risk investors, the NFO is open until May 11.

Hyderabad gold rate today 24k, 22k, 18k: As per the latest trends in the city, the price of 24 karat gold was between Rs 15,443-15,906 per gram levels while 22 karat gold was largely priced between Rs 14,155 to Rs 14,643 per gram.