The Economic Times

Railway pensioners and family pensioners will receive a Dearness Relief hike. Their relief will increase from 58% to 60% of their basic pension. This change takes effect from January 1, 2026. This move aims to compensate for rising prices. The increase will boost monthly pensions for millions of retirees across India.

The new labour code (Code on Wages) has given employers an option to conduct four days work week with three days fixed days off for employees. However, note that this is optional and there are certain conditions which employees and employers both need to follow before moving with four days work-week.

Investor appetite shifted towards riskier mutual fund categories in April, with mid- and small-cap funds attracting record inflows and delivering stronger returns, while large-cap funds saw declining inflows amid changing retail investment preferences despite ongoing market volatility and valuation concerns.

Monthly mutual fund SIP inflows declined to Rs 31,115 crore in April compared to a fresh record high of Rs 32,087 crore in March. On a yearly basis, the monthly SIP inflow went up by 18% from Rs 26,400 crore in April 2025.

The total inflows in equity mutual funds declined 5% to Rs 38,440 crore in April.

Abakkus Mutual Fund, led by Sunil Singhania, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing Rs 5,000 crore in assets under management with over 1 lakh unique investors. Launched in December 2025, the fund house attributes its rapid growth to investor confidence, a disciplined research-driven approach, and a focus on building trust and transparency.

A 29-year married Redditt user has shared his story of how, just four years into his job, he not only paid off his education loan but also created a corpus of Rs 50 lakh, starting his investment journey from scratch with no family inheritance.

Quant Small Cap Fund adjusted its holdings in April 2026. The fund exited HDFC Bank, Jio Financial Services, and Aarti Industries among others. New additions included Triveni Tribune, Sai Parenterals, and PTC India. Exposure was trimmed in Adani Power and Aegis Logistics. The fund increased its stake in Black Box, Capacite Infraprojects, and RBL Bank.

For a 5-year fixed deposit, the Post Office TD scheme currently offers a higher interest rate compared to most public sector banks' 6%-6.25%. This translates to a significantly higher maturity amount on a Rs 2 lakh investment, with the Post Office TD potentially yielding nearly Rs 90,000 in returns.

Central government employees are concerned about their NPS retirement corpus due to market fluctuations. The All India NPS Employees Federation has proposed an assured pension of 50% of last-drawn salary plus DA to the 8th Pay Commission, arguing the current model provides inadequate pensions for many, especially those with shorter service or lower pay levels.

Several midcap funds maintained significant cash reserves in March, with Axis Midcap Fund leading at approximately 9.3%. Other funds like the Taurus Mid Cap Fund and the HDFC Mid Cap Fund also held substantial cash, reporting 8.8% and 7.7% respectively. Baroda BNP Paribas and Bank of India Mid Cap Funds rounded out the list with allocations of 7.5% and 6.5%.

At a time when Indian investors are increasingly exploring overseas markets amid strong performance in global equities, fund managers at the Groww India Investor Festival 2026 cautioned against treating international investing as a short-term return-chasing strategy.

The recent notification of the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020 marks a significant shift in Indias wage and social security compliance framework. As the expanded definition of wages increases social security liabilities, many employers may consider restructuring salary structures to manage rising costs. However, section 124 of the Code places an important restriction on such measures by prohibiting employers from reducing employee wages or benefits t

JioBlackRock Mutual Funds Flexi Cap Fund completely exited 17 stocks in April, including AMC companies and Hindustan Aeronautics, while adding 27 new stocks to its portfolio. The fund also increased exposure to several large-cap names and expanded its portfolio size from 107 to 117 stocks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to temporarily reduce gold purchases for one year to ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves and imports. Following his appeal, gold prices saw a slight dip. Today, 22k gold is priced around Rs 13,945 per gram at major retailers, with Tanishq showing a slightly higher rate.

Tata Large Cap Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 5 crore in 28 years. The fund also delivered substantial returns on lump sum investments. Experts highlight its disciplined approach and focus on quality companies.

Meeting annual targets doesn't guarantee job security in the private sector. Labour laws, particularly the Industrial Disputes Act, offer protections for 'workmen' against unfair retrenchment, including the Last In, First Out principle. Managers, however, have weaker protections, with wrongful termination claims often being contractual and focusing on discrimination or policy violations.

Securing a home loan requires careful financial planning. Understanding eligibility criteria, using an EMI calculator, and checking your credit score are crucial steps. Evaluating loan charges and strengthening your profile can lead to a more favorable borrowing experience and a sustainable homeownership journey.

The Supreme Court quashed FIRs against a husband's in-laws and sister in a dowry harassment case. While the wife alleged they were aware of his second marriage, the court found no evidence of their active participation. The case against the husband, however, proceeds due to specific allegations of torture and dowry demands.

To maximise gains from an anticipated infrastructure development, the most crucial point to keep in mind while investing early is that pricing often runs ahead of liveability. Unlike the ecosystem of social infrastructure like schools and hospitals, retail catches up and end-user demand remains cautious.

Fuel prices are volatile, electricity tariffs are rising, and your LPG cylinder is at the mercy of global events. Heres how switching to an EV, rooftop solar, or an induction cooktop can protect your household budget. And what it will actually cost you.

Global oil markets have shifted dramatically. Geopolitical tensions have caused a surge in Brent crude prices. Supply disruptions are a major concern. High oil prices are impacting demand. Upstream companies benefit, while downstream oil marketing companies face margin pressure. Natural gas recovery is expected to be slower.

One of the industrys most recognisable voices on investing, Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, has helped shape both her fund house and the broader industry conversations around investing. In this conversation with Sanket Dhanorkar, she talks about why she prefers simple investment solutions.

A Bombay High Court ruling favored policyholders, stating insurers cannot reject claims solely for delayed document submission beyond the 90-day deadline. The court invoked Section 28 of the Contract Act, deeming such clauses void. This judgment emphasizes that genuine claims should be assessed on merits, not technical procedural delays, aligning with IRDAI's fair claims philosophy.

When a friend or a relative asks you for a personal loan, always seek time. There is no need to feel pressurised to respond immediately. Sometimes, just saying that you will think about it is enough for the other to back off. They may feel hesitant to follow up, or seek others.

Since both serve specific purposes and needs, pick the one that suits your travel itinerary and circumstances

Indian investors are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets for diversification and better returns. Seeking exposure to global innovation and facing weaker local market performance, a growing number are investing overseas. Easier access through new platforms and a weaker rupee are making foreign assets more attractive, with significant growth seen in global feeder funds and overseas equity investments.

Salary is Job 1. Reputation is Job 2. Most manage only one, says Devashish Chakravarty

From glossy returns to tax drag, what an equity PMS earns investors often trails what is advertised.

Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. No single segment always leads. In this edition, we present a 10-year equity performance tracker, ranking annual returns across market-cap segments. Investors risk appetite has turned more selective in 2026 so far. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 102nd part of this series, Riju Mehta details the features of such schemes.

Financial experts emphasize smart planning for mothers' future security, urging early and consistent investing. Flexi-cap and large-cap funds are recommended for growth, while debt and hybrid funds suit retirement. Working mothers can afford higher equity exposure, whereas homemakers benefit from a more conservative approach.

Veteran fund managers Rajeev Thakkar and Sankaran Naren believe select Indian IT stocks are becoming attractive despite AI disruption concerns. While Naren called the sector a contrarian valuation play with possible risks, Thakkar argued Indian IT firms have historically adapted to technological shifts, and AI-driven productivity could ultimately expand demand.

Equity mutual funds saw a strong performance last week, with over 8% returns for the category. Among the top performers, international funds like Mirae Asset Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF FoF led the pack with an 8.49% gain.

Two new passive mutual funds are launching this week to expand fund houses' offerings. DSP Nifty FMCG ETF opens May 12-14 with a Rs 5,000 minimum, while HDFC Gold Silver Passive FoF opens May 15-29 with a Rs 100 minimum. Investors should choose based on their risk appetite and goals.

Top mutual fund managers at the Groww India Investor Festival 2026 advised investors to avoid unrealistic return expectations, emotional investing and social media-driven decisions. They stressed disciplined SIP investing, asset allocation, patience and behavioural awareness as key drivers of long-term wealth creation while remaining optimistic about Indias long-term growth prospects.

Seven new mutual fund schemes and three Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are currently open for subscription, offering investors fresh opportunities across equity, debt, hybrid, and thematic categories.

New investors often find mutual funds daunting. Experts advise focusing on personal goals, risk tolerance, and investment timelines over market noise. For beginners, starting with stable categories like large-cap or index funds is recommended. Hybrid and dynamic funds can also ease the journey. Emotional reactions to market dips should be avoided; consistency is key.

For senior citizens looking to maximize their savings, attractive fixed deposit rates are still within reach. Suryoday Small Finance Bank proudly tops the list with an impressive 8.05% for a five-year commitment. Other small finance institutions are also stepping up with competitive offers. Remember, while it's tempting to chase high returns, prioritizing safety is key.

Star-rated flexi cap funds have generated 15%+ returns in 3 years, with schemes from Parag Parikh, HDFC, and Quant emerging as top performers amid strong equity market momentum.

The Income Tax Department has revised ITR forms for FY 2025-26, introducing new disclosure requirements for capital gains, trading, and foreign assets. These updates aim to simplify filing for various taxpayer categories, including individuals, businesses, and presumptive income earners.

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned Indian consumers about a sophisticated phishing campaign by the SilverFox hacker group. These malicious emails, disguised as official Income Tax Department notices, aim to trick users into downloading malware. The attackers use a multi-stage approach, deploying backdoors like ValleyRAT and ABCDoor to gain remote access and steal sensitive data.

GST registration can now be suspended for even minor delays in filing returns, a shift from the previous six-month rule. Experts highlight this change, enacted in 2022, is causing business disruptions. While authorities have more flexibility, concerns are raised about arbitrary actions and the need for clearer guidelines and appeal mechanisms.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund boosted its holdings in ITC, TCS, and HDFC Bank during April. The fund also increased its stake in fourteen other companies, including Indraprastha Gas and HCL Technologies. Exposure was reduced in Coal India and Power Grid Corporation of India. The fund made a complete exit from Balkrishna Industries.

Aishwarya Bachchan won a tax case in ITAT Mumbai. She claimed Rs 1.49 crore interest deduction on a loan taken for Venture Capital Fund investments. The tax department denied this. ITAT ruled in her favour, allowing the deduction. The tribunal cited consistency in accepting similar claims and sufficient proof of fund utilisation for income generation.

Bank holiday today: Bank customers should check whether banks are open or closed before making a physical visit to a branch. Apart from regular weekend closures and national holidays, banks in different states will also remain closed in May 2026 on various regional and local occasions.