The Economic Times

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission will hold stakeholder meetings in Chennai on September 7 and 8. Discussions in Puducherry are scheduled for September 9, with appointments closing August 18. Central government employee associations in Delhi met on August 7 and 10. The commission is gathering suggestions on pay, pension, and work conditions. Its final report is due in November 2025 after extensive consultations.

Sebi proposes a new Mutual Fund-only Portfolio Management Services category. This new category will invest exclusively in direct plans of mutual funds. The regulator is lowering entry thresholds and permitting global diversification for investors. This move aims to increase transparency and promote a fee-based wealth management model. Affluent retail investors may gain access to products previously for high networth individuals.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 112th part of this series, Riju Mehta lists some of the popular government schemes for the lower income groups.

The RBI is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its 5 August policy meeting, making it one of the few central banks in the region that has not changed policy in response to the Middle East conflict. Governor Sanjay Malhotra has indicated that the policy rate is likely to remain at 5.25%, unless price pressures become broader.

Welcome to TrendMap, your quick guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. The annual returns are ranked across multiple asset classes, including equity, debt, and precious metals. This map shows that no single asset class reigns supreme. Hence, diversification helps. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Being rich does not automatically make you a better investor. It just means that you get sold to differently. And it makes you more vulnerable and a better target! The system is often designed to sell what brings the most commission, not what suits the client. And often, higher commissions are used to sell the comparatively worst and unsuitable products.

According to a recent study by ManipalCigna Health Insurance, while only 1% describe their overall health as poor, as many as 82% claim they are stressed. 82% Indians have high stress, with 13% describing it as unmanageable and 69% describing stress as manageable. Moreover, 1 in 3 doesnt want to buy a health plan.

Not many investors know whether they have invested in the right funds and if their fund portfolio is on track. The Portfolio Doctor assesses the health of the fund portfolio, examines the schemes and their suitability with regard to the goals and, if required, recommends corrective measures. The advice given is based on the performance of the funds, the risk profile of the investor as well as his financial goals.

Financial mistakes are often measured by lost rupees, not lost time. Compounding benefits are significantly impacted by delays and interruptions in investments. Pausing systematic investment plans can push financial goals further into the future. Withdrawals from investments also reduce capital available for compounding over time. Increasing SIP contributions can help investors recover lost time and build wealth.

India's securities regulator is proposing major changes to portfolio management services. A new category will lower the minimum investment to Rs. 25 lakh. This move aims to make professional management accessible to more investors. The proposals also allow for wider investment in foreign and unlisted securities. These changes could reshape the investment landscape for many individuals.

A recent Supreme Court ruling bolsters landlord positions in eviction disputes across India. This decision clarifies ownership proof requirements in eviction suits, aiding property owners. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021, aims to balance tenant and landlord rights effectively. Clear rent agreements are crucial for minimising disputes and ensuring transparency. Both tenants and landlords must understand their rights and responsibilities under current laws.

Taxpayers must file income tax returns by the July 31 deadline to avoid penalties. Accuracy is paramount, and mismatches in the Annual Information Statement require careful reconciliation. Foreign asset disclosures and F&O reporting errors can lead to significant tax complications. Understanding deemed residency rules is crucial for Non-Resident Indians filing their returns. Late filing incurs fees and restricts tax regime options and loss carry-forwards.

Banks increasingly reward engagement rather than ownership. Issuers want your premium card to become your preferred spending instrument, as it determines whether they earn interchange income, interest or merchant partnerships. Thats one reason why targeted offers, bonus reward campaigns and accelerated earning opportunities exist throughout the year.

Digital nomad visas now offer professionals a new route for global mobility. These permits allow individuals to live abroad while working remotely for foreign employers. Remote work acceptance after the pandemic fuels the rise of these attractive new visas. Spain and Portugal are top destinations for Indians seeking this lifestyle. Careful tax planning and understanding local rules are crucial for applicants.

Gold and silver prices have significantly declined after reaching peaks earlier this year. This correction follows a period of strong gains driven by geopolitical risks and momentum. Experts suggest the current pullback is a normalisation after excesses and not a long-term trend reversal. Long-term fundamentals for gold and silver remain intact, supported by central bank buying and consumer demand.

Systematic investment plans build wealth, but returns differ across mutual fund types. Sectoral funds, particularly pharma and healthcare, showed superior recent performance. Diversified funds like flexi caps offered moderate and stable long-term returns. An analysis covered 546 equity mutual funds and their market cycle performance. This data highlights varied outcomes based on fund category selection.

Five new mutual fund NFOs, primarily passive in nature, will open for subscription this week. The lineup includes four ETFs and one fund of funds across midcap, banking and dividend themes. Invesco, SBI, DSP and Edelweiss are launching these schemes, with minimum investment starting at Rs 5,000.

Equity mutual funds delivered up to 7% returns in the week of July 20 to July 24, led by international funds. Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund topped the chart, followed by global and commodity-focused funds. Most schemes posted moderate gains, while a few saw marginal declines, according to ACE MF data.

Small cap mutual funds have delivered strong three-year returns, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund at over 27%. Other funds such as ITI, Invesco India and Bank of India Small Cap also posted healthy gains. Investors with a three-year horizon may consider these funds based on performance, AUM and expense ratios.

Old father evicts youngest son from his ancestral village home as son tortured and humiliated him, wins case on this ground in Orissa High Court. The Orissa High Court said that the primary object of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, is to give social justice to parents and senior citizens.

An Employees Provident Fund subscriber could accumulate over Rs 1.12 crore in 30 years. This significant corpus is projected with a Rs 25,000 monthly salary and an 8.25% interest rate. The total contributions amount to Rs 33.26 lakh, while interest earned reaches Rs 78.49 lakh. Compounding interest plays a crucial role in this substantial wealth accumulation over time.

Old Bridge, ITI, Navi, Samco, and Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Funds held the highest mid and smallcap exposure in June 2026, reflecting aggressive positioning toward higher-risk, growth-oriented segments.

Builder ordered by TGRERA to relay terrace flooring and execute comprehensive waterproof treatment to ensure a permanent solution to resolve the water seepage issues in new apartment. In this case the homebuyer found water leakages and seepage issues weeks after buying flat. Read the article to know the details of the case and how the homebuyer won.

HSBC Midcap, Invesco India Mid Cap, ICICI Prudential Midcap, WhiteOak Capital Mid Cap, and Edelweiss Mid Cap led midcap mutual fund returns over three years, delivering gains of up to 25.2%.

Supreme Court sets aside employee dismissal over bias allegations which he later on withdrew; Court says withdrawal of allegations doesn't erase apprehension, orders fresh probe. Know what happened with this employee and what the Supreme Court said about his dismissal.

SEBI and AMFI have streamlined mutual fund transmission rules, simplifying claim procedures for nominees, joint holders, and legal heirs through standardized documentation, reducing delays and easing access to investments after an investor's death.

Gold rate today: Gold prices showed a marginal increase at select Indian jewellery brands today. Tanishq maintained Friday's 22-carat gold rate per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas saw a slight rise in their 22-carat gold prices. Kalyan Jewellers had not yet updated its 22-carat gold rates. IBJA rates for various gold purities and silver were also provided.

Man files FIR against people allegedly asking for partnership in 5.5 acre ancestral land or Rs 1.5 crore; SC cancels FIR and rules criminal process cannot be used as a weapon of harassment and coercion in property title dispute civil cases. Know how he won the case in Supreme Court

Edelweiss Mutual Fund introduces India's first REITs-oriented index fund. This new fund offers investors easier access to the listed real estate sector. It will track the Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index effectively. The fund opens for subscription on August fifth, providing diversified exposure. Investors can benefit from potential tax efficiencies and long-term growth trends.

Highest FD rates: Senior citizens can secure higher returns on fixed deposits with select banks. Bandhan Bank, IndusInd Bank, and YES Bank offer 7.75% on three-year FDs. DCB Bank leads with an 8.00% interest rate for five-year fixed deposits. Public sector banks like Bank of India provide 7.45% on three-year FDs. State Bank of India offers 7.05% for five-year fixed deposits to senior citizens.

EPFO underpaid school employee's EPS; he files case and wins in consumer commission as commission ruled that the correct factor for his period of service was 0.94, but EPFO wrongly applied the 0.85 factor meant for 10 months of service. Know how this employee won the case against Employees' Provident Fund Organisation.

Many investors do not know the exact monthly SIP needed for their financial goals. Excel's PMT function helps calculate the required investment amount for future targets. Investors must first determine their target corpus and the desired time frame for accumulation. Accounting for inflation is crucial to adjust the financial goal's future value. This calculation ensures investors can effectively reach their desired corpus through systematic investments.

NRIs receiving gifts from resident Indians face varying tax implications. Gifts from specified relatives are fully exempt from Indian income tax. Non-relative gifts exceeding fifty thousand rupees become taxable income. FEMA rules also govern the transfer of money and assets. Proper documentation is essential for both taxable and exempt gifts.

Banks across India will remain closed on Saturday? Reserve Bank of India guidelines mandate banks close on second and fourth Saturdays. Digital banking services will remain accessible for customers throughout the day. However, certain transactions will require a visit to a bank branch.

Indian-origin millionaire shares practical wealth-building lessons, investing tips and the single most important factor behind getting rich and achieving financial freedom. And the factor is not intelligence or being the smartest person in the room.

Gold and silver prices saw a mild recovery last week on the MCX. Investors are rebuilding long positions and increasing inflows into gold ETFs. Geopolitical uncertainty and stretched equity valuations support precious metal demand. Market participants will monitor Middle East developments and the Federal Reserve meeting. Investors should adopt a staggered investment approach for precious metals.

US-based NRIs should align investments with future financial needs and currency. Future expenses should guide asset allocation decisions for these investors. India investments offer diversification while US assets match dollar liabilities. Investors should hold assets in the currency of their future liabilities. This approach ensures financial goals align with investment strategies.

Eight new mutual fund NFOs are currently open for subscription, spanning ETFs, flexicap, large & midcap, midcap, sectoral, FoF and fixed maturity categories, offering investors diverse investment options.

Parliament heard that the government has no minimum pension scheme plans. The Code on Social Security, 2020, aims to extend benefits to unorganized workers. This code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, is a pooled fund for eligible workers. Unclaimed EPF amounts in inoperative accounts totaled over Rs 9330 crores.

Traditional finance markets are transforming through digital ledger technology. Tokenized stocks offer continuous trading and instant settlement globally. This innovation eliminates traditional market access barriers and high entry costs. Investors can now trade assets even when traditional markets are closed. Binance is leading this shift with its integrated TradFi Stack ecosystem.

Mutual funds were net sellers in several large-cap stocks in June, with Reliance Industries topping the list, followed by Hindalco Industries, NTPC, BSE and Tata Steel, according to Dolat Capital.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns of up to 26.7% over the last three years, with Bandhan Small Cap Fund leading the pack, according to ETWealth data as of July 15, 2026.

Husband working in wife's father's company says she got his signatures on marriage documents without consent; Gujarat HC rules marriage invalid as no Hindu marriage ceremonies including 'Saptapadi' were performed. Know what Gujarat High Court said about Hindu marriage and how the husband won this case.

8th Pay Commission latest news: Central government employee bodies are demanding the Old Pension Scheme's restoration from the 8th Pay Commission. However, the government has stated no such proposal is currently under consideration. Employee unions argue the New Pension Scheme offers insufficient retirement security for many workers. They advocate for the OPS to provide a respectable and sustainable pension for all employees. Several states have previously reverted to the OPS after implementing

As much as Rs 9,330.56 crore lies in inoperative Employees Provident Fund accounts. This unclaimed amount is as of March 31, 2026, according to government data. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is conducting outreach initiatives to inform members. Inoperative accounts are those with no contributions for three years after retirement. Workers can claim their inoperative EPF funds by transferring or withdrawing them.

SEBI has proposed a major revamp of the Portfolio Management Services (PMS) framework, including the launch of a new mutual fund-only PMS (MF-PMS) category. The proposal aims to widen investment options for portfolio managers, improve investor access to professionally managed portfolios, and create new business opportunities for PMS providers and mutual fund distributors.

The 8th Pay Commission will hold new meetings in Delhi on August 7 and 10. Employee unions and federations can present their demands and recommendations during these sessions. Stakeholders who submitted memorandums can request appointments by July 31.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has begun crediting 8.25% interest for the financial year 2025-26. Many EPF subscribers are receiving SMS notifications confirming this interest credit. Members can check their EPF balance through the EPFO portal, a missed call, or SMS service.