The Economic Times

Passport application fees are set to rise significantly from July 1, 2026. Both regular and Tatkaal applications for new passports, reissues, and replacements for lost or damaged documents will see substantial increases. Minor applicants and those seeking Police Clearance Certificates will also face higher charges. A separate fee structure is being introduced for services availed abroad.

Gold and silver prices have seen significant drops in June, presenting a buying opportunity for new investors. Existing investors are advised against panic selling, with experts suggesting averaging down costs. The decline is attributed to the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance and a strengthening dollar. Long-term investors can consider gradual accumulation, with ETFs and mutual funds recommended as preferred investment vehicles.

While chasing higher returns often feels thrilling and makes you feel like you are winning, following disciple with a proper plan in mind is more likely to yield better returns for you over the long run. Financial planning helps you keep track of how much and where your hard-earned money is going.

ITAT Mumbai found that full TDS credit has not been granted since assessees employer has deducted TDS but has not remitted the same to the revenue. Because of this, full TDS credit didnt reflect in her Form 26AS and so the Rs 3.91 lakh TDS credit claim was denied. Read on to know how the taxpayer won the case.

The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) has extended its relaxed scrutiny guidelines for filing appeals until December 31, 2026. This move aims to prevent procedural technicalities from hindering substantive justice, allowing the registry to focus on significant defects rather than minor form-related issues. Taxpayers benefit from this taxpayer-friendly measure, ensuring smoother navigation of the digital appellate system while still needing to adhere to appeal filing deadlines.

Gold prices saw a slight uptick on Friday, June 26, 2026. Major retailers like Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas also adjusted their 22K gold rates upwards. The IBJA did not release new rates due to a market holiday.

EPFO services, including its member and employer portals and the UMANG app, will be temporarily unavailable from June 26th to June 30th due to a scheduled system migration. This upgrade aims to enhance service speed, reliability, and security.

Homeowners can now potentially claim tax deductions on interest paid for both their original home loan and a subsequent loan taken to repay it, under the old tax regime. This benefit, supported by a 1969 CBDT circular and expected to continue under the Income-tax Act, 2025, allows for dual deductions up to Rs 2 lakh for self-occupied properties.

Over the last 10 years, microcaps delivered the highest returns, outperforming midcaps, small caps, and large caps. Here is a detailed breakup, as reported by ET Wealth.

The Supreme Court has shielded an innocent land buyer from criminal charges in a forged Will case. The buyer, unaware of the forgery, purchased 1.31 acres based on a fake Will. The court ruled that a bona fide purchaser, lacking knowledge of the fraud and not linked to the conspiracy, cannot be held criminally liable. Proceedings will continue against other accused.

Five conservative hybrid mutual funds delivered steady SWP returns over a three-year period, according to ET Wealth data as of June 17, 2026. SBI Magnum Childrens Benefit Fund led with 11.8%, followed by Parag Parikh Conservative Hybrid Fund at 10.9%. Other funds delivered returns between 9.3% and 10.1%.

A financial expert reviews a Rs 43,500 monthly SIP portfolio built for a 20-year horizon and suggests minimal changes. The key recommendation is replacing one active midcap fund with a passive index fund while keeping existing allocations largely intact and using debt funds for short-term investment needs.

Discovering you have two Public Provident Fund accounts can be a common oversight, but it's crucial to address. Indian regulations strictly permit only one personal PPF account. Learn how to identify and regularize duplicate accounts, understand the implications for your deposits and interest, and what steps to take to avoid complications and preserve your hard-earned savings.

Homebuyers have won a significant victory as MahaREAT ruled a builder cannot use inter-authority disputes to justify possession delays exceeding three years. The tribunal emphasized that the MHADA-MCGM dispute predated the agreed possession date, making the builder liable for delays. Buyers are now entitled to a full refund with interest, reinforcing buyer rights under RERA.

A senior citizen wrongly paid tax on Rs 24 lakh retrenchment compensation received under a BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme. Despite a significant delay, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in Chennai granted him full tax exemption, recognizing the compensation as tax-free under Section 10(10B). This ruling offers relief and highlights the possibility of rectifying tax errors.

Bank holiday today: Banks across many states and union territories are closed today, June 26, 2026, for the observance of Muharram. This closure, coupled with the fourth Saturday and Sunday, means a three-day break for banking services in these regions. Customers needing to visit a bank will have to wait until Monday to conduct their transactions.

Affluent investors are increasingly turning to newly launched hybrid specialised investment funds (SIFs) for their tax efficiency and better returns than traditional fixed-income options. These funds, blending debt, equity, and derivatives, have attracted significant assets, with hybrid strategies dominating. Their appeal lies in equity taxation benefits and lower volatility, offering attractive post-tax returns for wealthy individuals and family offices.

India is experiencing a pivotal shift in its financial markets as domestic investors take the lead over foreign entities, enduring a three-year trend of FPI sell-offs. This resilience results from a cultural embrace of SIPs for equity savings and a more sophisticated investor base. While global factors may still affect FPIs, the rising domestic wealth is now significantly influencing the market.

Central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the 8th Pay Commission's report, with discussions around the crucial fitment factor intensifying. While some experts predict a factor around 2.0, others, like AINPS President Manjeet Singh Patel, suggest it could reach 2.10. Patel's calculations, considering DA, HRA, TA, and family unit counts, illustrate potential scenarios for increased payouts, sparking anticipation for the final government decision.

Five small-cap mutual funds delivered over 25% annualised returns in the last three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund and ITI Small Cap Fund. Passive index funds and Invesco India Smallcap also performed strongly, while several large schemes lagged with mid-teen returns. Investors are advised to focus on the risk profile.

Seeking stable returns? Fixed deposits offer a low-risk avenue for your savings. For a Rs 5 lakh investment in a one-year FD, explore top rates from public sector banks, private banks and small finance bank.

Five mutual funds and one SIF are open for subscription, covering hybrid, index, life cycle, multi-sector, FoF and multi-asset categories. Key offerings include Kotak Infinity Hybrid Long-Short SIF, Zerodha Life Cycle Funds 2036 and 2041, HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund, Tata Multi Sector Passive FoF and JM Multi Asset Allocation

A WhiteOak Capital study highlights the benefits of a multi-asset strategy, showing that combining equity, debt and gold can improve risk-adjusted returns. The analysis suggests that adding gold reduces portfolio volatility due to its negative correlation with equities, supporting better diversification across market cycles.

As per the latest RBI guidelines, if you have lodged a complaint for the fraudulent transaction within 5 calendar days, you shall be compensated the lower of 85% of the net loss amount or Rs 25,000. These rules will come into effect from January 2027, and apply in cases of electronic banking transactions undertaken by customers on or after January 1, 2027.

Top SIP mutual fund performers over five years show strong wealth creation potential, with gold, infrastructure, midcap, and smallcap funds delivering XIRR up to 53%. However, investment decisions should consider risk profile, horizon, and financial goals.

An investor's query about active versus passive funds for long-term goals received expert advice. While index funds offer low costs, active management in India presents opportunities for outperformance due to information inefficiencies. A 10% annual SIP step-up is recommended to reach a Rs 7 crore corpus. The expert suggested replacing an index fund with a focused actively managed fund for better diversification and potential returns.

EPFO's online portal will be inaccessible for claim submissions and processing from June 26th to June 28th, 2026, due to a planned technology upgrade. Services on the Umang app will also be unavailable until July 2nd. This temporary shutdown aims to enhance service delivery and user experience.

Affordable housing finance companies are poised for a growth rebound from FY27, according to Kotak Institutional Securities. After a subdued period due to lending slowdowns and competition, industry trends are already showing improvement. Disbursement growth accelerated in the latter half of FY26, with managements expressing optimism. While healthy growth is expected in early FY27, macroeconomic factors like monsoon, inflation, and interest rates will shape the latter half of the year.

Gold prices and silver prices continued their descent on Thursday, June 25, 2026, offering a welcome respite for buyers after recent surges. IBJS 22k gold and leading jewelers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas have all reported lower rates for 22K gold across major cities.

ETMutualFunds shortlisted midcap funds using rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance, and minimum Rs 50 crore assets. Axis, PGIM, Invesco, Kotak, and Tata delivered strong three-year returns, suitable for high-risk investors with seven-to-ten-year horizons.

Silver and gold ETFs plunged up to 8% on Thursday as precious metal prices extended losses for a second straight session on the MCX. The decline was driven by a stronger US dollar and rising expectations of US Federal Reserve rate hikes later this year. Silver ETFs led losses, with Tata Silver ETF falling the most, followed by broad-based declines across funds.

Edelweiss Large Cap Fund has achieved a remarkable decade of positive returns, never dipping into negative territory. This consistency is attributed to its FACTOR investment strategy, emphasizing active risk management and a quality-focused stock selection process. While it has underperformed benchmarks in shorter periods, its long-term performance and strategic sector allocations, particularly in financial services and healthcare, highlight its resilience.

Conservative investors are steered towards safer, short-term debt funds, often overlooking medium to long duration options due to their inherent interest rate sensitivity. These longer-term funds, while potentially rewarding in falling rate environments, carry significant volatility and risk when rates rise. Advisors caution that predicting interest rate movements is challenging, making timing entry and exit crucial for those with a higher risk appetite and long investment horizon.

Aspiring to build a substantial retirement fund? The Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers a compelling avenue for low-risk investors. By consistently investing the maximum annual limit of Rs 1.5 lakh, individuals starting at age 30 can amass an impressive by age 60.

New Labour Codes, effective November 2025, redefine overtime eligibility and calculation. While standard working hours remain, employees working beyond 8 hours daily or 48 hours weekly are entitled to at least double their normal wage. Managerial and supervisory roles may still qualify based on actual duties, not just designation, potentially increasing payouts for many.

Understanding Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on your salary is crucial. Employers calculate your annual tax liability based on declared income and deductions, then divide it to deduct tax monthly. This ensures smooth tax collection throughout the year. The article details TDS calculations for CTCs of Rs 15, 20, and 25 lakh under both old and new tax regimes, offering insights for salaried individuals.

Soaring medical costs, with surgery expenses up 250-300%, necessitate robust health insurance. Experts advise a minimum of Rs 10-15 lakh for individuals and Rs 15-25 lakh for families, with higher coverage for metro residents and seniors. Pairing a base policy with a super top-up plan offers cost-effective protection against escalating healthcare expenses.

The Income Tax Department has flagged 15,000-20,000 cases of individuals using a 'swapped provisions' trick to unfairly reduce their tax liability. This involves manipulating claims like House Rent Allowance (HRA) for undue benefits. Taxpayers who engaged in this practice are advised to voluntarily pay the correct tax and interest, or seek condonation from the department to avoid penalties and potential legal action.

Indias asset and wealth management industry is projected to reach US$1.7 trillion in AUM by 2030, driven by rising retail participation, growing institutional pools and expanding digital financial infrastructure, according to a PwC report.

Ionic Asset has launched the Global Asset Allocation Fund, a GIFT City-based, privately placed offering aimed at sophisticated investors, HNIs and UHNIs. The fund seeks to provide geography-agnostic multi-asset exposure through a mix of global equities, commodities and REITs, with allocations designed to capture long-term structural opportunities across markets and themes.

Binance is revolutionizing investing by consolidating crypto, stocks, and commodities into a single platform, mirroring Asia's 'super app' model. This move, particularly impactful in emerging markets, offers unprecedented access to global equities and pre-IPO opportunities. Fractional ownership and stablecoin settlements are breaking down traditional barriers, making diversified portfolios accessible via smartphones and promising to channel trillions into equity markets.