The Economic Times

India's direct tax strategy is shifting towards broader participation and better compliance, not rate hikes, according to the Economic Survey. Expect stability and fewer surprises for taxpayers in Budget 2026. The focus is on system clean-up and nudges over notices, encouraging voluntary compliance and simplifying tax administration for a growing taxpayer base.

Gold and silver based ETFs have delivered strong returns over a three year period amid global uncertainty. Data from MF Screener highlights the top five fund of fund options across gold and silver categories for medium term investors.

Indias post-Covid customers are asking tougher questions about health insurance, compelling agents to become true advisors instead of transactional sellers. Heres how structured training, clearer communication and local-language explanations are transforming frontline advisory. And why that shift is key to preventing claim shocks and building long-term trust.

Major global reinsurers, including Lloyd's of London, are seeking Indian regulatory approval to establish operations in GIFT City, a low-tax financial hub. These companies aim to tap into India's substantial insurance market by offering specialized products and benefiting from favorable tax treatment and regulatory alignment.

Nilesh Shah says judging fund managers by old clips misleads investors. Market views evolve with facts. He cites gold and silver gains since 2020, driven by central bank buying, geopolitics and diversification, urging investors to judge actions and allocation instead.

Every mutual fund has offered positive XIRR on SIP investments in the last five years, an analysis by ETMutualFunds showed. Nearly 208 equity funds have completed five years of existence in the industry, of which 177 gave double-digit XIRR, and three gave over 20% XIRR in the said time horizon.

HDFC Bank is revising its Infinia metal credit card reward point redemption policy from February 1, 2026, allowing a maximum of five redemptions per month. Previously, there were reports of a lower limit. The card offers five reward points per Rs 150 spent, with higher points for Smartbuy purchases.

Gold ETF boom: AUM of the top 10 AMCs crosses Rs 1.5 lakh crore in January as investors flock to safe-haven assets.

In the last few budgets, the government's aim has been to promote the New personal tax regime (NPTR) which led to almost 72% of taxpayers opting for NPTR while filing tax returns for fiscal year 2023-24. The government will continue its focus to promote NPTR in 2026 also.

India's crypto community eagerly awaits Budget 2026. Investors and experts hope for a fairer tax regime for Virtual Digital Assets. Current regulations are seen as complex and costly. Expectations include rationalizing the 1% TDS and allowing loss set-offs. This budget could be a turning point for crypto taxation in India.

Since the last Union Budget, 45 stocks have become multibaggers. As the next budget approaches, analysts are identifying sectors poised for growth. Infrastructure, defence, renewable energy, and manufacturing are key areas to watch. Targeted government spending and policy signals are expected to drive stock performance.

If you are planning to invest for three to five years, but dont want to take a call on interest rates, you can bet on dynamic bond funds. Kotak Dynamic Bond Fund, one of the recommended schemes, has been in the third quartile for the last 20 months. ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund has been in the second quartile for the last 20 months. Please follow our monthly updates to keep track of your investments

Bank holiday in Maharashtra: Many bank customers in Maharashtra are confused whether banks are open or closed in the state today (Friday, January 30, 2026) after its chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that state government offices would be closed for three days (i.e. till Friday).

The Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that an unmarried adult daughter is legally entitled to maintenance from her father, even if he has remarried and has other children. The court ordered a government teacher father to pay Rs 5 lakh for his 25-year-old daughter's wedding expenses and Rs 2,500 monthly maintenance until she marries or becomes self-sufficient.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Mumbai has ruled in favour of Mr. Nilawar. The tribunal cleared him of unexplained cash credit charges amounting to Rs 11 crore. Evidence including diaries and receipts were deemed explainable. This decision overturns the Assessing Officer's additions. The tribunal emphasized that suspicion alone cannot replace proof in tax matters.

A manager, Mr. Kumar, recorded women colleagues gossiping, leading to a sexual harassment complaint. The POSH committee cleared him of sexual harassment but recommended disciplinary action. The Bombay High Court ruled the committee exceeded its jurisdiction, quashing the reprimand and stating no action could be recommended if sexual harassment wasn't proven.

Mutual funds, driven by consistent household inflows via SIPs, have become a cornerstone of India's equity market, offsetting volatile foreign investor flows. Domestic institutional investors, including mutual funds and insurance companies, now hold a larger share of equities than foreign portfolio investors, marking a significant shift in market dynamics.

India's tax collection saw a major boost through data-driven nudges. The NUDGE initiative guided taxpayers to correct claims, leading to over Rs 119 crore additional tax from HRA. Foreign asset declarations and 80GGC donations also increased significantly. This approach promotes voluntary compliance, reducing friction and litigation for a more efficient tax system.

ICICI Bank is implementing significant credit card benefit changes effective February 1, 2025. Key updates include the discontinuation of BookMyShow movie benefits on select cards and revised reward point structures for transport and insurance spends.

Central government employees and pensioner bodies, associated with CCGEW, have threatened a one-day strike on February 12, 2026, if their demands are not met. These include incorporating their suggestions into the 8th Pay Commission's Terms of Reference and demanding 20% interim relief from January 1, 2026.

India's Economic Survey reveals significant tax relief for households has been provided, with the fiscal deficit falling below target. Experts offer differing views on future tax cuts, with some suggesting a shift towards stability and incremental rationalization rather than sweeping rate reductions. The survey emphasizes delayed gratification for long-term national gain.

Under the revised mandate, the fund will allocate 80100% of its assets to equity and equity-related instruments of companies in the consumption and consumption-related or allied sectors.

Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) has launched two BSE India Defencebased passive funds: the Mirae Asset BSE India Defence ETF and its ETF FOF. The NFOs open on February 2, the ETF closes on February 10 and the FOF closes on February 16, 2026. The schemes will reopen for continuous transactions later in February.

The government is looking at raising the Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. This move aims to bring more workers under the social security net. The proposal is being fast-tracked following a Supreme Court directive. If approved, the new limit could be effective from April 2026. This change will expand mandatory PF coverage and strengthen the fund's corpus.

Gold and silver have hit record highs, but WhiteOak Capital MF warns this isnt a time to chase the rally. Its report says gold is talking signalling macro risks while silver is screaming, indicating speculative excess. Investors may be better off taking profits, rebalancing and reallocating strategically.

The Reserve Bank of India has paused plans for banks to disclose climate change risks. This move impacts global efforts towards a low-carbon economy. The proposed rules, discussed since 2022, aimed for banks to report loan portfolio risks and mitigation strategies. Implementation was expected from fiscal year 2027. The central bank cited current priorities and potential costs for corporates.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights a sharp rise in equity and mutual fund allocation in household savings, driven by a sevenfold increase in SIP contributions, signalling a structural shift towards disciplined, long-term investing by Indian households.

Insurers must prioritise the digitisation of distribution to rationalise acquisition costs and restore value for money for policyholders, the Economic Survey 2025-26 noted.

A husband secured a divorce from the Gujarat High Court. His wife's strict refusal to eat onion and garlic, coupled with rigid behavior, was deemed mental cruelty. The court upheld the family court's decision. The wife contested alimony, but the court reviewed the financial aspects. The husband was ordered to pay maintenance.

It has been more than a decade since the introduction of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act in 2015, and its practical impact is now well established. Be it disclosures under the one-time disclosure scheme, which was introduced with the law, or the flurry of notices and summons that followed and assessment orders, appeals as well as writs constitutionally challenging various provisions of this law in courts.

Within these five years, January 2025 marked the sectors steepest decline, as the Nifty Realty index plunged 12.45%. Other years were also weak, with declines of 4.69% in 2023, 0.81% in 2022, and 2.61% in 2021. The lone outlier was 2024, when the index posted gains of over 9%.

New labour code 2025 ensures employees cannot face penalties for utilizing their full leave entitlements. Employers are barred from reducing increments or taking disciplinary action for taking earned, casual, or sick leaves. Performance appraisals must focus on objective metrics, not lawful leave usage. Continued ill-health terminations are permissible but require due process and medical evidence, excluding retrenchment compensation.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: My husband plans to fully fund the purchase of a house, with no financial contribution from me. When we sell the property later, will the entire capital gain be taxed in his name, or will a portion be attributed to me despite no financial input?

The Bombay High Court has delivered a significant ruling on dividend taxation for foreign companies. Dividends paid by Indian subsidiaries to their non-resident shareholders are now confirmed to be governed by the India-UK Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. This means India cannot tax these dividends beyond the rates stipulated in the treaty.

Gold ETFs outperformed silver ETFs with gains up to 13% amid a rally in precious metals. Rising geopolitical risks, strong investment flows and tight supply conditions have driven record highs in gold and silver futures on MCX.

International mutual funds have delivered triple-digit gains since Budget 2025, driven by a rebound in US and Asian markets. Experts say the surge reflects a cyclical recovery, not a structural shift. For Budget 2026, investors and AMCs expect policy stability, higher offshore limits, and clearer taxation rules to support global diversification.

From an income tax perspective, the new Income Tax Act, 2025, scheduled to be effective from 1 April, 2026, simplifies language, removes obsolete provisions and consolidates and restructures provisions. While the law itself does not overhaul the individual tax regime, there are always expectations from individual taxpayers before every Budget.

Foreign spending by Indians faces a tax anomaly. While forex and debit cards incur Tax Collected at Source (TCS) under LRS, international credit card spending remains exempt, creating a regulatory imbalance. Experts anticipate Budget 2026 will address this disparity, aiming for uniform treatment and enhanced transparency in overseas transactions.

The ITAT Ahmedabad ruled in favor of a landlord, striking down a Rs 7 lakh deemed rent addition for five vacant Mumbai apartments. The tribunal stated that if a property is held with the intention to rent but remains vacant despite genuine efforts, deemed rent charges are unjustified. This decision offers relief to property owners facing similar situations.

Experts are urging the government to raise the spending limit for gold purchases requiring PAN or Aadhaar. The current Rs 2 lakh threshold, set in 2016, is now easily crossed due to rising gold prices. This impacts ordinary buyers and small jewellers. An increased limit would ease compliance for genuine customers while maintaining transparency for high-value transactions.