The Economic Times

The article highlights why financial protection should begin early, not just after major life milestones. It explains how buying a term insurance plan in your 20s or 30s can secure lower premiums while strengthening long-term financial stability. The piece also explores how early planning safeguards future goals and loved ones. Published on National Insurance Awareness Day, it encourages young adults to make informed financial decisions and build a secure future.

Six smallcap stocks, including Hindustan Copper and NLC India, may move to midcap in AMFIs H2 CY26 reshuffle, as per Nuvama Institutional Equities. The potential reclassification could influence fund flows, though projected threshold levels show inconsistencies and need confirmation before firm conclusions are drawn.

The Kerala High Court has ruled that a bank dealing with public funds owes a duty to its depositors to make prompt payment of the funds deposited by them. This judgement came against the background of a case filed by a man from Thrissur whose grievance was that his Rs 5 lakh FD which had matured in 2015 but due to technical reasons the bank did not repay it.

Homebuyers have won a significant victory in Tamil Nadu, with the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (TNREAT) allowing them to appoint independent engineers to inspect properties for construction defects. This ruling empowers buyers to verify the quality of materials and construction, even against builder objections. The tribunal emphasized that such inspections benefit both parties by ensuring promised standards and rectifying any issues, promoting transparency in real estate.

Senior citizens seeking secure investments are finding attractive options in fixed deposits, especially for 5-year tenures. Small finance banks are leading the pack, with Suryoday SFB and Jana Small Finance Bank offering a compelling 8.05% interest rate for senior citizens. This competitive landscape ensures older investors can secure stable, higher returns for their retirement savings.

The SC said that the homebuyer can make a claim for compensation for delayed possession. The subsequent receipt of possession cannot, by itself, extinguish the right of the allottee to seek adjudication of a claim for compensation for the alleged delay, the top court stated. The top court has also revived the 2005 complaint made by the homebuyer.

8th pay commission calculator: Central government employees 8th Pay Commission arrears will depend on the implementation timeline and final fitment factor. Experts estimate substantial payouts for Level 15 employees if implementation is delayed by 20 months, with arrears ranging from about 3.6 lakh to 10.8 lakh under fitment factors between 2.0 and 2.86.

Get ready for significant financial shifts starting July 1, 2026. Taxpayers face new ITR filing deadlines, while Aadhaar card holders can update their email for free. SBI and HDFC credit card users will see changes in reward points and lounge access eligibility. Passport fees are set to rise, and banks will face stricter rules against mis-selling financial products, ensuring customer refunds and compensation.

Risk-adjusted return measures the excess return over the risk-free rate per unit of risk and is measured in terms of standard deviation.

Gold prices saw a significant uptick today, June 27, 2026, with major retailers like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reporting higher rates for 22-carat gold. The IBJA has not updated its rates due to market closures.

These low-cost liquid and overnight mutual funds combined minimal expense ratios with competitive three-month returns. PGIM India Liquid Fund led the list, followed by UTI, Kotak, HSBC, and Sundaram funds.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions to Indian equity mutual funds hit a multi-year high of 29% in May 2026, signaling robust investor confidence despite market volatility. Equity AUM surged to Rs 36.18 lakh crore, with SIP AUM growing 17% year-on-year. This sustained growth highlights the increasing dominance of mutual funds in the investment landscape.

HDFC Mid Cap Fund has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore AUM milestone, cementing its position among the country's largest mid-cap schemes. Since its launch in 2007, the fund has delivered a CAGR of 17.13%, outperforming its benchmark while maintaining a disciplined, research-driven approach across market cycles.

Experts advise against frequent mutual fund portfolio changes based on short-term performance. An investor's midcap and smallcap investments, some only months old, were reviewed. While most schemes are deemed appropriate, a retirement fund's lock-in period warrants careful consideration for flexibility. Thorough research and patience are key to long-term wealth creation, with a minimum two-year timeframe recommended before assessing fund performance.

Missed reporting your Fixed Deposit interest in your Income Tax Return? Don't worry, you can still fix it. The Income Tax Department receives FD interest details, so omissions can be flagged. Filing an Updated Return (ITR-U) within four years allows you to declare missed income and rectify errors, though additional tax and penalties may apply. This voluntary step helps avoid future disputes and keeps your tax records accurate.

ITR filing: Transferring investments to your spouse to save taxes is a common misconception. The Income Tax Department scrutinises fund sources and can club income back to the original provider. This applies to FDs, shares, and gold, where income or capital gains from gifted assets are often taxed in the transferor's hands. Proper documentation and reporting are crucial to avoid penalties and tax demands.

The Bombay High Court has ruled in favor of homebuyers, allowing them to form a single housing society for a multi-tower project. The court rejected a builder's plea to create separate societies, citing a nine-year delay in the builder's own society formation process. This landmark decision empowers residents to unite and manage their shared amenities effectively, ensuring their collective interests are protected against prolonged developer inaction.

Several customers are now wondering whether banks will remain shut today (Saturday, June 27, 2026) as well. If you have any pending banking work, it's worth checking the holiday schedule before heading to your bank branch.

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.