The Economic Times

Retail investors have stayed committed to Indian markets through multiple crises, but their confidence must be continually reinforced as savings grow. Taxation, especially STT, CTT, and capital gains, adds friction and makes India less competitive globally. Predictable, rational tax policy and long-term support for mutual funds are crucial to sustain domestic capital formation. Higher capex, especially in defence and infrastructure, is essential for long-term growth.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Central government employees and pensioners can expect 8th Pay Commission arrears from January 1, 2026, with revised payouts likely in mid-2027. Arrears are calculated based on the difference in basic pay and dearness allowance, with the fitment factor significantly impacting the final amount. Employees in Levels 4 and 5 stand to gain the more in absolute terms compared to Level 1-3 employees, as per an expert.

ETMutual Funds' best mutual fund SIP portfolios are built for three distinct risk profiles: conservative, moderate, and aggressive.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: Is it possible to file an income tax return (ITR) for a deceased family member (mother or father) and claim a refund for tax deducted at source (TDS) on income received in the same financial year?

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai ruled in favour of a taxpayer whose Rs 5.6 lakh in foreign currency was seized by the tax department. The tribunal clarified that holding legitimately acquired foreign currency within FEMA limits is permissible and not subject to Section 69A of the Income Tax Act.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is grandfathering two of its fund of funds, the Passive Multi-Asset Fund of Fund and Global Advantage Fund, from January 27, 2026. This allows them to continue with existing investment objectives. However, new subscriptions via lump sum or fresh SIPs/STPs will cease. Existing plans will be discontinued by February 5, 2026, with redemptions unaffected.

Ultratech Cement has announced strong financial results for the third quarter of FY26. The company's profit after tax saw a significant 32% year-on-year increase, reaching Rs 1,792 crore. Net sales also climbed by 22.5% year-on-year to Rs 21,506 crore. These figures exclude the impact of the New Labour Code.

FD rate up to 8% for senior citizens: Heres a closer look at the banks and small finance banks currently providing the highest five-year FD interest rates for senior citizens.

Indian stock markets closed 2025 with caution amid global worries and investor outflows. However, strong domestic fundamentals offer a positive long-term view. For 2026, expect a range-bound market led by large caps. Investors should maintain a balanced portfolio with a large-cap focus. Gold and silver show promising outlooks for the coming year.

With Budget 2026 approaching, salaried taxpayers face a dilemma between the old tax regime's deductions and the new regime's higher tax-free limit. Those with home loans, insurance, or savings schemes are particularly confused. Experts hope Budget 2026 will offer increased deduction limits and a simpler, more balanced tax structure.

Indians residing overseas are actively investing in Indian mutual funds for long-term wealth. Pavan, a UK-based investor, exemplifies this trend. The article addresses eligibility, taxation, and compliance for non-resident investors. It highlights that OCI status is not mandatory for investment. Experts suggest reviewing portfolios annually to adapt to changing financial landscapes and currency differences for optimal retirement planning.

Taxpayers face significant delays in receiving refunds and tax relief even after winning cases at the ITAT and other appellate authorities. This administrative inertia, where tax officers delay implementing favourable orders, nullifies the benefit of these rulings and causes financial hardship. Budget 2026 must introduce system-driven, time-bound order giving effect processes with accountability for delays.

A Delhi employee sought EPF and ESI benefits after being laid off. His case was dismissed by consumer commissions. The commissions ruled that employer-employee disputes are labor matters. Such grievances must be addressed in labor courts. The employee's appeal was rejected as he failed to challenge the district commission's reasoning. The state commission upheld the decision.

Experts outline investment strategies for Rs 5 lakh across 3, 5, and 10-year horizons. They suggest asset allocation based on risk appetite, recommending options like FDs, debt funds, hybrid funds, and equity for different timeframes. Tax efficiency and expected corpus generation are key considerations for investors seeking optimal returns.

Kotak Investment Advisors is set to launch its largest-ever fund, the $2 billion Kotak Strategic Situations Fund III, with a first close expected by March and final close by June. Building on past successes, the fund will invest in strategic opportunities across equity, debt, and hybrid instruments. Existing investors are participating, alongside strong interest from new global institutions.

With the new Income-tax Act approaching, Budget 2026 presents a crucial chance to reform India's Faceless Assessment Scheme. Current structural issues like over-engineering and duplicated functions are undermining the scheme's goals of transparency and reduced discretion. The budget must address these inefficiencies to ensure a simpler, accountable, and justice-oriented tax administration.

Bank holiday today: Even though banks may be physically closed, digital banking services including net banking, mobile banking, and UPI services will continue to function

The central government has approved significant wage and pension revisions for employees and pensioners of Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and NABARD, effective from August 1, 2022, and November 1, 2022, respectively. Additionally, RBI retirees will see their pensions enhanced by 10% from November 1, 2022, bolstering financial security for thousands.

Many government employees rely on pensions for retirement security, but building a substantial investment corpus is just as crucial for long-term goals. An expert explains how SIP structuring, allocation and disciplined investing can help them achieve their financial target.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has launched two new passive investment products: the Nifty 500 Healthcare ETF and the Nifty India Infrastructure & Logistics ETF, offering diversified exposure to key growth sectors through low-cost, index-tracking investment options.

For a growing section of taxpayers - young professionals, gig workers, and freelancers - filing a tax return still remains complex. Multiple income streams, digital transactions, and evolving compliance norms often lead to confusion and anxiety. So, as India advances toward becoming a digital-first economy, it is imperative to establish a simplified, intuitive, and user-friendly tax framework.

Despite silvers 200% rally, global silver ETFs saw 2026 outflows, while gold ETFs stayed steadier. A compressed goldsilver ratio and rising volatility are prompting portfolio rebalancing toward gold for near-term stability, without abandoning silvers long-term upside amid expanding global liquidity.

Gold and silver ETFs experienced a significant drop on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following President Trump's announcement against annexing Greenland. This eased geopolitical tensions, leading to profit booking and unwinding of safe-haven positions. Investors saw losses primarily from the correction of premiums on ETF trading prices rather than a sharp decline in underlying asset values.

Banks across India may remain closed for four consecutive days due to an all-India strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The strike has been called to protest the delayed implementation of a five-day working week, a demand that has been pending for the past two years.

Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik advises against investing without a financial plan for 2026. He emphasizes financial hygiene, including emergency funds and insurance, before focusing on returns. Kaushik then outlines an SIP allocation strategy based on investment tenure, recommending specific fund types for short to long-term goals.

The Indian mutual fund industrys passive fund folios have expanded nearly 18-fold over the past five years, with assets under management (AUM) rising to Rs 14.20 lakh crore in December 2025 from Rs 10.85 lakh crore a year earlier, marking a 31% year-on-year increase, according to a Franklin Templeton India Mutual Fund note on industry developments.

In many Indian households, women manage daily finances but are left out of long-term planning. This habitual gap weakens financial preparedness. Families that plan together make clearer decisions and are better equipped for rising education, healthcare, and retirement costs. As financial complexity grows, inclusive planning is no longer optional. Financial security is built collectively, not alone.

Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund has launched its new equity offering, the Jio BlackRock Sector Rotation Fund, powered by BlackRock's Systematic Active Equities (SAE) approach. The fund, opening January 27, aims to capture sector alpha by dynamically adjusting exposures based on market conditions, complementing flexicap strategies for enhanced diversification and risk-adjusted returns.

Budget 2026 might offer relief on long-term capital gains tax for lower-income individuals. Experts suggest targeted exemptions or investment-linked incentives could boost disposable income and encourage long-term savings. This move aims to support personal financial security and deepen capital markets. Reforms could also simplify short-term capital gains tax on unlisted equities.

Central bank independence is crucial for economic stability, as it helps control inflation and maintain confidence. Research shows that political interference in monetary policy often leads to higher inflation, currency weakness and slower growth.

Defence sector mutual funds have seen significant gains, driven by government initiatives like 'Make in India' and rising geopolitical tensions. Experts advise caution, suggesting limited allocation and cautioning against sectoral funds for new investors. While the outlook remains positive, execution and policy risks are key considerations for the sector's future performance.

As per Sebi norms, these schemes must invest 80% of their corpus in government securities. As you see, these schemes invest in government papers or they lend to the government. Therefore, they dont have any credit risk or they face zero defaults. However, they are extremely sensitive to interest rate changes.