The Economic Times

Home loan insurance is emerging as an important financial safeguard for Indian homebuyers, helping families manage outstanding loan liabilities in unforeseen circumstances. With rising homeownership and larger loan sizes, more borrowers are actively seeking protection solutions that offer both affordability and flexibility. The article explores the benefits of home loan insurance, evolving consumer preferences, and the growing importance of transparency and choice. It also highlights recent regu

EPF subscribers can expect their 8.25% interest for FY2025-26 to be credited this month, as the government has officially ratified the rate. This annual interest is calculated on a monthly running balance, ensuring no loss for members even with delayed crediting. Subscribers can easily check their updated balances through the EPFO portal or the Umang app.

Gold and silver prices have dropped sharply this month as easing Iran-US tensions dampened safe-haven demand. Experts advise existing investors to avoid panic selling, as the long-term outlook remains positive. New investors can use the correction to invest gradually through SIPs in ETFs, while maintaining a 10-15% portfolio allocation to precious metals.

Sunil Singhania-backed Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund significantly increased its holdings in HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries during May. The fund also added substantial stakes in Edelweiss Financial Services, The Federal Bank, Tata Steel, and Urban Company, among 29 other stocks. No stocks were reduced or exited, maintaining a portfolio of 49 scrips across 23 sectors.

Form 168: The Income Tax Department has unveiled Form 168, a comprehensive upgrade to the Annual Information Statement, effectively superseding the traditional Form 26AS. This new form consolidates all tax-related and financial transaction data linked to your PAN, offering a holistic view of your tax compliance. It's automatically generated, so taxpayers don't need to file it.

Four mutual fund houses, Axis, ICICI Prudential, SBI, and Nippon India, attracted over Rs 10,000 crore each from T30 cities in May, boosting monthly AAUM and highlighting strong investor participation.

Mirae Asset Mutual Funds May 2026 portfolio shows HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RIL, SBI and Infosys among its top holdings. While allocations remained largely stable, select stocks saw marginal changes in weight. The fund house managed Rs 2.31 lakh crore in assets across 96 schemes during the month.

While individuals take numerous steps to multiply their wealth to build a notable fortune, little do they plan for what to do next. For someone who has become rich, it would be hard to resist the demands because of the simple reasonthey can now afford things.

Gold rate today: Gold prices are down today across India. This follows a drop in domestic bullion rates. Consumers planning to buy gold jewellery will find lower prices. Experts suggest gold may target further support zones.

NRIs can significantly reduce tax on NRE deposits in India, as this income is tax-exempt. While NRO account interest is taxable in India, NRIs can leverage Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) to potentially lower their tax burden or claim credits in their country of residence, avoiding double taxation.

HDFC Mutual Fund increased exposure to Tata Motors, HDFC Bank and Eternal while trimming holdings in Infosys, ITC and Adani Ports, with Garware Technical Fibres emerging as its sole new portfolio addition in May.

The Income Tax Department has launched online filing and Excel utility for Income Tax Return-3 for Assessment Year 2026-27. This form is for individuals and HUFs with business or professional income. Taxpayers not eligible for simpler forms must use ITR-3. The due date for salaried individuals is July 31, 2026.

When Mr Balasubramanian Venkatachalaperumal from Jagadamal Street retired from ONGC in FY 2019-20, he got Rs 19.05 lakh as leave encashment and thus he filed his income tax return (ITR) on October 29, 2021. In his ITR he declared a total income of Rs 31.62 lakh after claiming tax exemption for the entire amount of leave encashment under Section 10(10AA)(ii).

Zerodha Fund House has launched Indias first target-date Life Cycle Fund series, offering two schemes: 2036 and 2041 maturities. The NFO is open till July 7, with continuous subscription to follow. Built on a rule-based approach, the funds dynamically adjust asset allocation over time and aim to serve investors across different life stages and long-term goals.

Nippon India Small Cap Fund has topped all equity funds over a decade, delivering a 20.94% CAGR. Despite recent underperformance, its long-term stock-picking prowess and diversification have driven superior risk-adjusted returns. Experts advise caution on lump-sum investments due to elevated valuations, favoring SIPs for long-term wealth compounding.

Banking and PSU debt funds offer a relatively safe investment avenue for investors looking for a few years. These schemes primarily invest in debt instruments of banks and public sector undertakings, which are largely government-backed, minimizing credit risk. While interest rate fluctuations can impact returns, these funds are generally better positioned due to shorter duration investments.

A car buyer has won a significant victory after a nearly three-year legal battle. His seven-month-old MG CVT automatic car experienced Electronic Steering Column Lock failure, leading to a jammed steering wheel and an accident. The North Delhi Consumer Commission has ordered MG Motors to refund the car's purchase price of Rs 18.

Tokenised gold is emerging as a new investment option in India. It uses blockchain to represent physical gold digitally. Investors can trade tokens easily, even in small amounts. However, this new product lacks regulation and faces high taxes. Experts advise caution and suggest it as an experimental investment.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority now requires Points of Presence offering National Pension System services to undergo audits. This directive, effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, ensures compliance with NPS rules, KYC norms, and proper handling of subscriber funds.

EPF interest rate: The government has approved an 8.25% interest rate for Employees Provident Fund deposits for the fiscal year 2025-26. This rate remains unchanged for the third consecutive year. Over seven crore members are expected to receive this credit soon. Members can check their EPF balance through the Umang app, EPF member e-sewa portal, missed calls, or SMS.

Quant Mid Cap Funds AUM rose to Rs 8,109 crore in May. The fund added Adani Energy, Indus Towers, Lenskart Solutions, Persistent Systems and Torrent Pharmaceuticals, exited select holdings, raised exposure to Nippon Life India Asset Management and adjusted sector allocations across telecom, power and financial services.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund remained Indias second-largest AMC with an AUM of Rs 11.78 lakh crore in May 2026. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were its top holdings, while allocations also remained significant in RIL, Axis Bank, Infosys, L&T, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, Maruti Suzuki and NTPC.

Mutual funds introduced four new stocks into their portfolios in May, according to Prime Database disclosures. Afcom Holdings saw the highest inflows, followed by Q-Line Biotech, Ratnaveer Precision Engineering and Paramount Communications. These additions reflect ongoing portfolio reshuffling by fund houses to capture emerging opportunities across segments.

Gold prices remained largely steady across major Indian cities on June 18, 2026, with 22k gold jewelry priced at Rs 13,895 per gram at Tanishq and Rs 13,850 per gram at other leading brands. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) reported a marginal decline in gold rates and a fall in silver prices compared to the previous day.

Self-employed individuals and salaried employees not receiving House Rent Allowance (HRA) can claim tax benefits for rent paid under Section 80GG of the Income Tax Act. This deduction, capped at Rs 60,000 annually, is available only under the old tax regime and requires filing Form 10BA. HRA exemption and Section 80GG are mutually exclusive.

Tax-free income: Unlock tax savings with these eight income sources exempt from income tax in India. From agricultural earnings and provident fund withdrawals to gifts from relatives and insurance payouts, understand how to keep more of your money.

Five midcap mutual funds have delivered over 20% annualised returns in the past three years, led by HSBC Midcap Fund. ICICI Prudential, Invesco India, WhiteOak Capital, and Nippon India Growth also featured among top performers, reflecting strong midcap segment momentum and consistent investor interest in higher-growth equity funds.

A man has won Rs 15,000 compensation after a Jalandhar restaurant charged him Rs 151.53 as service charge. The Consumer Commission ruled the charge was an unfair trade practice. The restaurant claimed it was staff contribution but bills showed service charge. The commission found no proof of consent for the mandatory levy.

JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund exited Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports and three other stocks in May while adding Tata Motors and 14 new stocks to its portfolio, according to monthly disclosures. The fund sold 40,731 shares of Adani Enterprises worth Rs 9.80 crore and exited 76,122 shares of Adani Ports during the month.

Mutual funds have cut their stake in PSU banks to an eight-month low. This move has led to discussions about whether it signals caution or presents a buying chance. Experts suggest focusing on company fundamentals and valuations rather than solely on institutional shifts. The sector has seen strong performance, prompting some profit booking and portfolio rebalancing by fund managers.

The case dates back to 2010 when the two homebuyers had made bookings for 3BHK flats in a housing society project initially proposed in Noida. They were promised the possession of the flats in two years by 2012. However, following alleged disputes over land, the society shifted the project to Ghaziabad.

Taxpayers must correct TDS challans for Tax Year 2026-27 on the old TRACES portal. This is crucial if the challan was mistakenly filed under FY 2025-26. Failure to correct will prevent TDS credit for Tax Year 2026-27, increasing tax liability. The new TRACES portal does not yet support this correction. Timely correction ensures proper tax credit and avoids disputes.

Mutual fund advisors are predicting 2026 as the year for hybrid funds, especially for new investors navigating economic uncertainties. Conservative hybrid funds, with a majority allocation to debt and a smaller portion to equity, offer a cautious entry point. These funds aim to provide slightly enhanced returns through a limited equity exposure.

Dolly Khanna successfully challenged the tax department's classification of her Rs 54 crore short-term capital loss as a business loss. The ITAT Chennai ruled she is an investor, not a trader, allowing the loss to be treated as a capital loss. This decision was supported by a 2016 CBDT circular and her consistent investment history.

8th Pay Commission arrear: Central government employees await the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations, with meetings underway. Arrears for top-level employees (Level 15-18) could range from 36.44 lakh to over 93 lakh for a 20-month delay, depending on the fitment factor. These figures are estimates until the official report is implemented.

InCred Money has secured Sebi's in-principle approval for a mutual fund licence, marking a key step toward launching its asset management business. The company plans to build a digital-first AMC and expects to go live after completing regulatory and operational requirements.

The Reserve Bank of India has temporarily lifted interest rate restrictions on certain NRE and FCNR(B) deposits until September 30, 2026. This move aims to attract foreign currency inflows by allowing banks to offer higher rates on these deposits, benefiting Non-Resident Indians planning to open or renew them.

The Income Tax Department has set July 31, 2026, as the deadline for most individual taxpayers, including the salaried class, to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) for AY 2026-27. However, different due dates apply based on income sources and audit requirements, with some non-audit businesses and professionals now having until August 31, 2026.