The Economic Times

In a significant policyholder-centric move, IRDAI has linked insurance executive pay to customer-centric metrics like claim settlement and grievance redressal. Insurers must now publicly disclose detailed data on claim timelines, complaint handling, and product performance, empowering policyholders to make informed decisions beyond just premiums.

Pune Police have clarified that no 14-day curfew is being imposed in the city. Social media rumours about a curfew starting May 26, 2026, are false. Banks will operate as usual and are not affected by any curfew. Bank holidays are determined by the Reserve Bank of India. Customers should consult the RBI holiday calendar for specific dates.

A fake email claiming to be from the Reserve Bank of India is circulating. It asks people to pay a credit fee for a 'Donation Program 2026' or to receive lottery compensation. The PIB Fact Check team has confirmed this is a phishing attempt. Citizens are warned not to share personal or financial details.

Five small cap mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised returns in the last three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap at 29.1%. Passive small cap index funds also posted strong gains, while several popular active small cap schemes remained laggards with single-digit returns.

Under National Pension System's (NPS) Retirement Income Schemes (RIS), subscribers can choose periodic payouts till age 85 via Systematic Payout Rate or Systematic Unit Redemption. The scheme aims to balance regular income, market-linked returns, and corpus longevity through a structured glide path.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have a DDA flat since 2008, which is leasehold. I now want to sell it. Is it mandatory to convert it to freehold? Do I need the signature of the original allottee?

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw a dip on May 26, 2026, as diplomatic talks between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz offered hopes for a peace agreement. This followed recent US-Iran strikes, influencing market sentiment.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Funds Sankaran Naren emerged as the top mutual fund manager by assets under management in the March 2026 quarter, overseeing Rs 1.59 lakh crore. The list of top fund managers managing over Rs 1 lakh crore AUM also included Rajeev Thakkar, Chirag Setalvad, Amit Ganatra, Shreyash Devalkar, and Sailesh Raj Bhan.

The Reserve Bank of India is proactively assessing potential borrower stress due to the US-Iran conflict, engaging with local credit rating agencies. Discussions focused on evaluating ground conditions and the need for temporary regulatory relief to safeguard creditworthiness. Authorities aim to prevent economic growth from being hampered by any emerging financial strain.

The Indian Railway Technical Supervisors' Association has proposed a significant change for the 8th Pay Commission. Instead of a single fitment factor, IRTSA suggests multiple multipliers for different employee levels. This aims to create a more balanced salary structure. The association also seeks a new cadre structure and enhanced career progression for technical supervisors.

Investors can now gain real estate exposure through REITs, an alternative to direct property purchase. These trusts pool funds to invest in income-generating properties like offices and malls. REITs offer potential returns between fixed deposits and equities, with yields ranging from 6% to 9%. They distribute a significant portion of rental income to unit holders, providing periodic payouts.

Mutual funds reduced their exposure to private banks for the second consecutive month in April, driven by tactical rotation and near-term earnings and margin concerns. Experts suggest this is a short-term adjustment rather than a structural shift, with banking sector funds experiencing recent declines but offering long-term accumulation opportunities.

The husband, a Chartered Accountant (CA) by profession, had in 2004 filed for a divorce on the ground of cruelty, claiming that wife was not behaving properly; was not doing her household work; she was disobedient towards his parents; her behavior was rude; she was not able to cook; the wife caused him mental stress, all these acts amount to cruelty.

Private sector employees in India face limited legal recourse against appraisal discrimination, especially when it's not gender-based. While constitutional articles and the Code on Wages offer some protection, employers retain wide discretion in determining increments. Proving subjective bias in appraisals is challenging, requiring a comparator, a protected ground, and written evidence.

A retired government employee's son finally received Rs 6.71 lakh in unpaid salary after a 21-year wait. While the Patna High Court initially ordered interest on the full arrears, a larger bench restricted it to three years preceding the court filing. This decision aligns with Supreme Court precedents on delayed claims.

Bank holiday: Banks will observe closures for Bakri ID (Id-Uz-Zuha) on May 27 and 28, 2026, with dates varying by state. This divergence follows central and Telangana government decisions to shift the holiday to May 28. Customers should verify local bank holiday schedules before planning transactions.

India is actively shaping its digital asset future. Authorities are implementing stricter rules for crypto platforms and transactions. Tax collections are rising, and law enforcement is building capacity. Investor interest is shifting towards long-term allocation. New regulations are formalising real-world asset tokenisation. India is setting a global precedent in this evolving financial space.

Gold prices saw a slight increase on Monday, May 25, 2026, influenced by ongoing US-Iran peace talks. Major retailers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher rates for 22k gold. The IBJA also indicated a rise in gold and silver prices compared to May 22, 2026.

Foreign hackers attempted a novel AI-powered cyberattack targeting two-factor authentication using a zero-day exploit. Google's Threat Intelligence Group detected and thwarted this sophisticated plot, which aimed for mass exploitation. The AI-generated exploit exploited a logic flaw in a server administration tool, highlighting a new frontier in cyber threats. Consumers are urged to update software and use stronger authentication methods.

The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favour of exempt trust employees. Those who retired after September 1, 2014, and contributed Provident Fund on actual wages can now claim a higher EPS 95 pension. The court quashed the EPFO's rejection orders. This decision allows eligible employees to exercise joint options for enhanced pension calculations.

Planning your retirement corpus is crucial. A Rs 2 crore fund may not last 20 years with high withdrawals. Experts suggest a bucket strategy for sustainable income. This involves allocating funds for immediate needs, stable income, and growth. Careful planning and realistic withdrawals are key to ensuring your retirement fund lasts.

The 8th Pay Commission is still consulting stake holders on salary, pension and allowance revisions before finalising its report. Once approved, it may be implemented by late 2027, with arrears likely from January 1, 2026. Employee bodies have proposed varying fitment factors. Once the report is submitted, approved and implemented, central government employees will get arrears and increased pay outs.

LIC new plans 2026: Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched two new joint life insurance savings plans, LICs New Jeevan Sathi Single Premium and LICs New Jeevan Sathi Limited Premium. These non-par, non-market linked plans offer couples financial protection and long-term savings with guaranteed additions and fixed benefits, ensuring certainty on returns and payouts.

An investor's mutual fund portfolio was reviewed, revealing a need for better alignment with long-term goals. Experts advised shifting focus from direct equities to mutual funds, increasing SIPs annually, and diversifying beyond momentum-based index funds to achieve a Rs 7 crore target.

With fees, security and ease of use all up for scrutiny, WazirX makes a strong case for being the everyday traders go-to platform in Indias crowded crypto market.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2021-22 Series-I, fixed at Rs 15,840 per unit. Investors can redeem these bonds from May 25, 2026, after five years from the issue date. This premature redemption offers an impressive 235% simple return on the initial investment.

Sebi has proposed a framework allowing salaried employees to invest in mutual funds through salary deductions, similar to EPF and NPS. This initiative aims to simplify investing for first-time users, potentially reducing SIP stoppages and boosting monthly inflows by offering a disciplined, automated savings channel.

Gilt funds are gaining traction among aggressive debt investors. Advisors suggest these funds could deliver strong returns if the RBI cuts interest rates. Gilt funds invest in government securities, carrying no credit risk but high sensitivity to interest rate changes. Investors should be aware of the risks and have a long-term view.

Bombay High Court dismissed a tenant's plea to recognize a new builder in a redevelopment case. The court found no contract between the new builder and the landlord. It deemed the tenants' action an 'elite form of coercion and extortion'. The court imposed Rs 5 lakh costs on the tenants for abusing the legal process.

The Karnataka High Court restored ancestral land to three brothers after an outsider, Basappa, falsely mutated his name using a common surname. Basappa claimed ownership based on a supposed 1946 sale deed but failed to produce any proof. The court ruled in favor of the brothers, declaring them joint owners and restraining Basappa from interfering with their possession.

State Bank of India branches will operate as usual on May 25 and 26, 2026. The planned two-day strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has been postponed. Customers can access all regular banking services without disruption. This decision ensures continuity for banking operations across the nation. The deferral addresses concerns about employee-related issues.

Yet, investment restrictions imposed on overseas exposure limits continue to constrain fresh inflows. While SIPs remain largely open, lump-sum investments are still restricted in many schemes.

New health plans cover treatments requiring two hours of hospitalisation, but exclusions remain critical.

The logic is simple: lounge access has become a heavily used perk. Banks earlier assumed that only premium customers or frequent flyers would visit lounges regularly. Instead, many customers signed up purely for lounge access, often with a fee waiver and otherwise using the cards sparingly otherwise

The RBIs rate-cut cycle is behind us. Experts foresee 5075 bps of hikes. Your bond portfolio needs to reflect that.

A 10-year SIP investor has zero chance of losing money, while a 4-year investor has an 80% probability of earning over 10%. The ET WealthCrisil SIP Study 2026 crunches the numbersand this year, puts them through a market crash.

From a cancer diagnosis in Kolkata to a layoff in Bengaluru to Covid panic in Agrareal investors, real crises, and the real cost of walking away.