The Economic Times

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.

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw a slight dip across major Indian cities on June 17, 2026, following a decline in domestic bullion rates. Major jewelers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyallukas reported a decrease in 22k gold prices compared to the previous day.

Gen Z investors are more likely to switch mutual fund portfolios during uncertain market conditions compared to older cohorts, a report shows. While younger investors rely heavily on digital platforms and peer influence, older groups prefer advisors and exhibit higher trust and lower switching behaviour across market cycles.

Nine equity mutual funds managed over Rs 70,000 crore AUM in May 2026, with Parag Parikh Flexi Cap leading above Rs 1.41 lakh crore. HDFC, SBI, ICICI, Nippon, and Kotak funds also featured prominently.

Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund made significant portfolio adjustments in May. The fund welcomed Nestle India and eleven new stocks. It also divested holdings in State Bank of India and fourteen other companies. Exposure was increased in sixteen stocks, including NMDC and Indus Towers. The fund's portfolio now holds thirty-eight stocks across sixteen sectors. Healthcare and non-ferrous metals are key allocations.

PM Kisan 23rd installment 2026: Farmers across the country are eagerly awaiting the PM Kisan Scheme date 2026 and looking for updates on the next payout under the PM Kisan Scheme.

Following RBI's measures to boost foreign currency inflows, several banks like Canara Bank, Federal Bank, Bank of Baroda, and IOB have launched FCNR(B) schemes with attractive US dollar deposit rates. These schemes, effective from June 2026, offer interest rates up to 6.50% p.a. for tenures of 3 to 5 years, with a one-year lock-in period.

As of 2025-26, the focus of travel insurance claims has transformed significantly. A staggering 16,000 claims pertain to non-medical issues like trip cancellations and delays, dwarfing the 4,000 medical claims recorded by Asego.

There are now 50 AMCs, of which 40 AMCs saw an increase in their AUMs in May. Here is a detailed breakup

An investor's 13-mutual fund portfolio, aiming for Rs 4.67 crore, was deemed over-fragmented and style-overlapping. An expert advised consolidating to 6-7 high-conviction funds, reducing gold/silver allocation, and shifting towards growth-oriented equity strategies for better long-term wealth creation.

New labour codes and central government rules simplify employee compliance by consolidating 29 fragmented laws into a unified framework. This brings procedural clarity, electronic filings, and a single registration system, enhancing transparency and formalizing employment. Employees benefit from expanded protections, including gratuity for fixed-term workers and dedicated schemes for gig workers.

Salaried individuals can still reduce their tax liability under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. Key deductions include employer contributions to NPS and EPF, a standard deduction of Rs 75,000, and interest on home loans for let-out properties. Exempt perquisites and certain official allowances also offer tax benefits.

A woman received Rs 20 lakh in permanent alimony as part of a divorce settlement. Despite agreeing to withdraw all cases, she continued criminal proceedings against her former husband's parents. The Rajasthan High Court deemed this an abuse of the court process. The court quashed the cases, stating the wife's actions were intended to harass the elderly parents.

The All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) has urged the 8th Pay Commission to replace the AICPI-IW-based inflation measure with a dedicated cost-of-living index for central government employees and pensioners. It argues the revised CPI underestimates rising expenses on food, healthcare, housing and education, leading to inadequate DA, DR, pay revisions and pension protection.

NRIs and OCIs can use NRE accounts for overseas income and NRO accounts for India-sourced income, but tax treatment differs sharply. NRE interest is tax-free in India, while NRO interest attracts TDS and taxation. However, DTAA benefits may reduce the tax burden on NRO income and help avoid double taxation.

Indians face a choice between traditional bank lockers and the government's DigiLocker for important documents. While DigiLocker offers convenient digital access for routine verification, experts emphasize that original physical documents like property deeds and Wills remain crucial for legal and financial transactions. Both methods have security and succession planning considerations.

Indian mutual fund houses are launching Life Cycle Funds, a new goal-based investment product. These funds automatically adjust asset allocation, starting with equities and shifting to safer debt as a target year approaches. Designed for long-term goals like retirement, they simplify investing by eliminating manual portfolio rebalancing. Investors should review the fund's glide path and compare it with other options.

Recurring Deposits offer a safe way to build savings with fixed monthly investments. Investors can choose between banks and post offices for their RD accounts. Interest rates vary, with post offices offering a competitive 6.7% for a five-year tenure. Banks also provide attractive rates for similar periods. Maturity amounts depend on monthly investment and tenure.