The Economic Times

New labour code rules mandate employers to issue detailed appointment letters, ensuring clarity on job roles, wages, and social security benefits. This standardized format, previously limited to certain sectors, now extends to all, reducing ambiguity and disputes. Employees in informal sectors stand to gain significantly from this move towards greater transparency and formalization of employment terms.

Gold rate today: Gold prices have seen a dip this week following a de-escalation in global tensions. As of June 20, 2026, 22k gold rates at major retailers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas remain stable.

Career breaks, common for women, can impact retirement savings. Experts advise accepting the situation and implementing a catch-up plan by temporarily increasing investments. Utilizing bonuses and reviewing portfolios for better returns are key. While aiming for higher gains, avoid excessive risk. Disciplined investing and strategic cash-flow management can help bridge the gap and secure financial independence.

The Telangana High Court gave relief to a wife by granting her divorce after it was found that her husband had misrepresented his age which resulted in her parents incorrectly matching their horoscope. The high court observed that due to this false fact about his date of birth and also the horoscope matching, she mistakenly believed that both of them were compatible with each other.

A Mumbai tenant received tax relief after selling a property he obtained for surrendering his tenancy rights. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled that the fair market value of the surrendered tenancy rights should be considered the cost of acquisition, not nil. This decision significantly reduced the tenant's capital gains tax liability on the Rs 38.62 lakh sale, recognizing the economic value of his original rights.

Senior citizens can now secure fixed deposit rates as high as 8.05% for a five-year term with select small finance banks. While these attractive rates are available, investors should be aware of the DICGC insurance limit of Rs 5 lakh. The article also clarifies TDS rules on FD interest, explaining how senior citizens can avoid deductions by submitting Form 15H if their total income falls below taxable limits.

Bank holiday: Indian banks operate on a mixed schedule, with closures on Sundays and the second/fourth Saturdays. While many services are digital, certain transactions like account opening, signature updates, and large cash movements still necessitate a branch visit.

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), an Indian credit card offers significant benefits beyond convenience, including building a crucial CIBIL score for future borrowing and simplifying rupee-denominated expenses. While unsecured cards are increasingly available, understanding forex charges, repayment mechanisms, and FEMA compliance is vital before applying.

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.