The Economic Times

Even if your long-term capital gains from stocks are under Rs 1.25 lakh, you must still file your Income Tax Return for AY 2026-27. While this amount is tax-exempt, the Income Tax Department requires you to report these gains. Failure to disclose can lead to issues. Learn how to correctly report these gains in your ITR.

PPF interest rate: The Finance Ministry has maintained the Public Provident Fund (PPF) interest rate at 7.10% for the July-September 2026 quarter, keeping it unchanged from the previous period.

Ten equity mutual funds delivered over 25% returns in 2026 so far, led by Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund with 102%, driven by international, emerging markets and technology themes.

The Supreme Court has upheld a husband's Will, which disinherited his wife and children from certain properties, favouring his sister. The court ruled that excluding legal heirs does not automatically make a Will suspicious, especially when the testator stated he had already provided sufficiently for his family. This decision reinforces that a Will's validity hinges on its proper execution and the testator's clear intent, not solely on inheritance patterns.

Around eight mutual funds and two specialised investment funds (SIFs) are currently open for subscription across categories including hybrid, index, multi-asset, overnight and life cycle funds. Offerings from Zerodha, ICICI Prudential, Invesco, JioBlackRock, JM, Tata, HDFC and Choice are accepting investments before their respective closing dates.

The government has introduced the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026, replacing older schemes. The calculation formula for pensions also stays the same, based on pensionable salary and service.

Invesco Mutual Fund has launched Summit SIF, an equity long-short fund offering both long and limited short exposure via derivatives. The NFO closes on July 16 and targets alpha generation through dynamic strategies combining stock selection and tactical shorts, managed by Hiten Jain and benchmarked to the BSE 500 TRI.

Should investors choose SIPs in stocks or mutual funds? According to Hercules Advisors founder Aditya Shah, while direct equities may offer higher returns, they demand constant monitoring and carry greater risks. For senior citizens and passive investors, diversified mutual funds with professional management and appropriate asset allocation can be a safer and more practical route to long-term wealth creation.

ETMutualFunds presents SIP portfolio ideas tailored for conservative, moderate and aggressive investors. The allocations span three investment brackets, starting from Rs 2,000 to above Rs 10,000, combining flexi cap, large cap, hybrid, mid cap and small cap funds. Selection is based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and fund size.

Indian law governing a woman's property after her death without a will prioritizes her husband's heirs over her own parents. This outdated Hindu Succession Act, despite societal shifts where daughters are primary caregivers and financial supporters, leaves natal ties secondary to marital ones. While wills offer a solution, legislative reform is needed to reflect modern family realities and ensure parents are rightfully recognized in their daughter's succession line.

Gold prices saw an uptick across major Indian cities on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Leading jewellers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas reported higher rates for 22K gold jewellery compared to the previous day.

Active share measures how much a mutual fund's portfolio differs from its benchmark, helping investors assess whether they are paying for genuine active management or closet index investing.

TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund emerged as the best-performing equity mutual fund over the past year, delivering a 22.78% return and outperforming both its benchmark and category average. Experts attribute the performance to strong stock selection but advise investors to focus on long-term asset allocation, disciplined SIPs, and realistic return expectations.

ITR filing: Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) offers significant advantages beyond just tax payment. It's crucial for claiming refunds, carrying forward losses to reduce future tax, and enhancing loan and visa application prospects. Even if your income is below taxable limits, filing might be mandatory under certain conditions.

ETMutualFunds decided to put out a list of top 10 mutual fund schemes. We have chosen two schemes from five different equity mutual fund categories - aggressive hybrid, large cap, mid cap, small cap and flexi cap schemes which we believe should be enough for regular mutual fund investors.

The Reserve Bank of India has maintained the Floating Rate Savings Bond interest rate at 8.05% following the Finance Ministry's decision to keep the National Savings Certificate rate at 7.7%. This bond offers a 0.35% premium over the NSC, providing a competitive return compared to many small savings schemes and bank fixed deposits.

On the Google Play community page, a user recently shared a similar experience. They said, I took a Rs 1 trial on Moj app, but Rs 699 was auto-debited without clear consent. I have not used the subscription service at all. Please cancel my subscription and process a full refund immediately.

A Kerala family has been awarded Rs 2.5 lakh compensation after a public sector bank lost the original Pattayam (land title deed) submitted as security for a Rs 3 lakh agricultural loan. The mother-son duo mortgaged their 2-acre-20-cent land in 2014. When they discovered the document was missing in 2018, they faced significant distress and hardship, leading to the consumer commission's ruling.

Indians traditionally hold gold as jewellery and a store of wealth, but it often sits idle. Gold leasing offers a way to earn returns by lending your gold, similar to earning rent. While government schemes provide a regulated framework, private platforms operate with fewer protections. Investors must weigh potential returns against significant risks like counterparty default and lack of insurance, making due diligence crucial before leasing.

Even if your Form 16 shows zero tax payable due to the Section 87A rebate, filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) might still be mandatory. Certain income levels, high-value transactions like significant bank deposits, foreign travel, or owning foreign assets can trigger a filing requirement.

Edelweiss Asset Management Company crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in equity AUM, with total assets reaching Rs 1.78 lakh crore. The milestone reflects growing retail participation, strong SIP inflows, consistent fund performance and rising investor confidence in long-term wealth creation.

Paisabazaar has launched PB Pass, a new complimentary airport lounge access program for its credit card users, offering entry to over 1,800 lounges globally. This benefit is available to new credit card applicants upon activation and first bill payment via the Paisabazaar app.

EPF Scheme 2026: The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, has replaced the 1952 version, bringing the EPF under the new Social Security Code. While key benefits like contribution rates and UAN remain unchanged, the new framework emphasizes digital processes and introduces stricter governance for exempted trusts.

Diversification is key to successful investing, and Multi-Asset Allocation Funds offer a balanced approach. These funds invest in at least three asset classes, including equity for growth, debt for stability, and gold for diversification, ensuring a resilient portfolio. By combining these elements, investors gain exposure to multiple return sources through a single, convenient solution, helping navigate market cycles and achieve long-term goals.

Retirement planning often pits National Pension System (NPS) against equity mutual funds. While mutual funds offer flexibility and potentially higher returns, NPS boasts significant tax advantages and low costs. Read the article to know how a monthly investment of Rs 15,000, which goes up by 5% every year, can grow over 20 years in NPS and mutual funds.

Parents can open a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account for their minor children to secure their future, benefiting from compounding over the 15-year maturity period. While the annual contribution limit is 1.5 lakh across all minor accounts and the parent's own PPF, it offers tax benefits under the old regime.

Gold prices saw a slight dip today, July 1, 2026, across major Indian jewellers. Consumers looking to purchase gold jewellery will find it beneficial to compare rates from brands like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers.

Over the next 18 months, AlphaGrep Investment Management Pvt plans to unveil about half a dozen mutual funds, Chief Executive Officer Bhautik Ambani told a press conference Tuesday. On July 6, it will launch the first fund, a dynamically managed multi-asset fund investing across equities, fixed income and commodities.

A new Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, has replaced earlier pension schemes, effective June 29, 2026. While core benefits like the pension formula and contributions remain, key changes include faster pension claim settlements within 20 days and a 12% interest penalty for EPFO delays.

Labour Bureau reading for DA hike: The latest AICPI-IW data for May 2026 indicates that central government employees are likely to receive a 3% dearness allowance (DA) hike, taking DA from 60% to 63%. A 4% hike appears unlikely unless June's AICPI-IW reading jumps to around 154.5, with the final outcome depending on June inflation data and the government decision.

As taxpayers gear up for ITR filing in AY 2026-27, understanding the consolidated Form 168 (formerly AIS and Form 26AS) is crucial. This unified document offers a comprehensive view of your financial footprint, detailing income sources, investments, and tax credits. Reviewing it meticulously against your records helps ensure accurate reporting, prevent mismatches, and avoid potential tax notices, streamlining your return submission.

EPFO services, including online claim submissions and passbook downloads, will be unavailable until July 1, 2026, due to a system migration. Members can check their EPF balance via a missed call if their UAN is linked with Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details.

A 45-year-old salaried investor with a Rs 3 lakh monthly income sought expert advice on whether his mutual fund portfolio can support retirement at 60. The expert recommended continuing disciplined SIPs, consolidating 17 mutual fund schemes into seven, maintaining liquidity, and avoiding premature allocation for discretionary goals like buying a luxury car.

AlphaGrep Mutual Fund has launched its inaugural fund, the AlphaGrep Multi Asset Allocation Fund, marking its entry into the Indian retail market. This open-ended fund employs a systematic, quantitative approach to dynamically allocate capital across equities, fixed income, and commodities, aiming for long-term growth with minimal human bias. The NFO opens July 6 and closes July 20, offering institutional-grade strategies to everyday investors.

ETMutualFunds has unveiled recommended mutual fund portfolios for July 2026, catering to conservative, moderate, and aggressive investors. These curated SIP baskets, designed for long-term goals like retirement, are based on a robust methodology evaluating returns, consistency, risk, and outperformance. The selection process for equity, debt, and hybrid funds ensures a data-driven approach to investment choices for a broad audience.

The Bombay High Court has overturned disciplinary action against an SBI employee, ruling that a shared auto-rickshaw is not a 'workplace' under the POSH Act. The employee faced harassment charges after an incident during his commute. The court emphasized that for the Act to apply, transportation must be employer-provided. This decision leaves the merits of the harassment allegation open for other legal avenues.

Stock market traders, especially those involved in intraday and F&O trading without a registered business, need to understand tax audit rules. Income from these activities is typically classified as speculative business income. Turnover calculation, based on the aggregate of positive and negative differences, determines audit applicability, generally requiring an audit if it exceeds Rs 10 crore for banking channel transactions.

Suspect unfair appraisal in the private sector? Indian courts examine five key tests to detect bias. They first establish a comparable employee, then identify the grounds for discrimination, often focusing on protected characteristics. Employers must provide documented justifications for pay differences. Crucially, documentary evidence is vital. If proven, remedies can include back pay and compensation, though courts generally defer to management discretion in non-protected cases.

Unsure if your fund manager is truly active? Active share reveals how much a mutual fund's portfolio deviates from its benchmark index. A low active share might mean paying active fees for index-like performance. Understanding this metric helps investors identify genuine active management and avoid 'closet index funds,' potentially leading to better investment decisions.

The older mAadhaar App is retiring on June 30, 2026, making way for a new, enhanced Aadhaar App. Don't worry, your existing Aadhaar records will not be deleted; the app is merely a service access point.

Small savings scheme interest rates: The Finance Ministry has kept interest rates on all small savings schemes unchanged for the JulySeptember 2026 quarter. Rates remain 8.2% for SCSS and Sukanya Samriddhi, 7.7% for NSC, 7.5% for Kisan Vikas Patra and 5-year deposits, 7.1% for PPF, and 4% for Post Office Savings Account.

New Railway Act amendments, effective July 2026, significantly hike penalties for common travel offenses. Travelling without a ticket now incurs fare plus a minimum Rs 500 penalty, shifting from criminal charges to recovery.

Retiring with Rs 2 crore? Experts advise a prudent 3.5-4% withdrawal rate, yielding around Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000 monthly. This sustainable income hinges on lifestyle, inflation, and investment strategy, with a balanced portfolio of equities and bonds crucial. Avoiding common pitfalls like excessive early withdrawals and neglecting healthcare costs ensures your corpus lasts.