The Economic Times

The Unique Identification Authority of India has updated Aadhaar enrolment and correction rules. New regulations expand accepted documents for Aadhaar applications. Enrolment for children and vulnerable groups becomes simpler. Rules for foreigners are now clearer. These changes aim to modernize Aadhaar processes and improve accessibility for all citizens.

Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to postpone gold purchases to curb India's import bill amidst West Asia tensions. While the intention is welcomed, the industry fears business and job impacts. Experts advise existing investors to hold, suggesting digital gold for new buyers, and propose solutions like domestic gold recycling and tax law amendments to address import concerns.

Mutual funds showed strong preference for banking and largecap stocks in April, with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India topping holdings across more than 700 schemes.

Eleven new mutual funds launched in April collectively raised 828 crore, led by index funds, while the SBI CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 3-6 Months Debt Index Fund attracted the highest investor inflows.

West Bengal is bringing back the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This scheme provides cashless health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family each year. All senior citizens aged 70 and above can now apply for this coverage. The government aims to ease the burden of medical expenses for its citizens.

Equity mutual fund inflows declined 5% to Rs 38,440 crore in April, though most equity categories continued to attract investments. Flexicap funds recorded their highest-ever monthly inflow, while smallcap and midcap funds also saw strong traction. Meanwhile, sectoral and thematic fund inflows moderated, reflecting increasing investor selectivity amid volatile market conditions.

Canara Bank has revised its lending rates. The bank increased its Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate by 5 basis points for all loan tenors. These new rates are effective from May 12, 2026. Borrowers with MCLR-linked loans may see higher EMIs. Bank of Baroda has kept its MCLR rates unchanged.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: How to rebalance portfolios in the current environmentbetween equity, debt, gold, and global assetsto manage both risk and return?

Gold prices are high today, May 12, 2026. Major jewelers show rising rates for 22k gold. This follows a call to reduce gold buying for a year to help foreign exchange reserves. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association wants policy changes to use household gold better. They suggest allowing gold lending and borrowing.

Gold Exchange Traded Funds attracted substantial investment in April, with inflows surging by 34 percent. This marks a positive trend for gold ETFs. Conversely, silver ETFs faced continued investor withdrawal for the third consecutive month. Despite these movements, gold prices remained relatively stable. Assets under management for gold ETFs also saw an increase.

The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio stayed above 100% in April for the second straight month, even as investors contributed Rs 31,115 crore. SIP inflows dipped 3% month-on-month, but industry leaders say steady participation, rising folios and robust SIP assets highlight investors growing confidence in long-term, goal-based investing.

Sectoral and thematic mutual fund inflows dropped 28% in April, raising investor caution. Experts suggest this trend reflects investors chasing hot themes and then moving on. While some sectors like defence and manufacturing show continued interest, diversified funds are recommended for long-term stability. SIPs in these funds can be continued with controlled exposure.

Flexi cap mutual funds offer fund managers the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations and sectors, making them suitable for moderate investors seeking long-term wealth creation. With an ideal investment horizon of five to seven years, these schemes allow managers to adapt to market conditions. Investors should carefully select a scheme aligning with their risk appetite.

India's investment landscape is evolving with the introduction of Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs). These funds offer mutual fund-like regulatory discipline and tax efficiency while providing PMS-like flexibility for strategies such as long-short and dynamic exposure. This new structure aims to navigate the opportunities and risks in mid- and small-cap segments.

Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) will now receive a Dearness Allowance (DA) of 60% of their basic Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) starting January 1, 2026. This increase aligns GDS DA rates with those of central government employees. The Department of Posts confirmed this revision following an approval from the Ministry of Finance.

The Chandigarh Consumer Commission ruled that the EPFO cannot use software issues as an excuse for a decade-long delay in transferring an employee's PF funds. Despite the EPFO's claims of technical difficulties, the commission found an inordinate and unexplained delay, amounting to deficiency in service. The EPFO was directed to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation and litigation costs.

Homebuyers facing parking disputes with builders can leverage RERA guidelines and judicial precedents. While RERA may not dictate specific parking sizes or guest allocations, court rulings clarify common area vs. garage distinctions and address issues like pillar encroachment and inadequate aisle width. Transparency in sale agreements and adherence to NBC norms are crucial for resolving these conflicts.

Retail investors channeled 38,440 crore into equity mutual funds in April, a slight dip from March, amid oil price uncertainty. SIP collections also saw a decrease. Despite this, overall assets under management rose significantly due to debt fund inflows and equity market gains.

Railway pensioners and family pensioners will receive a Dearness Relief hike. Their relief will increase from 58% to 60% of their basic pension. This change takes effect from January 1, 2026. This move aims to compensate for rising prices. The increase will boost monthly pensions for millions of retirees across India.

The new labour code (Code on Wages) has given employers an option to conduct four days work week with three days fixed days off for employees. However, note that this is optional and there are certain conditions which employees and employers both need to follow before moving with four days work-week.

Investor appetite shifted towards riskier mutual fund categories in April, with mid- and small-cap funds attracting record inflows and delivering stronger returns, while large-cap funds saw declining inflows amid changing retail investment preferences despite ongoing market volatility and valuation concerns.

Monthly mutual fund SIP inflows declined to Rs 31,115 crore in April compared to a fresh record high of Rs 32,087 crore in March. On a yearly basis, the monthly SIP inflow went up by 18% from Rs 26,400 crore in April 2025.

The total inflows in equity mutual funds declined 5% to Rs 38,440 crore in April.

Abakkus Mutual Fund, led by Sunil Singhania, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing Rs 5,000 crore in assets under management with over 1 lakh unique investors. Launched in December 2025, the fund house attributes its rapid growth to investor confidence, a disciplined research-driven approach, and a focus on building trust and transparency.

A 29-year married Redditt user has shared his story of how, just four years into his job, he not only paid off his education loan but also created a corpus of Rs 50 lakh, starting his investment journey from scratch with no family inheritance.

Quant Small Cap Fund adjusted its holdings in April 2026. The fund exited HDFC Bank, Jio Financial Services, and Aarti Industries among others. New additions included Triveni Tribune, Sai Parenterals, and PTC India. Exposure was trimmed in Adani Power and Aegis Logistics. The fund increased its stake in Black Box, Capacite Infraprojects, and RBL Bank.

For a 5-year fixed deposit, the Post Office TD scheme currently offers a higher interest rate compared to most public sector banks' 6%-6.25%. This translates to a significantly higher maturity amount on a Rs 2 lakh investment, with the Post Office TD potentially yielding nearly Rs 90,000 in returns.

Central government employees are concerned about their NPS retirement corpus due to market fluctuations. The All India NPS Employees Federation has proposed an assured pension of 50% of last-drawn salary plus DA to the 8th Pay Commission, arguing the current model provides inadequate pensions for many, especially those with shorter service or lower pay levels.

Several midcap funds maintained significant cash reserves in March, with Axis Midcap Fund leading at approximately 9.3%. Other funds like the Taurus Mid Cap Fund and the HDFC Mid Cap Fund also held substantial cash, reporting 8.8% and 7.7% respectively. Baroda BNP Paribas and Bank of India Mid Cap Funds rounded out the list with allocations of 7.5% and 6.5%.

At a time when Indian investors are increasingly exploring overseas markets amid strong performance in global equities, fund managers at the Groww India Investor Festival 2026 cautioned against treating international investing as a short-term return-chasing strategy.

The recent notification of the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020 marks a significant shift in Indias wage and social security compliance framework. As the expanded definition of wages increases social security liabilities, many employers may consider restructuring salary structures to manage rising costs. However, section 124 of the Code places an important restriction on such measures by prohibiting employers from reducing employee wages or benefits t

JioBlackRock Mutual Funds Flexi Cap Fund completely exited 17 stocks in April, including AMC companies and Hindustan Aeronautics, while adding 27 new stocks to its portfolio. The fund also increased exposure to several large-cap names and expanded its portfolio size from 107 to 117 stocks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to temporarily reduce gold purchases for one year to ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves and imports. Following his appeal, gold prices saw a slight dip. Today, 22k gold is priced around Rs 13,945 per gram at major retailers, with Tanishq showing a slightly higher rate.

Tata Large Cap Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 5 crore in 28 years. The fund also delivered substantial returns on lump sum investments. Experts highlight its disciplined approach and focus on quality companies.

Meeting annual targets doesn't guarantee job security in the private sector. Labour laws, particularly the Industrial Disputes Act, offer protections for 'workmen' against unfair retrenchment, including the Last In, First Out principle. Managers, however, have weaker protections, with wrongful termination claims often being contractual and focusing on discrimination or policy violations.

Securing a home loan requires careful financial planning. Understanding eligibility criteria, using an EMI calculator, and checking your credit score are crucial steps. Evaluating loan charges and strengthening your profile can lead to a more favorable borrowing experience and a sustainable homeownership journey.

The Supreme Court quashed FIRs against a husband's in-laws and sister in a dowry harassment case. While the wife alleged they were aware of his second marriage, the court found no evidence of their active participation. The case against the husband, however, proceeds due to specific allegations of torture and dowry demands.

When a friend or a relative asks you for a personal loan, always seek time. There is no need to feel pressurised to respond immediately. Sometimes, just saying that you will think about it is enough for the other to back off. They may feel hesitant to follow up, or seek others.

Since both serve specific purposes and needs, pick the one that suits your travel itinerary and circumstances

A Bombay High Court ruling favored policyholders, stating insurers cannot reject claims solely for delayed document submission beyond the 90-day deadline. The court invoked Section 28 of the Contract Act, deeming such clauses void. This judgment emphasizes that genuine claims should be assessed on merits, not technical procedural delays, aligning with IRDAI's fair claims philosophy.

One of the industrys most recognisable voices on investing, Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, has helped shape both her fund house and the broader industry conversations around investing. In this conversation with Sanket Dhanorkar, she talks about why she prefers simple investment solutions.

To maximise gains from an anticipated infrastructure development, the most crucial point to keep in mind while investing early is that pricing often runs ahead of liveability. Unlike the ecosystem of social infrastructure like schools and hospitals, retail catches up and end-user demand remains cautious.

Global oil markets have shifted dramatically. Geopolitical tensions have caused a surge in Brent crude prices. Supply disruptions are a major concern. High oil prices are impacting demand. Upstream companies benefit, while downstream oil marketing companies face margin pressure. Natural gas recovery is expected to be slower.