The Economic Times

The Ministry of Railways has revised kilometrage allowance and Allowance in Lieu of Kilometrage (ALK) effective January 1, 2024. This revision, triggered by Dearness Allowance reaching 50%, offers relief to running staff ahead of the 8th Central Pay Commission. The update addresses long-standing demands from railway federations, with all other terms and conditions remaining unchanged.

Mid and smallcap funds saw significant AUM growth over five years, with CAGRs of 32.41% and 39.93% respectively. However, geopolitical tensions and foreign fund outflows may impact their near-term performance, prompting investors to adopt a cautious stance amid market volatility.

Gold price today (23 March 2026): Gold and silver prices have plummeted, offering a significant buying opportunity for jewellery shoppers. This sharp decline, attributed to a strengthening US dollar amidst geopolitical fears, has seen substantial drops in bullion rates. Global gold prediction trends remain volatile.

Investors using SWP from mutual funds are taxed only on capital gains, not the full withdrawal amount. Experts suggest structuring withdrawals to keep annual LTCG within Rs 1.25 lakh to avoid tax. Understanding lock-in periods and fund structure is crucial, especially in equity-oriented childrens mutual funds.

A 38-year-old investor aiming for a Rs 3 crore corpus over 15 years received expert advice to bolster his SIP strategy. The recommendation includes adding a low-cost Nifty 50 index fund for a stable large-cap foundation, while continuing with existing flexi-cap, midcap, and small-cap funds, emphasizing patience for underperforming schemes.

India's Income Tax Act, 1961, is set to be replaced by the Income Tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026. To ease this transition, the Income Tax Department has launched an online tool. This utility allows taxpayers to compare provisions side-by-side, mapping old sections to new ones. It simplifies understanding changes in tax laws and aids informed decision-making.

Indias health insurance journeys are increasingly phygital: customers research and apply online, but still rely on human advisors at critical decision and claim moments. We trace how tech-enabled advisors, especially outside metros, use digital tools and local support to bridge the access gap in an age where their digital skills now matter as much as their product knowledge.

Top NPS equity funds have delivered strong performance, offering up to ~16% returns over the past three years, highlighting their growing appeal for long-term investors.

Joint bank Fixed Deposit accounts often have an 'either or survivor' clause. This allows the surviving holder to access funds after the other's death. However, this access does not grant legal ownership. Ownership is determined by succession laws and Wills, not just the operational mandate. This differs from bank lockers where ownership is even less clear.

A private trust received shares worth Rs 15.78 crore from its creator for family benefit. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled this transfer tax-exempt. The tribunal considered a supplemental deed that clarified beneficiaries were exclusively relatives. This decision reinforces tax exemptions for family trusts and clarifies treatment of advance tax deposits.

Precious metal ETFs saw sharp declines on Monday. Silver ETFs dropped up to 20%, while gold ETFs fell as much as 9%. This downturn was driven by Middle East tensions and inflation fears. Experts advise against panic selling, recommending continued SIPs to buy at lower prices. Investors can consider tactical top-ups in diversified funds.

Conservative hybrid mutual funds are similar to erstwhile monthly income plans or MIPs. MIPs were extremely popular at one point. They used to invest a small part of their portfolio in stocks. But their USP, as the name suggests, was regular income in the form of dividends. However, regular dividends stopped when the market got into a bad phase. That was the end of MIPs. The lesson: do not bank on hybrid funds to secure a regular income.

As the new financial year begins, experts advise new investors to start SIPs with a blend of large-cap and flexi-cap mutual funds. Gold is recommended for hedging against global uncertainties, while silver is advised against due to current valuations. Investors should maintain disciplined SIPs, avoid pausing during volatility, and consider stepping up investments annually for long-term wealth creation.

Overall, the new Codes signify a shift toward a more structured, transparent, and streamlined regulatory ecosystem. While strengthening worker protection and enhancing governance clarity, they also heighten compliance obligations and cost considerations for employers.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 95th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains the difference between the different investor categories.

Indian taxpayers will transition to the new Income Tax Act, 2025, from April 1st. While the new regime offers lower rates, revised allowance exemptions under the old regime, particularly for HRA, may make it more attractive for some. Taxpayers must now recalculate to determine their optimal tax strategy.

For best results, its best not to get swayed by any one asset class. Experts recommend diversification. While asset allocation is the way to go, whats the best combination? Every investor has their own asset allocation. This week, we compare seven portfolio combinations. Portfolios with gold have delivered a notable returns boost in recent years, while those with zero gold exposure have lagged. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Global uncertainties are making Non-Resident Indians rethink their investments. Many are now considering moving wealth back to India, seeing it as a stable, high-growth destination. This reassessment involves strategic choices about asset allocation, balancing domestic and international holdings. The decision hinges on individual goals and future plans, with experts advising a diversified approach.

New investment funds, Specialised Investment Funds or SIFs, are undergoing a crucial test. Launched last year, these funds offer flexible strategies. They can profit from both rising and falling markets. Current market volatility is a key indicator of their performance. Experts are watching closely to see if SIFs deliver on their promise of risk-adjusted returns.

As with any geopolitical conflict, the element of surprise caught everyone off guard, but the first to get back home were the people with balances in their mileage accounts. They booked tickets on other carriers using their balances as a backup in case their original flights routing through West Asia were not operating.

The H-1B program now operates within a highdemand environment, where the desire for the visa consistently outpaces the annual statutory caps. For students graduating into this ecosystem, the transition to long-term residency is increasingly defined by statistical variables and administrative timelines.

Indian students abroad face unexpected travel disruptions. University insurance primarily covers medical needs. However, Indian student travel policies provide essential financial protection for issues like study interruptions, lost baggage, and passport loss. These policies act as a vital supplement, offering comprehensive coverage for academic, emotional, and legal risks. They are a smart investment for students navigating unfamiliar environments.

Indian students are increasingly seeking study abroad options beyond the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. New visa policies and rising expenses in these popular destinations are driving this shift. European nations like Germany and the Netherlands, along with countries in Southeast Asia, are emerging as attractive alternatives.

Indian students are increasingly returning home after studying abroad. Visa policies in countries like the US and UK have become uncertain. Rising living costs and fewer job prospects are major concerns. Many students are now reconsidering their overseas education plans, opting for shorter courses or exploring alternative destinations.

Arbitrage funds, once a popular choice for idle cash, are seeing reduced investor interest. Inflows have significantly dropped. Rising costs, including higher transaction charges, and new regulations requiring investment in short-term government bonds are impacting returns. This shift is dimming the appeal of these funds for investors.

Several non-life insurers have suspended the issuance of new travel insurance for travellers planning to visit countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has launched its Large Cap Fund, opening for subscription on March 24 and closing on April 7. The fund aims for long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in large-cap equities, benchmarked against the BSE 100 Index. It offers a direct plan with a growth option and a minimum investment of Rs 500.

Amidst global uncertainties, fixed deposits offer stable returns. Small finance banks lead with rates up to 8.50%, while private banks like SBM Bank India offer 8.35%. Public sector banks provide competitive rates, with Punjab & Sind Bank at 7.25% for specific tenures.

Six new passive mutual fund NFOs have opened for subscription, offering investors fresh low-cost index-based investment options.

Bank locker charges: HDFC Bank has increased its locker charges effective April 1, 2026. The article compares these new charges with those of ICICI Bank, SBI, Canara Bank, and Axis Bank across various locker sizes and locations.

Silver has emerged as the top-performing asset class over the past decade, outperforming gold, equities and bonds. While mid- and small-cap stocks delivered strong returns, precious metals led the chart. Fixed-income and real estate lagged, highlighting the importance of asset allocation for long-term wealth creation across market cycles.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and market volatility, investors are reassessing sectoral allocations. Mutual fund experts suggest focusing on domestic cyclicals, financials, and defensives like pharma, while remaining cautious on IT, metals, and oil and gas. They also highlight valuation risks and stress the importance of resilient businesses in uncertain conditions.

Several mutual funds have delivered strong returns over the past three years, with some posting CAGRs of up to 25%. The list includes a mix of flexi cap, focused, and passive funds. However, category inconsistencies raise questions, even as investors look at performance-driven fund selection.

Metal stocks have plunged recently due to geopolitical tensions and hawkish Fed commentary. However, experts anticipate a near-term surge in metal prices, driven by the Iran-US conflict and rising oil costs. Supply disruptions in the Middle East are particularly impacting steel and aluminum markets, with potential implications for Indian producers.

New Labour Law Salary Structure: Effective November 21, 2025, redefine wages, impacting overtime, gratuity, and retirement benefits. The Code on Wages clarifies that overtime allowance is part of the 50% wage calculation, while statutory contributions and gratuity are excluded.

A 37-year-old investor seeks guidance on structuring her mutual fund portfolio for her childrens education. Expert Harshvardhan Roongta recommends rebalancing allocations by reducing small-cap exposure and strengthening large- and mid-cap holdings. The advice focuses on disciplined investing, clear fund categorisation, and maintaining a balanced portfolio aligned with long-term financial goals.

Indian markets witnessed a broad-based sell-off amid escalating Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Several stocks, including IDBI Bank and SpiceJet, declined sharply during the week. Geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and regulatory developments weighed on investor sentiment, dragging multiple sectors lower despite selective resilience in parts of the market.

Starting investments early offers a significant advantage, as demonstrated by a chartered accountant's comparison. Investing Rs 12,000 monthly at age 26 yielded Rs 3.68 crore, while a higher Rs 22,000 monthly SIP starting 10 years later resulted in only Rs 1.98 crore, highlighting the power of compounding over time.

A new diesel car owner won Rs 4 lakh compensation after his vehicle developed persistent electrical and battery issues within four months of purchase. Despite multiple service center visits and part replacements, the problems recurred. The consumer commission ruled that repeated starting issues within the warranty period constituted a deficiency in service, causing significant harassment.

Banks across many Indian states are closed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the observance of Ramzan-Id (Id-Ul-Fitr). Despite it being the third Saturday of the month, when banks are typically open, widespread closures occurred due to the religious celebrations.

Beware of fake investment schemes promising huge monthly returns. Fraudsters are using misleading websites and AI-generated content, falsely associating Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with these scams.

Several major fund houses are holding substantial cash reserves, with SBI Mutual Fund leading with over Rs 34,000 crore. PPFAS Mutual Fund also stands out with a significant 21.19% of its assets in cash. This trend highlights a cautious approach by some of India's largest asset managers, with over Rs 13,000 crore held by just six entities in February.