The Economic Times

Non-Resident Indians can now purchase US dollar-denominated term insurance plans in India. These plans are available through Policybazaar's partner insurers at GIFT City. Premiums and claim payouts will be processed in US dollars, addressing currency depreciation risks. This initiative allows global Indians to access internationally aligned financial products within India.

Homebuyer wins full Rs 18 lakh refund in Mumbai: While the developer issued an allotment letter dated August 16, 2010, it failed to provide possession to the buyer. In view of the delay, the homebuyer had approached Maharashtra RERA seeking relief. The authority had on April 24, 2025, ordered the relief of possession to the homebuyer. He again filed a review seeking refund of the amount.

Rising education costs necessitate early financial planning for parents. Disciplined investing and compounding can build a substantial education corpus. A bachelor's degree costing Rs 10 lakh today could exceed Rs 40 lakh annually in 18 years. Starting investments early significantly reduces monthly contribution requirements. Strategic shifts to debt investments mitigate market risks before college.

ITR filing: Paytm users can now file Income Tax Returns directly through the app. This service is available starting at an affordable price of eleven rupees. The company partnered with ClearTax to offer a quicker online filing process.

Five equity mutual funds have delivered annualised SIP returns of up to 24.4% over the past 10 years, according to ET Wealth. The list is dominated by small-cap and mid-cap funds, highlighting their strong long-term wealth creation potential despite higher market volatility.

Increasing your mutual fund SIP contribution every year can significantly accelerate wealth creation. For a Rs 1 crore target with a Rs 20,000 monthly SIP at 10% return, a 10% annual step-up cuts the timeline by nearly four years, leveraging the dual power of higher savings and compounding.

Indian taxpayers can claim capital gains tax exemptions by reinvesting sale proceeds. Section 54 and 54F allow exemptions for residential property sales and other assets. Specific timelines and conditions must be met for claiming these tax benefits. Unutilised amounts must be deposited in the Capital Gains Account Scheme. Reporting these exemptions is crucial in the Income Tax Return schedules.

High Courts are questioning GST notice validity when only uploaded online. Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled portal uploads are not valid service. Other High Courts also quashed notices due to improper tab placement. Taxpayers must now regularly check the GST portal for any notices. The Supreme Court may soon provide a definitive ruling on this matter.

Smallcap stocks have emerged as the best-performing asset class in 2026 so far, rebounding sharply after a correction in late 2025 and early 2026. ET Wealth examines the factors driving the rally and compares the performance of other major asset classes, including gold, silver, debt, midcaps and largecaps.

Rs 17.41 lakh penalty imposed due to error in ITR filed by junior staff in CA firm; Here's how affidavit from the CA firm's owner helps taxpayer get relief from penalty in ITAT Mumbai. Know how taxpayer won case in ITAT Mumbai

ITR filing deadline: The July 31 income tax return deadline approaches with many taxpayers yet to file. Experts are divided on whether the government will extend the filing deadline. Some believe the portal is functioning smoothly and an extension is unlikely. Others suggest a short extension might be granted if glitches persist. Taxpayers are advised to file their returns before the July 31 deadline.

The Employees Provident Fund offers retirement security and employer contributions. Mutual funds are voluntary investments with market-linked returns and potential capital gains tax. EPF provides additional benefits like pension and life insurance coverage. Mutual fund beneficiaries receive only the investment value upon death.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund's upcoming REIT-oriented index fund has sparked investor interest as India's first such passive offering. Explaining why the scheme excludes InvITs, MD & CEO Radhika Gupta said current SEBI regulations do not allow passive funds to combine equity-classified REITs with hybrid-classified InvITs.

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw an increase on Monday, July 27, 2026, across major cities. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association provided indicative rates for various gold purities. Consumers should check current rates before purchasing gold jewellery.

Nippon Life India Asset Management has become the first mutual fund house in India to cross 4 crore investor folios. Reaching 40.2 million folios as of June 30, 2026, the AMC holds a dominant 39% share of the country's unique investor base, driven by deep retail penetration beyond metros.

Pharma mutual funds are leading returns in CY2026, driven by strong earnings, defensive demand, and US export growth. Despite recent outperformance, experts advise against heavy sectoral bets, recommending a 5% to 10% satellite allocation via SIPs while navigating potential long-term US tariff developments.

Indian investors now have no options for new international mutual fund SIPs. The Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund suspended new investments on July 23. This action follows SEBI's overseas investment limits for mutual funds. Investors are exploring alternatives like LRS and GIFT City for global exposure. Global ETFs also offer a way to gain international diversification.

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission will hold stakeholder meetings in Chennai on September 7 and 8. Discussions in Puducherry are scheduled for September 9, with appointments closing August 18. Central government employee associations in Delhi met on August 7 and 10. The commission is gathering suggestions on pay, pension, and work conditions. Its final report is due in November 2025 after extensive consultations.

Sebi proposes a new Mutual Fund-only Portfolio Management Services category. This new category will invest exclusively in direct plans of mutual funds. The regulator is lowering entry thresholds and permitting global diversification for investors. This move aims to increase transparency and promote a fee-based wealth management model. Affluent retail investors may gain access to products previously for high networth individuals.

Gold and silver prices have significantly declined after reaching peaks earlier this year. This correction follows a period of strong gains driven by geopolitical risks and momentum. Experts suggest the current pullback is a normalisation after excesses and not a long-term trend reversal. Long-term fundamentals for gold and silver remain intact, supported by central bank buying and consumer demand.

Digital nomad visas now offer professionals a new route for global mobility. These permits allow individuals to live abroad while working remotely for foreign employers. Remote work acceptance after the pandemic fuels the rise of these attractive new visas. Spain and Portugal are top destinations for Indians seeking this lifestyle. Careful tax planning and understanding local rules are crucial for applicants.

Banks increasingly reward engagement rather than ownership. Issuers want your premium card to become your preferred spending instrument, as it determines whether they earn interchange income, interest or merchant partnerships. Thats one reason why targeted offers, bonus reward campaigns and accelerated earning opportunities exist throughout the year.

Taxpayers must file income tax returns by the July 31 deadline to avoid penalties. Accuracy is paramount, and mismatches in the Annual Information Statement require careful reconciliation. Foreign asset disclosures and F&O reporting errors can lead to significant tax complications. Understanding deemed residency rules is crucial for Non-Resident Indians filing their returns. Late filing incurs fees and restricts tax regime options and loss carry-forwards.

A recent Supreme Court ruling bolsters landlord positions in eviction disputes across India. This decision clarifies ownership proof requirements in eviction suits, aiding property owners. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021, aims to balance tenant and landlord rights effectively. Clear rent agreements are crucial for minimising disputes and ensuring transparency. Both tenants and landlords must understand their rights and responsibilities under current laws.

India's securities regulator is proposing major changes to portfolio management services. A new category will lower the minimum investment to Rs. 25 lakh. This move aims to make professional management accessible to more investors. The proposals also allow for wider investment in foreign and unlisted securities. These changes could reshape the investment landscape for many individuals.

Financial mistakes are often measured by lost rupees, not lost time. Compounding benefits are significantly impacted by delays and interruptions in investments. Pausing systematic investment plans can push financial goals further into the future. Withdrawals from investments also reduce capital available for compounding over time. Increasing SIP contributions can help investors recover lost time and build wealth.

According to a recent study by ManipalCigna Health Insurance, while only 1% describe their overall health as poor, as many as 82% claim they are stressed. 82% Indians have high stress, with 13% describing it as unmanageable and 69% describing stress as manageable. Moreover, 1 in 3 doesnt want to buy a health plan.

Being rich does not automatically make you a better investor. It just means that you get sold to differently. And it makes you more vulnerable and a better target! The system is often designed to sell what brings the most commission, not what suits the client. And often, higher commissions are used to sell the comparatively worst and unsuitable products.

Welcome to TrendMap, your quick guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. The annual returns are ranked across multiple asset classes, including equity, debt, and precious metals. This map shows that no single asset class reigns supreme. Hence, diversification helps. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

The RBI is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its 5 August policy meeting, making it one of the few central banks in the region that has not changed policy in response to the Middle East conflict. Governor Sanjay Malhotra has indicated that the policy rate is likely to remain at 5.25%, unless price pressures become broader.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 112th part of this series, Riju Mehta lists some of the popular government schemes for the lower income groups.

Not many investors know whether they have invested in the right funds and if their fund portfolio is on track. The Portfolio Doctor assesses the health of the fund portfolio, examines the schemes and their suitability with regard to the goals and, if required, recommends corrective measures. The advice given is based on the performance of the funds, the risk profile of the investor as well as his financial goals.

Systematic investment plans build wealth, but returns differ across mutual fund types. Sectoral funds, particularly pharma and healthcare, showed superior recent performance. Diversified funds like flexi caps offered moderate and stable long-term returns. An analysis covered 546 equity mutual funds and their market cycle performance. This data highlights varied outcomes based on fund category selection.

Five new mutual fund NFOs, primarily passive in nature, will open for subscription this week. The lineup includes four ETFs and one fund of funds across midcap, banking and dividend themes. Invesco, SBI, DSP and Edelweiss are launching these schemes, with minimum investment starting at Rs 5,000.

Equity mutual funds delivered up to 7% returns in the week of July 20 to July 24, led by international funds. Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund topped the chart, followed by global and commodity-focused funds. Most schemes posted moderate gains, while a few saw marginal declines, according to ACE MF data.

Small cap mutual funds have delivered strong three-year returns, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund at over 27%. Other funds such as ITI, Invesco India and Bank of India Small Cap also posted healthy gains. Investors with a three-year horizon may consider these funds based on performance, AUM and expense ratios.

Old father evicts youngest son from his ancestral village home as son tortured and humiliated him, wins case on this ground in Orissa High Court. The Orissa High Court said that the primary object of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, is to give social justice to parents and senior citizens.

An Employees Provident Fund subscriber could accumulate over Rs 1.12 crore in 30 years. This significant corpus is projected with a Rs 25,000 monthly salary and an 8.25% interest rate. The total contributions amount to Rs 33.26 lakh, while interest earned reaches Rs 78.49 lakh. Compounding interest plays a crucial role in this substantial wealth accumulation over time.

Old Bridge, ITI, Navi, Samco, and Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Funds held the highest mid and smallcap exposure in June 2026, reflecting aggressive positioning toward higher-risk, growth-oriented segments.

Builder ordered by TGRERA to relay terrace flooring and execute comprehensive waterproof treatment to ensure a permanent solution to resolve the water seepage issues in new apartment. In this case the homebuyer found water leakages and seepage issues weeks after buying flat. Read the article to know the details of the case and how the homebuyer won.

HSBC Midcap, Invesco India Mid Cap, ICICI Prudential Midcap, WhiteOak Capital Mid Cap, and Edelweiss Mid Cap led midcap mutual fund returns over three years, delivering gains of up to 25.2%.

Supreme Court sets aside employee dismissal over bias allegations which he later on withdrew; Court says withdrawal of allegations doesn't erase apprehension, orders fresh probe. Know what happened with this employee and what the Supreme Court said about his dismissal.

SEBI and AMFI have streamlined mutual fund transmission rules, simplifying claim procedures for nominees, joint holders, and legal heirs through standardized documentation, reducing delays and easing access to investments after an investor's death.

Gold rate today: Gold prices showed a marginal increase at select Indian jewellery brands today. Tanishq maintained Friday's 22-carat gold rate per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas saw a slight rise in their 22-carat gold prices. Kalyan Jewellers had not yet updated its 22-carat gold rates. IBJA rates for various gold purities and silver were also provided.