The Economic Times

National Savings Certificate interest rate: The National Savings Certificate offers an attractive interest rate for the April-June 2026 quarter. This government-backed scheme provides a fixed income option for small investors.

Bank holiday today: Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for today, April 23, 2026, in Tamil Nadu, leading to a public holiday for all businesses. The results for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 are slated for announcement on May 4, 2026.

Uttar Pradesh RERA has capped processing fees for flat transfers, offering significant relief to homeowners. Builders can now charge a maximum of Rs 1,000 for transfers to family members, including inheritance cases. For non-family transfers, the cap is set at Rs 25,000, ensuring fair practices.

Atal Pension Yojana has reached a historic milestone with over 9 crore subscribers. Financial year 2025-26 saw the highest enrolments since its 2015 launch. APY offers a guaranteed monthly pension of up to Rs 5,000 after age 60. It also provides benefits to the spouse and returns the corpus to nominees. The scheme aims for universal social security.

Several new funds, including defence index and long-short strategies, are open for subscription. Investors should select options aligned with risk tolerance, goals, and horizon, avoiding herd-driven investment decisions.

Teh funds have been selected based on mean rolling returns, consistency in the last three years, downside risk, outperformance, asset size

Gold prices on leading jewellery brands such as Joyalukkas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq dropped today (Wednesday, April 22, 2026). Indicative prices of gold and silver at IBJA were also lower compared to a day ago.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is implementing mandatory two-factor authentication for specific transactions. Starting April 22, 2026, customers will need to use OTP or MPIN for government, statutory, payment gateway, and other merchant payments. This security enhancement aims to protect tax transactions. Customers are advised to keep their contact details updated for a smooth experience.

The Supreme Court ruled a husband is not obligated to pay child maintenance if a DNA test confirms he is not the biological father, even if the child was born during the marriage. This decision dismissed a wife's appeal for maintenance after DNA results established non-paternity, upholding the trial court and High Court's denial.

Multi-asset allocation funds diversify investments across equity, debt, and commodities, offering balanced risk and returns. They suit beginners and long-term investors seeking stable, moderate growth without actively managing portfolios.

Gold prices in Chennai are showing slight fluctuations. Buyers and investors are watching daily changes closely. Fine gold, 22 carat, 20 carat, 18 carat, and 14 carat gold rates are updated. Leading jewellers in Chennai are quoting similar prices for different gold purities. Tanishq and Kalyan Jewellers also report price changes across major Indian cities.

Central government employee bodies, including NC-JCM and AIDEF, are facing technical issues while submitting memorandums for the 8th Pay Commission, prompting requests for a deadline extension to May 31, 2026. The 8th Pay Commission, however, is currently sticking to its April 30 deadline, despite reported website glitches.

Top multicap funds, including Nippon India Mutual Fund, Groww, and DSP Mutual Fund, held over 50% in midcaps and smallcaps, highlighting higher risk exposure and growth-oriented portfolio positioning.

Around eight equity mutual funds more than doubled lump-sum investments, multiplying them over 2.72 times in the last five years, an ETMutualFunds analysis showed. Of 207 schemes analysed, four were small-cap funds, three mid-cap, and one multi-cap. Nippon India Mutual Fund led with three schemes, while others included Quant, Motilal Oswal, Bandhan, Invesco, and HDFC Mutual Fund.

Not having a nominee in mutual funds or demat accounts doesnt mean your investments are lostbut it can make access difficult for your family. In the absence of a nominee, legal heirs must navigate a detailed transmission process involving documentation, legal proof, and, in some cases, court procedures.

Bengaluru's real estate market is set for a significant boom. Property prices in key areas are projected to climb by up to 40% in the next two years. This surge is directly linked to the ongoing expansion of the Bengaluru Metro network. New lines like the Yellow and Pink lines are set to dramatically improve connectivity.

The Reserve Bank of India introduces a new e-mandate framework for digital payments effective 2026. As per new rules, all recurring transactions will now be authorised without Additional Factor Authentication (AFA) up to Rs 15,000 per transaction. Customers can also make recurring payments like insurance premiums and mutual fund subscriptions up to Rs 1 lakh without additional authentication.

A 42-year-old Mumbai investor sought guidance on building a Rs 10 crore retirement corpus in 20 years. Expert Shivam Pathak reviewed his SIP-heavy portfolio and advised reducing smallcap concentration, shifting part of it from Quant Small Cap Fund to largecaps, and rebalancing underperforming schemes to improve long-term outcomes.

Regular shoppers can significantly boost savings with the right credit card, earning cashback, reward points, and discounts on various platforms. Cards like Flipkart Axis Bank, IDFC First SWYP, SBI Simply Click, Tata NEU Plus HDFC, and Amazon Pay ICICI offer attractive features tailored to spending habits, helping users maximize rewards and reduce costs.

Mutual fund advisors are predicting 2026 as the year for hybrid funds, especially for new investors navigating economic uncertainties. Conservative hybrid funds, with a majority allocation to debt and a smaller portion to equity, offer a cautious entry. These funds aim to provide modest equity exposure for potentially higher returns, while managing risk effectively.

Personal loan interest rates 2026: Personal loans offer flexible terms and minimal documentation, with interest rates varying by income. Understanding lender pricing, including public and private banks, is crucial for informed borrowing.

A Mumbai employee acquitted of bribery charges was denied full back wages for his suspension period. The Bombay High Court ruled that acquittal in a criminal case doesn't automatically entitle an employee to full pay, especially when the suspension stemmed from their alleged involvement in criminal proceedings.

Financial planners say there are two broad approaches. One is valuation-based, where investors redeem or book profits when markets appear expensive and then use or redeploy the proceeds. The other is to set up a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP), which allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount at regular intervals, typically on a pre-defined date each month. To meet this payout, the fund house redeems the required number of units based on the prevailing NAV, while the remaining corpus continues

Chennai Metro Rail Corporation is phasing out its CMRL travel card. Commuters must transition to the Singara Chennai Card, a National Common Mobility Card. This change aims for seamless travel across India's public transport. Remaining balances on CMRL cards can be transferred to the new card or a QR Stored Value Pass.

Eight equity mutual funds delivered over 170% absolute returns over the past five years, led by mid-cap and small-cap categories. Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund topped the list, followed by Bandhan and Nippon India schemes. Most other funds generated comparatively lower returns, highlighting strong outperformance by select high-growth equity strategies.

A 38-year-old investor with a 20-year horizon is considering a Rs 30 lakh lump sum investment alongside her existing SIPs. Financial expert Harshvardhan Roongta advises careful evaluation of market conditions and risk appetite before deploying the lump sum, suggesting either equity or hybrid fund strategies for wealth creation.

Leading jewellery retailers across the city quoted nearly identical rates for 24k, 22k, and 18k gold. As per the latest trends, the price of 24 karat gold was over Rs 15,500 per gram while 22 karat gold was largely priced between Rs 14,230 to Rs 14,300 per gram.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 38, a salaried professional earning Rs 22 lakh annually. My family includes a spouse and a 5-year-old child. I currently have a Rs 75 lakh term insurance policy and a Rs 10 lakh family floater health cover. Is my term cover adequate, or should it be increased considering inflation and long-term goals such as childs education? I want to ensure my coverage is adequate but not excessive.

Gold prices held steady on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Investors are watching for potential peace talks between the United States and Iran. Geopolitical tensions and inflation fears are influencing the precious metals market. Consumers can check gold rates at leading brands like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Pensioner groups Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS) and NCCPA have raised concerns with the 8th Pay Commission regarding its memorandum submission portal. BPS highlighted technical glitches and requested alternative submission methods and an extended deadline, while NCCPA seeks more sub-questions to address diverse issues comprehensively.

Indian Railways has permitted Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) holding valid UDID cards to travel in unreserved Divyangjan coaches on mail/express trains. This facility allows PwDs to be treated as bona fide passengers in designated compartments. Strict action will be taken against unauthorized travelers in these coaches.

Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund, the top-performing mutual fund of FY26 with over 171% returns, has temporarily halted fresh subscriptions. This move aims to prevent breaching overseas investment limits. The fund house also suspended subscriptions for Nippon India Japan Equity Fund for similar reasons.

Launched in May 2013, the fund has delivered around 25% returns over the last three years on a rolling basis.

GSTN has launched a new offline Excel utility for its Invoice Management System (IMS), aiming to boost accuracy in Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims. This tool allows taxpayers to process and upload IMS data offline, enabling bulk actions like accepting or rejecting invoices. Experts believe this will simplify compliance and encourage wider adoption of the IMS.

Small-cap mutual funds have surged, delivering double-digit returns in the past month, outperforming mid and large caps. Experts caution this is a sharp recovery post-correction, not a sustained rally, with high valuations and investor greed posing risks. Long-term investors with a high-risk appetite might consider SIPs, but large caps currently offer better risk-reward.

Navigating income tax deadlines for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is crucial to avoid penalties. The Income Tax Department has set specific due dates based on taxpayer categories, with options for belated, revised, and updated returns to ensure compliance and correct any oversights.

Indian students on F1 US education visas face strict work limitations. Off-campus jobs in gas stations, restaurants, or retail are generally illegal unless directly tied to their field of study through CPT or OPT. On-campus work is permitted up to 20 hours weekly. Unauthorized employment risks visa revocation.

The GST Network has apologised for technical difficulties hindering GSTR-3B filings for the March 2026 tax period. Many chartered accountants reported portal issues, leading the government to consider a one-day extension for the April 20th deadline to April 21st. Taxpayers faced payment reflection delays and potential late fees and interest due to these persistent glitches.