The Economic Times

PPFAS Mutual Fund introduced the Rs 250 choti SIP facility across five schemes to encourage first-time investors and improve financial inclusion. The initiative allows eligible investors to start monthly SIPs with low-ticket investments under specific conditions prescribed by SEBI and AMFI.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has permitted Smt Nagamma to operate her husband's bank account. Her husband is in a persistent vegetative state and requires ongoing medical care. The court recognized the wife as the natural guardian, citing the ancient Indian concept of 'Ardhangini'. This decision will help fund his treatment and household expenses. The court mandated regular account updates.

Financial experts advise first-time SIP investors to focus on diversified equity mutual funds for long-term goals, avoid panic during volatility, limit exposure to sectoral funds, and rely on professional fund managers for balanced asset allocation and disciplined wealth creation over time.

A bus employee died after falling from the bus roof where he slept due to a lack of rest room facilities at Ghodasar bus station. The Gujarat High Court upheld a compensation award of Rs 6.52 lakh with interest and penalty, applying the principle of notional extension of employment.

Senior citizens can secure fixed deposit interest rates up to 8 percent for a three-year investment. Several small finance banks are offering this attractive rate for deposits up to Rs 3 crore. Investors should be aware of TDS rules and the option to submit Form 15H to avoid deductions if their total income is below taxable limits.

Executing a Will in India is often more complex than believed, involving numerous institutions and documentation hurdles. Nominees do not automatically become owners, and digital assets present new challenges. While probate is now voluntary, it remains advisable for dispute prevention, and meticulous documentation is crucial to avoid lengthy delays in asset transfer.

Gold prices saw a slight fluctuation this week. 22k gold rates at Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds are provided for May 22, 2026. IBJA data shows a marginal increase in gold prices from May 18 to May 22, 2026. Silver prices, however, declined significantly during the same period.

New Income Tax Rules, 2026 have relaxed PAN quoting for several transactions, including cash deposits and debit card applications. However, PAN is now mandatory for certain property transactions and annual cash withdrawals exceeding Rs 10 lakh. Form 97 replaces Form 60 for declarations without PAN.

India today is a more than four-trillion-dollar economy with stronger external reserves, wider energy relationships, greater diplomatic reach and a far more diversified economic structure than in earlier decades. Higher oil prices may affect inflation, current account balances and near-term sentiment, but they are unlikely to derail the broader growth trajectory of the country.

Bank holiday today: Planning a bank visit today, May 23, 2026? First check whether banks are open in their city, as closures may vary depending on the weekly holiday schedule and state-specific holidays.

SBI customers are advised to utilize digital services like ATMs, CSPs, and the Yono app as the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation plans a two-day strike on May 25-26, 2026. The strike stems from concerns over outsourcing policies, armed guard shortages, and issues with the National Pension System.

Bengaluru's Greater Authority is hosting an e-Khata open house on May 23, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM across various locations including Whitefield and Koramangala. This event, part of the Bhoo Guarantee-6th Guarantee scheme, aims to resolve citizen issues and provide on-the-spot assistance for Khata-related services.

With the utilities for ITR filing for AY 202627 being available now, many taxpayers are planning to file their returns early. However, incomplete AIS data, pending TDS filings, and delayed financial reporting may lead to mismatches, notices, and revised returns. Taxpayers should prioritise accurate reconciliation and complete reporting over speed in tax compliance.

Gurugram Deputy Commissioner has issued a stern warning to government employees. Attempts to influence transfers and postings through public representatives or senior officers are prohibited. Such actions violate conduct rules and will lead to disciplinary action. Employees must use official channels for all service-related matters. This directive aims to uphold administrative discipline and fairness.

Most people do not underinvest because they are unaware of the reality or are careless. They underinvest because nobody showed them the future cost of their own goals & without these answers, an SIP remains a habit with hope attached to it.

Compounding and discounting are key personal finance concepts that help investors understand wealth creation and the present value of future money. The article explains the Rules of 72, 114, 144 and 70, highlighting how investments grow over time, how inflation erodes purchasing power, and why time value plays a critical role in financial planning.

Gold prices experienced a slight dip across major jewellery brands on Friday, May 22, 2026. The IBJA also reported a marginal fall in gold prices for various purities. However, the IBJA noted an increase in the price of 999 purity silver.

Over 62,000 defence civilian employees are hopeful of retaining their central government employee status following a cabinet secretary's assurance. This status offers job protection, better benefits, and pay revisions, including those from the 8th Pay Commission, compared to PSU employment. The government had previously assured this in court but a formal notification is awaited.

India-focused offshore funds and ETFs underperformed the MSCI India USD Index over the past year, with mid and smallcap exposure dragging returns lower. Several funds posted losses exceeding 20% amid market volatility.

National Pension System subscribers will soon experience quicker grievance resolution. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority is proposing significant cuts to complaint handling times.

Top-performing smallcap funds delivering strong returns amid sustained market momentum.

Investors are now looking beyond trading digital assets. New savings products allow users to earn returns on crypto holdings that would otherwise sit idle. These offerings cater to long-term holders and stablecoin users seeking better portfolio efficiency. Platforms like CoinEx provide flexible and fixed-term options.

DSP Mutual Fund has urged investors to allocate towards rupee-denominated assets despite concerns over crude oil prices, currency weakness and foreign outflows. The fund house cited undervalued REER levels, narrowing India-US inflation differentials, resilient external sector buffers, attractive largecap valuations and cyclical forex trends as key reasons favouring Indian equities and bonds.

New central government labour code rules offer a creche allowance of at least Rs 500 per month per child for two children. This benefit applies to employees with children under six years old if their company does not provide a creche facility. The allowance is taxable. These rules are effective from May 8, 2026, and apply to specific establishments.

Choosing the right workmen's compensation policy is crucial for protecting your employees and business. It involves understanding your specific risks, ensuring comprehensive coverage beyond statutory limits, and considering inclusions for contract workers. Prioritize value over the cheapest option, focusing on claim settlement efficiency and insurer reliability for long-term business resilience.

The winning asset class not only outperformed the other asset classes in the long run but also beat inflation 7-9%. Among the asset classes, Indian equities have emerged as the clear winner in the long run. According to FundsIndias Wealth Conversations Report May 2026 report, Nifty 50 TRI beat inflation by 7-9% on average.

The Eighth Central Pay Commission will visit Lucknow on June 22 and 23, 2026. Central government organisations, institutions, unions, and associations in Uttar Pradesh can request appointments.

Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has suspended fresh investments in Franklin India Retirement Fund from May 20, following Sebis move to discontinue solution-oriented mutual fund schemes. The temporary halt covers lump sum investments, SIPs, STPs and switches, while the industry transitions towards new life cycle fund structures with dynamic asset allocation strategies.

Amid global uncertainty, Sundaram Mutual Fund's Anand Radhakrishnan advises investors to stay disciplined. First-time investors should begin with balanced funds and short-duration debt. Gradually increase equity exposure and rebalance portfolios periodically. Avoid emotional decisions and maintain diversification across asset classes and geographies. Crude oil prices are a key variable to watch over the next six to twelve months.

Investors can consider corporate bond funds for near-term and three-year goals. These funds invest in high-rated company papers, offering relative safety. Safety and interest rates are key factors. HDFC Corporate Bond Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund, ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund, and Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund are recommended for May 2026. Continue existing investments in these schemes.

A Mumbai man successfully claimed a tax exemption on Rs 5 crore land sales despite filing his ITR after the deadline. The ITAT Mumbai ruled in his favor, stating that since he used the entire capital gains to purchase a new property before filing his belated return, depositing the funds into a Capital Gains Account Scheme was not necessary.

A Delhi woman's Rs 20 lakh life insurance claim, denied due to alleged non-disclosure of diabetes and kidney diseases, was upheld by the State Consumer Commission. The insurer failed to provide sufficient proof of deliberate concealment, leading to a ruling in favor of the policyholder.

Multi-asset allocation funds, once seen as a guaranteed win, showed a wide performance range last year, from 3.3% to 24.6%. Investors flocked to these funds as volatile markets made asset allocation challenging, with top performers favoring gold and silver. Future success will depend on fund managers' tactical asset allocation and selective equity positioning.

A survey by 1 Finance Magazine reveals a significant gap in retirement preparedness among Indians aged 40-60. Nearly 76% lack detailed plans, yet 61.4% feel confident about retiring comfortably. Most rely on fixed deposits and mutual funds, with a median retirement corpus of Rs 28 lakh against a target of Rs 1 crore, highlighting a substantial shortfall.

Low-risk investors can earn a fixed monthly income of Rs 9,250 from a Rs 15 lakh deposit in a joint Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) account. This government-backed scheme offers an annual interest rate of 7.4% for a 5-year tenure. While interest is taxable as per income slab, no TDS is deducted by the post office.

New labour codes from the Central Government introduce a mandatory 2% annual salary increment for regular contractual workers. This rule applies to employees of contractors working for central government establishments like railways and banks. The provision is mandatory, even if companies do not wish to offer increments. This rule does not extend to employees directly on a company's payroll.

Medical professionals can secure loans for practice expansion by understanding lender criteria. Key factors include qualifications, credit score, age, practice stability, and income. Checking eligibility beforehand improves approval chances and saves time. Organizing financial records and reducing debt strengthen applications. Bajaj Finance offers doctor loans with high amounts, flexible tenures, and quick disbursal, supporting practice growth.

Building a Rs 5 crore retirement corpus on a Rs 50,000 salary is achievable with disciplined investing, time and strategy. Investing 30% of your salary monthly via SIP may take 31 years, but a 7% annual step-up can cut it to 2526 years. Experts say higher savings, better returns and periodic reviews accelerate wealth creation, while asset allocation and risk appetite play a crucial role in long-term success.

India's retirement planning is evolving with rising private sector NPS participation and evolving annuity products. While government contributions still dominate, private sector growth is steady. In an interview with Sriram Iyer, MD & CEO of HDFC Pension, he spoke about the growing role of NPS in retirement planning, NPS performance and more.

India-focused offshore funds and ETFs underperformed the MSCI India USD Index over one year, though Aryabhata India Fund emerged as the top performer with the smallest decline among peers.

Indian mutual fund assets under management have surged. Equity funds saw a significant rise in assets and investor numbers. Flexicap funds led net sales, attracting substantial inflows. SIP flows doubled in under three years, reaching new highs. The industry's AUM grew substantially over the past decade, indicating strong investor confidence and growing participation in mutual funds.

Gold prices saw an uptick on May 21, 2026, influenced by US-Iran tensions, inflation concerns, and increased rate-hike expectations. Major jewelry brands reported higher rates for 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k, and 14k gold.

SBI bank holidays May 2026: SBI branches may be closed for up to six days from May 23, 2026, due to a weekend, a proposed two-day staff strike, and the Bakrid holiday.

If the lender bank decides to deploy any technology-based mechanism for restricting or disabling the functionalities of a mobile device of a borrower, it shall ensure adopting a graduated approach rather than disabling the device, ab initio; it cant disable essential services like internet access, incoming calls, emergency SOS, and receipt of emergency Government or public-safety notifications.