The Economic Times

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The NC-JCM will hold its 49th annual meeting on May 11, 2026, to discuss key issues impacting central government employees and pensioners. Major proposals include enhanced pension benefits, higher family pension, expanded medical facilities, and full reimbursement of treatment costs. It will also raise concerns over regional recruitment, promotion delays, and career stagnation, among other issues.

A divorced daughter, deserted by her husband, can claim her late father's family pension if dependency existed during his lifetime, even if divorce was finalized later. The Calcutta High Court ruled that a government memo allows this, emphasizing the beneficial object of pension rules. Dependency and marital breakdown prior to the father's death are key.

Buying a home in Indian metros is an emotional decision, but financial realities are shifting. Renting and investing the difference between rent and EMI can build substantial wealth over two decades. Equities offer higher long-term returns than property appreciation. The choice hinges on prioritizing financial optimization or personal stability.

PFRDA has launched NPS Sanchay, a simplified National Pension System variant, to serve India's informal sector employees. This scheme aims to reduce investment complexities and asset allocation challenges for nearly 90% of the workforce lacking formal pension coverage. Eligibility extends to Indian citizens aged 18-85, with rules aligning to existing NPS schemes.

Gold prices surged on May 6, 2026, driven by escalating Middle East tensions and amplified inflation concerns. Major jewelry brands and IBJA reported noticeable uptrends in 22k gold rates, reflecting firm global cues. This rise follows a day of pressure on gold prices due to geopolitical events.

The Bonus Points earned during the Points Fest can significantly enhance members ability to redeem rewards across Air Indias expanding domestic and international network. 2,00,000 Maharaja Points can get members, for example, up to 5 one-way Economy Class tickets between Mumbai and London Heathrow or up to 20 round-trips on prime domestic routes like the Delhi-Mumbai route.

Groww Mutual Fund has launched the Groww Nifty Private Bank ETF, a passive scheme tracking the Nifty Private Bank Index TRI. The NFO is open until May 20. The fund offers exposure to private banking stocks with a low-cost, rules-based approach, aiming to minimise tracking error and deliver benchmark-aligned returns.

Quantum AI scam: A viral message falsely claims Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is promoting a 'Quantum AI' investment scheme. It promises huge returns on small investments with zero risk and government guarantee.

Around 11 equity mutual funds with NAVs above Rs 1,000 have delivered strong long-term returns, with CAGRs reaching up to 24%. Most of these funds have been in the market for over two decades, highlighting the role of time and compounding in wealth creation across categories like mid cap and flexi cap.

8th Pay Commission: Maharashtra Old Pension Organization representatives met with the 8th Pay Commission in Pune, advocating for a Rs 65,000 minimum basic pay and a 3.8 fitment factor for central government employees. Key demands included a 4% minimum DA increase, revised HRA and TA, faster career progression, and pension reforms for UPS subscribers.

Maharashtra is launching 60 new model property sub-registrar offices. These centers, managed by VFS Global, aim to speed up property registrations. Buyers can choose these modern facilities or continue using existing offices. The government will maintain strict control over these new centers. This initiative seeks to improve citizen experience and reduce waiting times.

Loans against mutual funds offer liquidity without redeeming investments, but require careful handling. Investors often overlook loan terms, valuation risks and repayment discipline. Comparing lenders and avoiding unnecessary borrowing are key to preventing financial strain while using mutual funds as collateral for short-term funding needs.

Bengaluru apartment owners secured a major win as the Karnataka High Court ordered a builder to demolish illegal construction. The construction encroached on the setback area of Rajsri Apartments in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. The court ruled that the revised plan lacked a crucial Fire Department NOC. This decision prioritizes public safety and emergency access over builder's interests.

A 30-year-old investor aiming for Rs 7 crore in 15 years faces a shortfall despite a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP with a 27% annual step-up. Expert Vishal Dhawan suggests consolidating mid-cap and small-cap funds to reduce overlap, retaining Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund as core. Increasing contributions is key to bridging the Rs 2.2-2.5 crore gap.

A wife earning Rs 1.5 lakh monthly sought higher maintenance from her husband. The Karnataka High Court denied her plea. The court noted her substantial income and the husband's limited assets, including a mortgaged one-acre land. His potential share in ancestral property was deemed insufficient grounds for enhancement. The court upheld the original maintenance order.

Here are some of the top-performing mutual funds for May 2026, based on recent performance, consistency, and category leadership across large-cap, flexi-cap, midcap, and thematic segments:

Choosing between SIPs and Recurring Deposits (RDs) for regular investment presents a common dilemma. While RDs offer predictable, fixed returns with minimal risk, SIPs in mutual funds, particularly equity funds, have the potential to generate significantly higher corpus over the long term, despite market fluctuations.

Enhanced tax-free allowances under the Income-Tax Rules, 2026 can improve employees take-home pay. However, the expanded definition of wages under the Code on Social Security, 2020 may increase gratuity and other social security liabilities. While restructuring may benefit employees, it can also raise long-term costs for employers, creating a clear dilemma and limiting widespread adoption.

Mutual fund expense ratios are rising due to new Sebi guidelines mandating the inclusion of trading-related costs in the Total Expense Ratio (TER). This revised reporting offers investors a more transparent view of all scheme expenses, including brokerage and transaction fees, previously excluded from the headline number.

Investing Rs 1.5 lakh annually in Public Provident Fund for 20 years can yield a tax-free retirement corpus exceeding Rs 66 lakh. This popular scheme offers a fixed interest rate, with compounding significantly boosting returns. PPF accounts mature in 15 years but can be extended for further growth, providing a robust wealth creation avenue.

Pm Kisan Samman Yojana: Farmers eagerly await the 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana, expected around June-July 2026, with each beneficiary receiving Rs 2,000. The scheme provides annual income support to eligible landholding farmer families. Mandatory e-KYC and Aadhaar linkage are crucial for receiving payments.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: Will buying an apartment before selling the existing one still allow me to claim long-term capital gains exemption in the same financial year?

Investing Rs 20,000 monthly via SIP for 25 years at an expected 12% return can build a corpus of around Rs 3.40 crore. Out of this, Rs 60 lakh is the invested amount, while the remainder is generated through compounding over the long-term investment horizon.

Gold prices experienced a minor decrease on May 5, 2026. Rates for 24k, 22k, and other gold purities showed a downward trend compared to the previous day. Leading jewellers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas reported lower prices.

About seven equity mutual funds delivered over 25% CAGR in the past three years, out of 246 schemes analysed by ETMutualFunds. Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 30.24% CAGR, followed by midcap funds such as HSBC Midcap Fund (26.55%) and ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund (25.92%).

SBI employees' nationwide strike May 25, 26: The demands raised by the federation include recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate staffing, and stopping outsourcing of permanent roles. AISBISF has also underlined issues like pension related concerns under the National Pension System, lack of inter circle transfers for employees recruited after 2019.

Taxpayers, mark your calendars for May 2026! Crucial compliance deadlines loom, including TDS/TCS deposits for April and certificate issuances. Remember to file key statements and declarations under the Income-tax Act, 2025, to avoid penalties. Stay informed to meet these important dates.

ETMutualFunds outlines SIP portfolio options for aggressive investors across three investment brackets starting from Rs 2,000. The portfolios combine flexi cap, large cap, midcap, small cap, and hybrid funds, selected using an in-house methodology based on returns, consistency, risk, and asset size over the past three years.

Axis Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions in three international funds from May 5 due to overseas investment limits. While fresh inflows are halted, redemptions and existing SIPs continue. The move comes amid strong past returns and follows leadership changes, including Ashish Guptas exit and R Sivakumars elevation as CIO.

The Delhi Development Authority has extended the payment deadline for its premium Towering Heights project in Karkardooma to June 30, 2026. This move accommodates delays in statutory approvals and physical possession, offering relief to allottees. No interest will be charged on payments due by March 31, 2026, extended to April 30, 2026, and until June 30, 2026.

Greater Noida has seen a 3.58% increase in property circle rates, aligning with the Cost Inflation Index to encourage investment. A new 37-km road connecting Greater Noida to the Ganga Expressway is also proposed, promising seamless connectivity to western Uttar Pradesh and reducing travel time significantly.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has filed draft papers with Sebi to launch a hybrid long-short fund under its Prism SIF platform. The interval strategy will invest across equity, debt and derivatives with limited short exposure. With structured allocation and income strategies, the fund targets long-term capital appreciation alongside income generation for investors.

Defence mutual funds have surged up to 25% in a month, driven by geopolitical tensions. Experts advise against chasing this sharp rally, citing stretched valuations and long project timelines. Investors should consider gradual entry or diversified funds for long-term wealth creation.

The new tax regime offers lower rates but removes many deductions, making a thorough comparison with the old regime crucial. While both regimes allow certain allowances and perquisites, understanding these benefits, like meal vouchers and motor car perquisites, is key to minimizing your tax burden for FY 2026-27.

Bengaluru's housing market saw a 5.3% CAGR price rise over five years. Builders are focusing on premium 3BHK apartments in the Rs 1 to 2 crore range. This creates a shortage of affordable homes priced between Rs 30 to 50 lakh. Sales are highest in the Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore segment.

Your salary is just the start for loan approval. Lenders scrutinize your income after deducting all current EMIs. This remaining amount, measured by the Fixed Obligation to Income Ratio, dictates your borrowing capacity. Keeping this ratio below 50% is key. Existing EMIs significantly reduce how much more you can borrow. Even small EMI reductions can boost your loan eligibility.

Savings account interest rates: Suryoday Small Finance Bank has updated its savings account and fixed deposit interest rates. Effective May 1, 2026, savings accounts will offer up to 7.60% interest on higher balances.

International funds led returns, followed by energy and auto sector funds. Top performers delivered strong gains, but investors should prioritize risk appetite, goals, and horizon over chasing past returns.

The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) has submitted a memorandum to the 8th Pay Commission demanding five distinct fitment factors for its technical staff, citing job complexities and hazards. They also proposed a 5% annual increment, a promotional increment equivalent to two annual increments, and a separate CPI for calculating Dearness Allowance.

HDFC Mutual Fund has revised investment rules for its HDFC Defence Fund, increasing the minimum amount for fresh SIP registrations. It has also capped new STP registrations at 25,000 per month per investor (PAN level), allowing them only under a monthly frequency from May 4.