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Personal Finance / The Economic Times
IRDAI convened a high-level meeting with insurers to address the growing number of unresolved policyholder complaints. IRDAI urged insurers to adopt a more proactive, policyholder-centric approach and to strengthen their internal systems to ensure strict compliance with prescribed timelines.
Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched two commodity-based ETFsBandhan Gold ETF and Bandhan Silver ETFdesigned to track domestic prices of physical gold and silver. The NFOs are set to open on December 1 and close on December 3, with continuous trading beginning on December 12. Both funds aim to offer smart, transparent access to precious metals
Amazon and Flipkart are moving deeper into financial services in India, targeting small businesses and consumers with new lending products as they challenge traditional banks. Amazon, after acquiring non-bank lender Axio, plans to restart small-business loans and offer cash-management tools, seeing strong demand among digitally active merchants outside major cities.
State Bank of India alerts pensioners to a scam. Fraudsters impersonate bank officials to trick them into sharing sensitive data. Their aim is to change your registered mobile number and seize control of your bank account. Pensioners must not share OTPs or banking details. Be vigilant against suspicious calls and links.
Nomura has initiated coverage on Anthem Biosciences with a Buy rating and a 740 target, citing attractive valuations, strong CRDMO positioning, diversified capabilities, and robust revenue and earnings growth projections despite recent stock correction.
Seven equity mutual funds have delivered over 25% CAGR over both three- and five-year periods, according to an ETMutualFunds analysis. The list features major schemes such as Invesco India Midcap Fund, Bandhan Small Cap Fund, and HDFC Mid Cap Fund. Of the seven, five are mid-cap funds, one is small-cap, and one is a large & mid-cap fund, selected from 205 eligible schemes.
Rising demand for health insurance means a greater demand for insurance advisors. Insurance advisors, today, must possess the necessary skills and knowledge to act as trusted guides helping millions navigate complex products, policy options, and claims processes. Heres how Niva Bupa Insurance Academy is preparing a generation.
New labor codes have sparked interest in gratuity rules, with fixed-term and contract workers now eligible after one year of service. This change, however, does not extend to permanent employees, who still require five years of continuous service to qualify for gratuity benefits.
Zerodha Fund House, the index-focused joint venture between Zerodha and Smallcase, has surpassed 10,000 crore in assets under management within just two years of launch, Smallcase founder Vasanth Kamath announced on LinkedIn.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has made a significant ruling regarding a daughters application for a job following her mothers death 15 years ago. The court underscored that compassionate job placements are designed for those in acute financial distress at the moment of loss.
The Unique Identification Authority of India is preparing to launch a new feature. This will allow users to update their Aadhaar mobile number from home. The update will use OTP and face authentication. This will simplify a crucial Aadhaar service. Citizens will no longer need to visit enrolment centres. The service is expected to be available soon.
In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court turned down a grandfather's petition for child support from his ex-daughter-in-law, highlighting that he did not possess the necessary legal authority to pursue such claims. The court clarified that the childs father, who retains custody, is both alive and financially able to provide for his offspring.
Twelve new offeringsincluding 11 mutual funds and one SIFare currently open for subscription across index funds, ETFs, FoFs, multi-asset, sectoral, FMP, and long-short categories.
India's Code on Social Security, 2020 has expanded the purview of who qualifies as a family under labour laws, extending coverage. This seemingly technical change could reshape family financial planning for millions, offering broader insurance coverage, gratuity benefits, and ESI access. Here's what this expansion means your family's financial security.
Despite the Nifty 50 remaining flat for 14 months, 167 equity mutual funds delivered double-digit returns through SIPs. This performance, partly driven by market volatility and momentum, saw funds like TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund and Invesco India Midcap Fund offer significant XIRR. Experts advise continued disciplined investing and step-up SIPs for long-term wealth creation.
Short duration funds are ideal for investors seeking debt schemes with maturities of one to three years. These funds balance risk and return, being less volatile than liquid options but safer than longer-term investments. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund, ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund, and Axis Short Term Fund are recommended for November 2025.
India's new labour laws offer a significant boost to retirement savings. Employees can build a larger corpus by increasing their basic salary component. This change mandates employers to allocate at least 50% of CTC to basic pay. Consequently, EPF and NPS contributions rise, leading to substantial additional retirement funds.
Mutual fund distributors can now earn an extra 2,000 commission for onboarding new individual investors from outside the top 30 cities or women. This incentive, payable from the investor education fund, requires a minimum one-year investment. The new framework, effective February 1, 2026, aims to broaden market participation.
Sebi has replaced the B-30 incentive framework with a targeted commission model offering distributors up to Rs 2,000 per new eligible investor from February 2026. The incentive, funded through AMCs investor education allocation, excludes ETFs, FoFs and ultra-short-duration schemes, and aims to curb misuse while expanding retail participation, especially among women investors.
Pensioners must submit their Jeevan Pramaan Patra, a digital life certificate, by November 30, 2025. This biometric-enabled service allows pensioners to avoid physical visits to pension disbursing agencies. The process involves using a smartphone and the Jeevan Pramaan Face App. Checking the status of acceptance by the pension disbursing agency is crucial.
A breakdown of all the benefits introduced under the 2025 Labour Codes, covering FTEs, gig workers, women, youth, MSME employees, and more.
NRI Rajesh Sahni aims to build Rs 1 crore for his daughters marriage while securing long-term wealth for his children. Experts advise consolidating his SIPs into four core funds, increasing contributions to Rs 1.2 lakh monthly, and gradually shifting from equities to balanced and debt funds as the goal nears.
The top-performing mutual funds for a three-year lumpsum horizon are dominated by value and gold-oriented schemes, all delivering strong compound returns. Despite impressive past performance, investors are advised to base decisions on risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals rather than returns alone, ensuring alignment with long-term objectives and suitability
Nifty has hit a fresh record high, but mutual funds are staying cautious, holding over Rs 2 lakh crore in cashits highest in months. Elevated valuations, limited bargains, and selective opportunities are prompting fund managers to deploy money gradually despite improving macro fundamentals and optimism around upcoming earnings recovery.
The UIDAI has deactivated over 2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals to ensure database accuracy, sourcing data from RGI and other government bodies. Aadhaar numbers are never re-assigned after deactivation to prevent identity fraud and misuse of welfare benefits. A new service on the myAadhaar portal allows reporting deaths for deactivation.
The Reserve Bank of India has announced the final redemption price and date for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2017-18 Series-IX, set for November 27, 2025. The redemption price is fixed at Rs 12,484 per unit, reflecting a significant return of nearly 329% on the initial investment. This scheme offers a secure alternative to physical gold with annual interest.
Discover monthly EMI calculations for a Rs 20 lakh home loan across different tenures (5-30 years) with current 2025 interest rates starting at 7.35%. Compare rates from top banks, understand tax benefits, and learn smart strategies to reduce your home loan burden.
On November 21, 2025, the landscape of gratuity calculations will transform significantly. Fixed-term employees will newly qualify for gratuity after their first year of employment. The formula for wage calculation will include not just basic pay, but also dearness and retaining allowances, with an important addition of half the total remuneration.
DSP Midcap Fund has delivered significant wealth creation, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.37 crore over 19 years. While long-term SIP discipline proved effective, recent performance shows underperformance against its benchmark and category. Experts suggest continued SIPs in quality midcap index funds for future wealth accumulation.
Medium to long duration debt funds invest in longer-term instruments, making them sensitive to interest rate hikes. Investors might face volatility and potential losses. Advisors often recommend safer short-term funds. However, those with a higher risk appetite and a long investment horizon can consider these funds with expert guidance.
Anticipation builds among central government employees and retirees as they eagerly await the announcements from the 8th Pay Commission regarding salary increases. The fitment factor, an essential determinant reflecting fiscal health and budget allowances, could potentially range from 2.13 to even more under favourable conditions.
The ITAT Ahmedabad has cleared Mr. Sanghvi from tax penalty by declaring it null and void. The penalty was based on allegations of misreporting income due to a mishap with his Section 54F capital gains tax exemption claim. However, the tribunal found that a mere calculation error in Section 54F does not indicate any intention of misreporting.
Employees will now receive their full and final settlement within two working days. This new labor code standardizes the process for all separations. Previously, settlements could take up to 30 days or longer. The change aims to provide employees with faster access to their dues. Employers may face operational challenges in meeting the new, shorter timeline.
Section 54F allows a long-term capital gains exemption if the sale proceeds from non-residential assets are fully invested in constructing a new home within three years. Since the Bengaluru flat will be completed in 2030, selling mutual fund or foreign equity holdings around 2027 aligns with the timeline. Careful scheduling ensures eligibility.
EPFO has announced that September-October 2025 wage details are temporarily not visible in EPF passbooks due to a revamped ECR ledger posting. This update is expected to be completed within a couple of days. Members can check their updated contributions via the UAN Member e-Sewa portal or the UMANG app.
ET Wealth Reader's Query: I hold NRO and NRE accounts and invest in mutual funds, is this the most tax-efficient way to manage these investments?
Top flexi cap funds have delivered strong five-year returns, with HDFC Focused Fund leading the list, followed closely by HDFC Flexi Cap and ICICI Prudential Focused Fund
For lumpsum investment, the minimum amount in all these four funds will be Rs 500 and any amount thereafter and for SIP, the minimum amount in all four funds will be Rs 500 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.

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