Sept2022-24 vs Sept2024-26 Nifty Returns: Wrong Expectations Being Righted?

Between Sep-2022 and Sept-2024, the Nifty50 delivered four straight half-years of strong returns: 1.5%, 11.6%, 12.0% and 13.5%. Many investors quietly rebased their expectations, treating double-digit gains every six months as the norm (and their right!) rather than the exception.…

PPF 7.1% | SCSS 8.2% | NSC 7.7% | Sukanya 8.2% | No Changes for Oct-Dec 2026

There have been No Changes in the small savings scheme for the quarter of October-December 2026. PPF interest rates - No Change (remains at 7.10%) Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana rates - No Change (remains at 8.20%) Senior Citizen Savings Scheme or…

Knowing What To Do Is Not the Same as Doing It When Markets are Falling

Almost every investor knows they should stay invested when markets fall. Ask them, and you will get the textbook answer: think long term, don't panic, keep the SIPs running. But knowing is one thing, and doing is another. Take the…

IRDAI finally targets the Real problem in insurance – Commission (& Mis-Selling)

The IRDAI consultation paper, Recalibrating Economics of Insurance Distribution (September 2026), has sent serious shockwaves through the banking and agent community. It proposes curbs on mis-selling and a reset of distribution commissions. To be fair, everyone knows how the commission…

What Made You Rich Will Not Automatically Manage The Money – Economic Times Wealth (21-Sep-2026)

If you have already made a decent amount of money (via a business that worked, a long career that paid well, or a chunky ESOP), then there is an assumption that follows you around. That the judgement which helped you…

Living Through the Overwhelming ‘Sandwich Generation’ Squeeze – Economic Times Wealth (17-Aug-2026)

You are neither too young, nor too old. Your children’s higher education is just a few years away. Your old parents increasingly need support, not just medical and emotional but sometimes financial. Plus you are either repaying a loan or…

Having a Big Portfolio Puts a Bigger Target on your Back – Economic Times Wealth (27-Jul-2026)

The moment someone’s portfolio crosses a few crores, the phone calls change. The humble Agent or Relationship Manager, now becomes (better-sounding) Wealth Manager or Private Banker. Sadly, that is not where this ends. In fact, it is the start. Specially…

EPFO 3.0’s Immediate Access to 75% of Provident Fund via ATM & UPI – Real Cost is Retirement Disaster

When EPFO recently announced that PF withdrawals would soon be possible via UPI and ATM cards, i.e., you get instant access to your retirement(!) money, it sounded like a welcome move for many. But while this EPFO 3.0 reform does…

Started investing in 40s-50s? Compensate for Lost Years (Economic Times Wealth (20-Apr-2026)

The earlier you start, the less you need to invest. But if you start late in your 40s, you don't have the comfort of comforting math. You need to save more. A lot more. My column in Economic Times Wealth…