Your Investment Ready-Reckoner
All figures researched from public sources and updated weekly every Thursday · Not financial advice
Nifty 50
23,777
↓ 12% from Jan high
Sensex
78,553
↓ Volatile market
Gold 24K / gram
₹15,775
↑ Near record highs
Silver / gram
₹274.90
↑ 274,900 per kg
RBI Repo Rate
5.25%
↓ Rate cut underway
Fixed Deposits
Major Bank FD Rates · Mar 2026
| Bank | 1 Year | 2 Year | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI | 6.80% | 6.80% | 7.30% |
| HDFC Bank | 6.60% | 6.45% | 7.00% |
| ICICI Bank | 6.25% | 6.50% | 7.10% |
| Axis Bank | 6.70% | 6.45% | 7.20% |
| Kotak Mahindra | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.70% |
| Bank of Baroda | 6.85% | 6.80% | 7.35% |
💡 RBI rate cuts are pushing FD rates down. Lock in longer tenures now. Tax-saving FDs (5-yr lock-in) qualify under Section 80C.
Gold & Silver
Retail Prices · India · 19 Mar 2026
Gold 24K / gram
₹15,775
99.9% purity · IBJA
Gold 22K / gram
₹14,460
Jewellery grade
- Silver / gram₹274.90
- Gold / 10 grams (24K)₹1,57,750
- Sovereign Gold Bond~₹9,600/unit
- Market trend↑ Near record highs
💡 SGBs offer 2.5% p.a. interest + gold price gain + tax-free at maturity (8 yrs). No making charges, no storage risk.
Mutual Funds & SIP
Category return ranges · Not advice
| Category | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 5–8% | 13–16% | 12–15% |
| Mid Cap | 7–12% | 18–22% | 18–24% |
| Small Cap | 4–9% | 20–28% | 22–30% |
| Flexi Cap | 6–10% | 15–19% | 14–18% |
| ELSS (Tax Saving) | 6–9% | 14–18% | 13–17% |
| Nifty 50 Index | 4–6% | 12–15% | 11–14% |
💡 Markets have corrected 12% from Jan 2026 highs — a potential opportunity for SIP investors. ELSS saves tax u/s 80C with only 3-yr lock-in.
PPF
Public Provident Fund · Q4 FY 2025–26
Interest Rate (Jan–Mar 2026)
7.1% p.a.
EEE — Triple Tax-Free
- Max Annual Deposit₹1,50,000
- Min Annual Deposit₹500
- Lock-in Period15 years
- Partial WithdrawalAfter 7th year
- Interest & MaturityFully Exempt
💡 Rate unchanged since April 2020. Deposit before the 5th of each month for maximum interest. Best for long-term tax-free wealth building.
SCSS
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme · Q4 FY 2025–26
Interest Rate (Jan–Mar 2026)
8.2% p.a.
Highest govt-backed rate for seniors
- Max Deposit₹30,00,000
- Min Deposit₹1,000
- Tenure5 years (extendable 3 yrs)
- EligibilityAge 60+ (55+ VRS)
- Interest PayoutQuarterly
- Section 80C BenefitUp to ₹1.5L
💡 SCSS at 8.2% beats all major FDs significantly. Ideal for retirees needing regular quarterly income. Can be opened at post offices or authorised banks.
NPS
National Pension System · Returns
- Scheme E — Equity12–14% (historical avg)
- Scheme C — Corp Bonds8–9% (historical avg)
- Scheme G — Govt Sec8–9% (historical avg)
- Deduction u/s 80CCD(1B)Extra ₹50,000
- Total NPS tax benefit₹2,00,000
- At age 6040% compulsory annuity
- 60% lump-sumTax-Free
💡 The ₹50,000 deduction u/s 80CCD(1B) is above the ₹1.5L Section 80C limit — NPS is the only instrument that gives this extra benefit.
EPF
Employee Provident Fund · FY 2025–26
Interest Rate · FY 2025–26
8.25% p.a.
EEE — Tax-Free within limits
- Employee Contribution12% of Basic
- Employer Contribution12% of Basic
- EDLI Free Life CoverUp to ₹7 lakh
- Withdrawal at RetirementTax-Free
💡 At 8.25%, EPF beats PPF (7.1%) and most FDs — the best risk-free return for salaried employees. Interest above ₹2.5L/yr employee share is taxable.
Real Estate
Home Loan Rates · FY 2025–26
Home Loan Rates (Floating · Mar 2026)
| Bank | Rate Range | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| SBI | 8.50–9.65% | 0.35% |
| HDFC Bank | 8.75–9.65% | 0.50% |
| ICICI Bank | 8.75–9.80% | 0.50% |
| Axis Bank | 8.75–9.65% | 1.00% |
| Kotak Mahindra | 8.75–9.60% | 0.50% |
| Bank of Baroda | 8.40–10.65% | 0.25% |
- REITs Dividend Yield5–7% p.a.
- Max tax benefit (Sec 24B)₹2L interest/yr
- LTCG on property sale12.5% (no indexation)
📋 Budget 2024: Indexation removed. LTCG now 12.5% without indexation. Property acquired before Jul 23, 2024 can use old 20% + indexation rule.
Life Insurance
How much cover do you need?
Income Multiplier Method
- Age 20–30 years20x Annual Income
- Age 30–40 years15x Annual Income
- Age 40–50 years10x Annual Income
- Age 50+ years5x Annual Income
Cover Calculator
💡 Always buy a pure term plan — avoid ULIPs or endowment. A ₹1 Cr cover for a 30-yr-old costs just ₹8,000–12,000/yr. Top picks: LIC Tech Term, HDFC Life Click2Protect, ICICI Prulife iProtect.
Health Insurance
IRDAI Claim Settlement Ratios · FY 2024–25
Top Health Insurers by Claim Settlement
Star Health Insurance
99.06%CSR · FY24-25
Aditya Birla Health
100%Settled within 3 months
Niva Bupa (Max Bupa)
100%Settled within 3 months
HDFC ERGO Health
98.85%CSR · FY24-25
ICICI Lombard Health
98.45%CSR · FY24-25
Care Health (Religare)
96%+CSR · FY24-25
- Min recommended cover₹10L per person
- Family floater (4 members)₹20–25 lakh
- Section 80D deduction₹25,000–₹1,00,000
💡 Buy before age 35 when premiums are lowest. CSR = claims settled out of total received. Source: IRDAI Annual Report FY 2024-25 (released Feb 2026).
Retirement Corpus
How much do you need to retire?
💡 Formula used: (85 − Retirement Age) × Annual Expenses = Corpus Needed. Assumes expenses till age 85. Subtract current savings to get the gap you need to fill.
Essential Financial Formulas & Rules
Net worth · Rules of thumb · Asset returns · Index performance
Top 10 Mistakes Indians Make
1 · No Emergency Fund First
Investing before building 6 months of expenses in liquid savings is the #1 mistake. A market dip forces panic selling at the worst time.
2 · No Life or Health Insurance
Investing without adequate term cover and health insurance means one emergency can wipe out years of savings.
3 · Buying ULIPs & Endowment Plans
Mixing insurance with investment gives poor returns on both. Buy term insurance separately and invest the rest in mutual funds.
4 · Chasing Last Year's Top Fund
Last year's best performer is rarely next year's winner. Choose funds based on consistent 5–10 year track records, not recent returns.
5 · Stopping SIPs in a Downturn
Market falls are when SIPs buy more units cheaply. Stopping them is the worst time to exit — it defeats the entire purpose of rupee cost averaging.
6 · Ignoring Inflation
An FD at 7% with 6% inflation gives only 1% real return. Always compare returns against inflation, not just the headline rate.
7 · Too Many Mutual Fund Schemes
Owning 15 funds does not mean better diversification — it just creates confusion. 3–5 well-chosen funds across categories is enough for most investors.
8 · Not Having a Will
Without a registered will and updated nominations, your wealth may not reach the right people. Nominations + will = peace of mind for your family.
9 · Taking Loans for Investments
Borrowing at 12–18% to invest in markets that may return 10–12% is a guaranteed loss. Never invest borrowed money.
10 · Starting Too Late
₹5,000/month invested from age 25 at 12% becomes ₹3.2 Cr by 60. Starting at 35 gives only ₹1 Cr. Time is your biggest asset — start today.
Key Formulas
Net Worth
Assets − Liabilities
Everything you own minus everything you owe. Calculate annually to track financial progress.
Emergency Fund
6 × Monthly Expenses
Keep 6 months of expenses in a liquid savings account or liquid mutual fund. Non-negotiable before investing.
50-30-20 Budget Rule
50% Needs · 30% Wants · 20% Save
50% on essentials (rent, food, EMIs), 30% on wants (dining, travel), 20% minimum towards savings and investments.
Rules of Compounding
Rule of 72 — Doubling Time
72 ÷ Annual Return % = Years to Double
At 8% return: 72 ÷ 8 = 9 years to double money. At 12%: 72 ÷ 12 = 6 years. Use this to quickly compare investment options.
Rule of 144 — Quadrupling Time
144 ÷ Annual Return % = Years to 4x
At 12% return: 144 ÷ 12 = 12 years to quadruple your money. Twice the Rule of 72. Great for long-term planning.
Real Return
Nominal Return − Inflation Rate
If FD gives 7% and inflation is 5%, your real return is only 2%. Always compare investments on real (inflation-adjusted) return.
Asset Class Returns (5-Year Avg)
| Asset | 5Y Avg Return |
|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 11–14% p.a. |
| Gold | 14–16% p.a. |
| Real Estate | 6–11% p.a. |
| Fixed Deposits | 6–7% p.a. |
| PPF | 7.1% p.a. |
| Debt MF | 6–8% p.a. |
Key Index Performance
| Index | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 5% | 12% | 13% |
| Nifty Midcap 150 | 8% | 20% | 22% |
| Nifty Smallcap 250 | 6% | 22% | 24% |
| Sensex | 5% | 11% | 12% |
Taxation Quick Guide
FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27) · New Regime Slabs · Capital Gains · Key Deductions
New Regime Slabs (Default since FY 2024–25)
Up to ₹3 lakh
Nil
₹3L – ₹7L
5%
₹7L – ₹10L
10%
₹10L – ₹12L
15%
₹12L – ₹15L
20%
Above ₹15L
30%
- Rebate u/s 87A (New Regime)Zero tax up to ₹12L
- Standard Deduction — New Regime₹75,000
- Standard Deduction — Old Regime₹50,000
💡 New Regime is better for most salaried people up to ₹15L without large 80C/HRA. Old Regime wins if you max 80C + 80D + HRA + home loan interest.
Capital Gains Tax & Key Deductions
- LTCG — Equity / Equity MF12.5% above ₹1.25L gain
- STCG — Equity / Equity MF20%
- LTCG — Debt MF (post Apr 2023)As per income slab
- STCG — Debt MFAs per income slab
- LTCG — Real Estate (post Jul 2024)12.5% (no indexation)
- LTCG — Gold / Physical (24 mo+)12.5%
- Section 80C (Old Regime only)₹1,50,000 limit
- Section 80D — Health Insurance₹25,000–₹1,00,000
- NPS extra — 80CCD(1B)₹50,000 extra
- HRA ExemptionOld Regime only
⚠️ Budget 2024: LTCG equity exemption raised to ₹1.25L. STCG raised from 15% → 20%. Indexation removed on real estate and gold. Review your redemption plans.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All data sourced from publicly available websites and verified at time of update. Rates change frequently — verify with the relevant institution before any investment decision. This page is for informational reference only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser for personalised guidance.
📈 Stock Markets & MF Regulator
SEBI
sebi.gov.in
Securities & Exchange Board of India. Regulates stock markets, brokers, mutual funds, and listed companies.
📋 Complaint Portal
SEBI SCORES
scores.sebi.gov.in
File and track complaints against brokers, listed companies, and mutual funds online.
🏦 Banking Regulator
Reserve Bank of India
rbi.org.in
Central bank of India. Regulates banks, NBFCs, UPI payments, and monetary policy.
📋 Banking Complaint Portal
RBI Ombudsman
cms.rbi.org.in
File complaints against banks, NBFCs, digital payment operators. Free and online.
🛡️ Insurance Regulator
IRDAI
irdai.gov.in
Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India. Oversees all life, health, and general insurance.
📋 Insurance Complaint Portal
Bima Bharosa
bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in
IRDAI's one-stop platform to file and track insurance grievances. Works for all types of insurance.
🧾 Pension Regulator
PFRDA
pfrda.org.in
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. Regulates NPS and Atal Pension Yojana.
🧾 NPS Account Portal
NPS CRA (NSDL)
npscra.nsdl.co.in
Manage your NPS account, check balance, change fund manager, and make contributions.
🏢 Provident Fund
EPFO
epfindia.gov.in
Employee Provident Fund Organisation. Check PF balance, file claims, and transfer PF accounts.
📊 Mutual Fund Industry Body
AMFI India
amfiindia.com
Association of Mutual Funds in India. Find NAVs, fund details, and check advisor credentials.
📈 Stock Exchange
NSE India
nseindia.com
National Stock Exchange. Live market data, index information, and listed company details.
📈 Stock Exchange
BSE India
bseindia.com
Bombay Stock Exchange. Live market data, Sensex information, and corporate announcements.
📋 Income Tax
Income Tax India
incometax.gov.in
File ITR, check refund status, view Form 26AS, and access all tax-related services.
🏛️ Small Savings
India Post / Post Office
indiapost.gov.in
Access PPF, SCSS, NSC, Sukanya Samriddhi, and other small savings schemes information.
🪙 Gold Prices
IBJA (Gold Rates)
ibja.co
India Bullion & Jewellers Association. Official daily gold and silver rates used as benchmark.
Investor Helplines & Regulators
Who to call when you have a problem · All numbers toll-free
🏦 Banking & RBI
RBI Integrated Ombudsman
144489:30am–5:15pm · 9 languages
RBI Complaint Portal
cms.rbi.org.in
RBI General Helpline
1800 425 2310
PM Jan Dhan Yojana
1800 11 0001
Covers banks, NBFCs, UPI, cards
→ Use RBI Ombudsman
📈 SEBI, Mutual Funds & Markets
SEBI Helpline
1800 266 75759am–6pm · 8 languages
SEBI Alternate Helpline
1800 22 7575
SEBI SCORES Portal
scores.sebi.gov.in
AMFI (Mutual Funds)
1800 572 6592
AMFI Email
contact@amfiindia.com
NSE Investor Helpdesk
ignse@nse.co.in
BSE Investor Helpdesk
is@bseindia.com
🛡️ Insurance, NPS & Others
IRDAI Bima Bharosa
155255All insurance complaints
IRDAI Email
complaints@irdai.gov.in
IRDAI Portal
bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in
PFRDA (NPS Complaints)
1800 110 708
PFRDA Email
cra@pfrda.org.in
EPFO (PF Grievances)
1800 118 005
CPGRAMS (All Govt Grievances)
pgportal.gov.in
Cyber / Financial Fraud
1930National Cybercrime Helpline
💡 Escalation order: Always complain to your bank / insurer / broker first. If unresolved in 30 days → escalate to the regulator (SEBI SCORES / RBI Ombudsman / IRDAI Bima Bharosa). Still unsatisfied → approach Consumer Court or the Ombudsman. All these services are completely free of charge.