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 of 26,373
Sensex
78,553
↓ Volatile · Middle East tensions
Gold 24K / gram
₹15,775
↑ Near record highs
Silver / gram
₹274.90
↑ ₹2,74,900 per kg
RBI Repo Rate
5.25%
↓ Rate cut cycle underway
Fixed Deposits
Major Bank FD Rates · Mar 2026
| Bank | 1 Year | 2 Year | Senior (+0.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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's rate cut cycle has begun — FD rates are drifting downward. 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 rate
Gold 22K / gram
₹14,460
Jewellery grade
- Silver / gram₹274.90
- Gold per 10 grams (24K)₹1,57,750
- Sovereign Gold Bond (approx)~₹9,600/unit
- Market trend↑ Near record highs
💡 SGBs offer 2.5% p.a. interest + gold price appreciation + tax-free at maturity (8 yrs). No making charges, no storage risk — best way to hold gold as investment.
Mutual Funds & SIP
Category return ranges · Not advice
| Category | 1Y Return | 3Y Return |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | ~5–8% | ~13–16% |
| Mid Cap | ~7–12% | ~18–22% |
| Small Cap | ~4–9% | ~20–28% |
| Flexi Cap | ~6–10% | ~15–19% |
| ELSS (Tax Saving) | ~6–9% | ~14–18% |
| Nifty 50 Index | ~4–6% | ~12–15% |
💡 Markets have corrected ~12% from Jan 2026 highs — a potential opportunity for SIP investors. ELSS saves tax u/s 80C with only a 3-yr lock-in vs 5 yrs for tax-saving FDs.
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 (extendable)
- Partial WithdrawalAfter 7th year
- Interest & MaturityFully Exempt
💡 Rate unchanged since April 2020. Deposit before the 5th of each month to earn full month's interest. Best for long-term, risk-free, tax-free wealth creation.
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+ (or 55+ VRS)
- Interest PayoutQuarterly
- Section 80C BenefitUp to ₹1.5L
- TDS on InterestIf interest > ₹50,000/yr
💡 SCSS beats FDs significantly at 8.2%. Ideal for retirees who need regular quarterly income. Can be opened at post offices or authorised banks. Joint account allowed with spouse.
NPS
National Pension System · Avg Returns
- Scheme E — Equity (Tier I)~12–14% historical
- Scheme C — Corporate Bonds~8–9% historical
- Scheme G — Govt Securities~8–9% historical
- Deduction u/s 80CCD(1B)Extra ₹50,000
- Total possible NPS benefit₹2,00,000
- At retirement (age 60)40% → Annuity
- Lump-sum withdrawal (60%)Tax-Free
💡 The extra ₹50,000 deduction u/s 80CCD(1B) is over and above the ₹1.5L limit of Section 80C — NPS is the only instrument offering this. Ideal for 30% bracket earners.
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 bank FDs — making it the best risk-free return for salaried employees. Interest above ₹2.5L/yr employee share is taxable.
Real Estate
City Prices & Home Loan Rates · FY 2025–26
City Price Snapshot (₹ per sq ft)
| City | Avg ₹/sq ft | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai (MMR) | ₹18,000–32,000 | ↑ ~8% |
| Delhi NCR | ₹8,000–18,000 | ↑ ~7% |
| Bengaluru | ₹8,000–14,000 | ↑ ~11% |
| Hyderabad | ₹7,000–13,000 | ↑ ~9% |
| Pune | ₹7,000–12,000 | ↑ ~8% |
| Chennai | ₹6,500–10,000 | ↑ ~6% |
Home Loan Rates (Floating · Mar 2026)
| Bank | Rate Range | Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Kotak Mahindra | 8.75–9.60% | 0.50% |
| Bank of Baroda | 8.40–10.65% | 0.25% |
- REITs Dividend Yield~5–7% p.a.
📋 Key 2024 change: Indexation removed (Budget 2024). LTCG on property 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 20–3020× Annual Income
- Age 30–4015× Annual Income
- Age 40–5010× Annual Income
- Age 50+5× Annual Income
Quick Cover Calculator
💡 Always buy a pure term plan — not ULIPs or endowment plans. ₹1 crore term cover for a 30-yr-old costs just ~₹8,000–12,000/yr. LIC, HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential, Max Life are top-rated.
Health Insurance
Best Rated Companies · Mar 2026
Top Rated Health Insurers (IRDAI 2024–25)
Star Health Insurance
★★★★★Claim ratio: 65%
Care Health (Religare)
★★★★½Claim ratio: 58%
Niva Bupa (Max Bupa)
★★★★½Claim ratio: 56%
HDFC ERGO
★★★★Claim ratio: 82%
Bajaj Allianz Health
★★★★Claim ratio: 79%
Aditya Birla Health
★★★★Claim ratio: 73%
- Min cover recommended₹10 lakh per person
- Family floater (family of 4)₹20–25 lakh
- Super top-up optionDeductible: ₹5L
- Section 80D deduction₹25,000 – ₹1,00,000
💡 Buy health insurance before age 35 when premiums are lowest and pre-existing conditions haven't developed. Always check network hospital list and cashless claim process.
Retirement Corpus
How much do you need to retire?
💡 Formula: (85 − Retirement Age) × Annual Expenses = Total Corpus Needed. Then subtract your current savings. Plan to cover expenses till age 85 as a safe assumption.
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 income
- Standard Deduction — New Regime₹75,000
- Standard Deduction — Old Regime₹50,000
💡 New Regime is better for most salaried people earning up to ~₹15L without large 80C/HRA deductions. 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 changes: LTCG equity exemption raised to ₹1.25L (from ₹1L). STCG rate 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 and prices 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.