Money Calendar 2025-26: Your Guide to Financial Planning
The start of a new financial year is the ideal time to review your finances, set new goals, and align your investments with changing economic conditions.
Plan Your Investment Strategy
India’s equity markets had a volatile start to 2025, with BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 falling 5.5% and 5.3% year-to-date until March 13.
- Mid and small-cap stocks faced steeper declines, dropping 15.3% and 20.6%, respectively.
- Since March 15, markets have rebounded, with Sensex and Nifty gaining 4.98% and 5.2% by March 28.
In this uncertain environment, mutual fund investors should maintain a long-term perspective.
- Regularly review your portfolio to maintain diversification across equities, debt, gold, and international assets.
- Stick to your asset allocation strategy to ensure you meet your financial goals.
- Consider starting or increasing a systematic investment plan (SIP) on April 1, especially if you’re expecting a salary hike.
Also, take this opportunity to update nominee details for bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies to avoid complications in the future.
Key Financial Changes in April 2025
The Union Budget 2025 has introduced significant tax reforms, impacting individual finances.
- With the new tax regime offering greater savings, taxpayers should reassess their tax planning strategy.
Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One to Choose?
The new tax regime provides higher savings for various income levels.
- Individuals earning ₹12 lakh per annum can save ₹83,200.
- Those with annual incomes of ₹15 lakh, ₹24 lakh, ₹1 crore, and ₹5 crore can save ₹32,500, ₹1.14 lakh, ₹1.25 lakh, and ₹1.43 lakh, respectively.
While the new regime lowers tax outgo, financial planners advise against impulsive spending. Instead, consider goal-based investing for long-term wealth creation.
Home Loan Borrowers: Interest Rates May Drop Further
In February 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25%, marking its first reduction in five years.
- With inflation at a seven-month low (3.61%), analysts expect further rate cuts of 25 bps in April and another 25 bps in June.
- Lower repo rates will reduce home loan EMIs, offering relief to borrowers with floating-rate loans.
If you have a credit score above 800, consider negotiating better interest rates with your bank or switching lenders if the difference is at least 35-50 bps.
Review Your Insurance Needs
Ensuring adequate health and life insurance is crucial, especially with rising healthcare costs.
- Choose a health insurance plan based on your age, family history, and medical expenses in your city.
- If you have dependents, consider a term life insurance policy and add critical illness and personal accident coverage for extra protection.
Since COVID-19, health insurance premiums have skyrocketed, with some policyholders seeing increases of up to 200% over the past decade.
- 53% of customers faced premium hikes below 10%, while 5% saw increases over 30%, according to a Policybazaar.com study.
As life events like marriage or childbirth occur, update your policy to cover new family members.
- New parents should add their newborn to their health insurance for comprehensive protection.
- If your portfolio has traditional endowment plans, consider switching to better investment-linked options.
Spend Wisely and Maintain Financial Discipline
Enjoying life’s luxuries is important, but smart money management is key.
- Set a budget, track your expenses, and maintain a balance between spending and saving.
- Regularly review bank and credit card statements to detect fraud or unauthorized charges.
- Keeping a high credit score will help you secure loans at lower interest rates.
If you hold multiple credit cards, cancel inactive ones to avoid unnecessary renewal fees and potential misuse.
When planning holidays, book early to secure the best deals.
- Use credit card rewards and travel benefits to cut down travel costs.
For more detailed financial planning, check out Moneycontrol’s Financial Year 2025-26 Money Calendar. Download or print a copy to keep track of important financial deadlines and milestones throughout the year.
