Business
Do You Invest In Gold? One Wrong Choice Can Reduce 50% Of Your Returns
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Among the available options, Sovereign Gold Bonds are widely regarded as the most tax-efficient way to invest in gold for long-term investors
SGBs offer an annual interest of 2.5%, paid separately from the appreciation in gold prices.
Gold prices are on a remarkable upswing, delivering returns of nearly 80% over the past year. An investment of Rs 1 lakh made a year ago would today be worth around Rs 1.8 lakh, making gold one of the strongest-performing assets in the current market. Unsurprisingly, investors are increasingly turning to the yellow metal to capitalise on the rally.
However, financial experts warn that choosing the wrong mode of investment in gold can significantly erode returns, with taxes eating away 30-50% of profits in some cases. With gold investment no longer limited to jewellery, coins or bars, newer instruments such as Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs), Gold ETFs, gold mutual funds and digital gold have reshaped the investment landscape, offering better efficiency and, in many cases, lower tax liability.
Among the available options, Sovereign Gold Bonds are widely regarded as the most tax-efficient way to invest in gold for long-term investors. Issued by the Centre, SGBs offer an annual interest of 2.5%, paid separately from the appreciation in gold prices. The bonds have a maturity period of eight years, and the biggest advantage lies in taxation; capital gains on redemption at maturity are completely tax-free.
The annual interest income, however, is taxable as per the investor’s income tax slab. If the bonds are sold before maturity, capital gains tax applies, short-term capital gains if sold within one year, and long-term capital gains at 12.5% thereafter.
Gold ETFs and gold mutual funds are considered the next best alternatives, particularly for investors seeking liquidity and market-linked exposure without holding physical gold. In the case of Gold ETFs, gains are taxed as long-term capital gains at 12.5% if the units are sold after 12 months. For gold mutual funds, the long-term holding period is 24 months. Selling either instrument before the specified period attracts short-term capital gains tax, which is added to income and taxed according to the applicable slab, potentially as high as 30%.
Physical gold, whether in the form of jewellery, coins or bars, remains the least efficient option from a returns perspective. Investors must pay 3% GST at the time of purchase, a cost that immediately reduces effective returns. Digital gold purchases also attract the same GST. If physical or digital gold is sold after 24 months, long-term capital gains tax of 12.5% applies without the benefit of indexation. Selling before 24 months results in short-term capital gains tax as per the income tax slab.
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January 15, 2026, 17:29 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
Business
Gold price today: How much 22K, 24K gold cost in Delhi, Patna & other cities – Check rates – The Times of India
Gold prices climbed to a fresh lifetime high in the domestic market on Thursday amid sustained buying by jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.Gold advanced by Rs 800 to hit a new peak of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending gains for the fifth consecutive session. The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.Since the start of 2026, gold prices have surged Rs 9,600, or around 7 per cent, supported by persistent demand in the physical market. In overseas trade, spot gold slipped USD 12.22, or 0.26 per cent, to USD 4,614.45 per ounce, after having touched a record high of USD 4,643.06 per ounce in the previous session.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Chennai today
In Chennai, 22K gold costs Rs 13,290 per gram, up Rs 10, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,498 per gram, higher by Rs 10.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
In Ahmedabad, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Kolkata today
Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 22K gold costs Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad sees 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Patna today
In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Lucknow today
Lucknow markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
One of Britain’s most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times over a two-year period, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
He will be sentenced next month.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”.
He pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri’s lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned.
They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional.
But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been “no abuse of this court’s process”.
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