Money Calendar 2025-26: Your guide to planning investments, taxes, loan repayments, & more

Moneycontrol's Financial Year 2025-26 Money Calendar

The first month of the financial year is the time to start your financial planning for the next 12 months.

In the fiscal year 2025-26, a lot is set to change. Budget 2025’s big bang tax bonanza will take effect now and is bound to benefit your finances. You must, hence, review your monies, reassess your goals, and scrutinise your investment portfolio.

Plan your investment strategy

India's equity markets have had a rocky start in 2025, with key indices like the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 falling 5.5  and 5.3 percent year-to-date (till March 13), respectively. The mid and smallcap indices have been hit harder and dropped 15.3  and 20.6 percent, respectively.

However, since March 15, the indices have staged a strong comeback, erasing their losses, and the Sensex and Nifty have climbed 4.98 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, as of March 28. Amid this volatility, mutual fund investors must adopt a long-term view when investing in equities.

Regularly review your portfolio to ensure balanced diversification across equities, debt, gold, and international investments. Adhere to your planned asset allocation to achieve your financial goals.

Consider starting a systematic investment plan (SIP) on April 1, or boost your existing SIP with a top-up, especially if you're anticipating a salary increment.

This is also the right time to update and verify the nominees for your bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies to ensure seamless transfers in case of unforeseen events.

Also read | Top money changes that will impact your wallet in April

Should you switch to the new tax regime?

Budget 2025 has changed  India's tax landscape significantly, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sweetening the new regime further to get individuals to switch out of the old regime.

The new regime offers substantial savings for individuals across various income brackets. For instance, those earning Rs 12 lakh per annum can save around Rs 83,200, while those with annual incomes of Rs 15 lakh, Rs 24 lakh, Rs 1 crore, and Rs 5 crore can expect tax savings of Rs 32,500, Rs 1.14 lakh, Rs 1.25 lakh, and Rs 1.43 lakh, respectively.

Financial planners, though, point out that while the new tax regime will slash your tax outgo substantially, you should resist the temptation to indulge in impulsive spending and prioritise long-term goal-based investments instead.

Also read | Old vs New: Which tax regime should you choose for FY26?

Good news, homebuyers — interest rates may continue to fall

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made a significant move in its February monetary policy meeting, slashing the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25 percent — a first in nearly five years.

With retail inflation dipping to a seven-month low of 3.61 percent in February, below the RBI's 4 percent target, IDFC First Bank Economist Gaura Sengupta anticipates additional monetary policy easing and forecasts a 25-bps rate cut in April, followed by another 25-bps reduction in June.

This will drive down your home loan interest rates that are linked with the repo, and borrowers will save on their interest outgo.

Further, if you have a strong credit profile with a credit score above 800, you may be able to negotiate a lower interest rate with your bank or explore switching to other lenders. You should consider a switch even if the difference between your current and new lender is as little as 35-50 bps.

Also read | RBI repo rate cut: Home loan rates dip, but new borrowers may miss full benefit

Review your insurance requirements

Prioritise adequate insurance coverage by regularly reviewing your health and life insurance needs. Start by securing adequate health coverage if you don't already have one, after taking into account your age, family medical history, and cost of healthcare in your city of residence, among other things.

If you have dependents, consider purchasing a term life insurance policy. Also, consider adding critical illness and personal accident coverage to your insurance portfolio for comprehensive protection.

Since COVID-19, health insurance premiums in India have surged, primarily due to escalating healthcare costs. A Policybazaar.com study revealed that 53 percent of its customers faced premium hikes below 10 percent on renewal. However, 5 percent of policyholders saw their premiums skyrocket by over 30 percent, with some experiencing increases of up to 200 percent over the past decade (2015-2025).

As you navigate life's milestones, such as marriage or parenthood, consider upgrading your health coverage to include your loved ones. For example, new parents can add their newborn to their policy, ensuring comprehensive protection for their growing family.

On the other hand, if your insurance portfolio is saddled with traditional endowment insurance policies, consider weeding them out.

Also read | You can now have up to 4 nominees for bank accounts. Here are the new rules

Spend wisely

Indulging in life's pleasures with your hard-earned money is justified, but be sure to do so responsibly. Set a budget, monitor your expenses, and strike a balance between enjoying the present and securing your financial future.

Regularly review your finances to detect any discrepancies or unauthorised activity. Maintaining a healthy credit score is crucial, as it can help secure loans at favourable interest rates from banks or non-banking financial institutions when you need to borrow.

If you have multiple credit cards, scrutinise your monthly statements and cancel inactive cards to avoid unnecessary renewal fees and prevent potential misuse.

Holidays are a must, but plan to book the best travel deals and vacation packages in advance. Use your credit card reward points and other privileges wisely to reduce the overall cost of leisure travel.

For more tips on putting in place a prudent financial plan, check out Moneycontrol's Financial Year 2025-26 Money Calendar! Download or print a copy and keep it handy - on your desk or saved on your mobile - to stay on top of important financial deadlines and milestones through 2025-26.