Indel Money Executive Director and CEO Umesh Mohanan recently shared insights on the changing role of gold in India during an episode of Simple Hai!, hosted by Vivek Law. The discussion focused on how gold in India is moving beyond tradition and emotion to become a practical financial tool that supports liquidity and inclusion.
India holds nearly 25,000 tonnes of household gold, much of which remains idle. Mohanan explained that global factors such as US economic trends, geopolitical tensions, central bank policies, and rising global debt now influence gold prices more than seasonal domestic demand. These factors have strengthened gold’s position as a stable asset in uncertain times.
He highlighted that only about 15% of household gold enters the gold loan pledge market, and a majority of this is still handled by unregulated moneylenders. Indel Money aims to change this by expanding regulated gold lending in Tier 2 to Tier 5 cities, helping households access safe credit while improving transparency and local economic activity.
Mohanan also spoke about how gold loans have shifted from being a distress option to a lifestyle finance solution used for education, business needs, agriculture, and home improvements. With longer loan tenures, customer education, and strong governance, Indel Money has built a model focused on trust, repayment discipline, and long-term relationships.
The conversation highlighted how structured gold loans are strengthening financial resilience across India.
Umesh Mohanan, Executive Director & CEO of Indel Money, joins Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Vivek Law on the Simple Hai! show to decode the real role of gold in times of crisis and why gold loans work differently from traditional credit.
Mohanan explains how gold continues to act as a reliable store of value, how global factors now drive gold prices, and why trust is central to the gold loan ecosystem.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced major changes to its withdrawal framework under EPFO 3.0, aimed at improving access, speed, and transparency for over seven crore members across India. The revised rules were approved during the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Under the new norms, members can withdraw up to 100% of their EPF balance, including both employee and employer contributions, subject to conditions. Thirteen earlier withdrawal rules have been consolidated into three broad categories—essential needs, housing needs, and special circumstances. Education withdrawals are now allowed up to 10 times and marriage withdrawals up to five times, with a minimum service period of 13 months for partial withdrawals. In special cases, members are not required to state reasons, though at least 25% of the balance must remain in the account.
The reforms also introduce automatic claim settlement under the Vishwas Scheme, reduced penal damages for delayed payments, and doorstep Digital Life Certificate services for pensioners.
Commenting on the update, Anoop C Nair, Head of HR at Indel Money, said the changes bring faster access, digital efficiency, and long-term retirement safeguards. While concerns remain around unemployment-linked withdrawal limits, the reforms are positioned as a balance between short-term needs and retirement security.
