The whole country is celebrating Akshaya Tritiya on 19th April 2026 i.e. today Sunday. Small investors are once again considering bullion (gold and silver) as a preferred option for making wealth. Considered one of the most auspicious occasions in the Hindu calendar, this festival is considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that buying gold on this day brings long lasting wealth. From the last Akshaya Tritiya till now, i.e. in one year, gold prices have given a return of 63 percent. This is one of the strongest rallies for gold in recent cycles. This surge in gold prices has come due to geopolitical uncertainties, continuous buying by central banks and strong investment demand. It also indicates how important gold (the yellow metal) is as a core asset for a long-term portfolio.
According to data compiled by Kedia Advisory, gold prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) have consistently performed well around Akshaya Tritiya. During this period, returns have ranged from 2.5 percent in 2021 to 63.4 percent in 2026 (April 17). Apart from this, strong returns of more than 47 percent in 2020, 21.5 percent in 2024 and 30.3 percent in 2025 have also been seen. Despite intermittent ups and downs, experts believe that gold has given very good returns to investors during this period. This has further strengthened gold's reputation as a reliable and long-term investment, which is also in line with traditional buying trends.
Axis Securities has said in its report that a clear trend of increase in gold returns has been seen around Akshaya Tritiya. This emphasizes how tremendous the potential of gold to increase wealth through compounding (interest on interest). Taking a long view from 2016 to 2026, Axis Securities has stated in its report that gold has achieved a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 18 percent during this festive period.
According to the brokerage firm, this steady rise in prices highlights how capable gold is of creating wealth over time. Additionally, the pattern of double digit returns in recent times also shows that investors' interest still remains, further increasing the attractiveness of gold as a long-term investment option. MCX gold rate has increased from approximately Rs 94,611 per 10 grams on April 30, 2025 to Rs 1,54,609 per 10 grams by April 18, 2026 — an increase of Rs 59,998. This means that there has been a huge profit of about 63.4 percent during this period.
NS Ramaswamy, Head of CRM and Commodities, Ventura Securities, said in the Mint report that by the next Akshaya Tritiya, there is every possibility of the MCX gold rate increasing to around Rs 2 lakh per 10 grams. He expects MCX gold prices to increase by 15 percent to around Rs 1,75,000 by the end of December 2026. Ramaswamy said that during Akshaya Tritiya, customer behavior generally leans towards a “value over volume” strategy rather than just a FOMO (fear of missing out) spree, especially when gold prices are at record highs. Instead of heavy jewellery, buyers often turn to gold coins, bars or light jewelery (18-karat), to maintain the tradition of shopping within their budget limits on this auspicious day.
Ramaswamy further said that the Indian gold market has now entered a phase of structural recalibration, as domestic prices crossed the important milestone of Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams in early 2026. This level is more than just a psychological barrier. This is a fundamental change in the valuation scale for fund managers and a turning point for retail buying potential, which has shrunk due to a 69 per cent increase in the average size of household purchases compared to the last festive cycle.
According to NS Ramaswamy, the gold market is currently witnessing a clear “value vs volume” paradox, with record-high yields despite a sharp decline in physical demand. In 2025, gold prices rose 46 percent year-on-year—the largest annual increase in nearly 47 years—while tonnage volumes declined 31 percent in the third quarter. Despite this decline in volumes, revenues grew 23% in rupee terms due to higher prices. He also said that in January 2026, the price of gold had reached a peak of about Rs 1.8 lakh for 10 grams, which shows the strength of the ongoing rise in prices.
Mohit Gulati, CIO and Managing Partner of ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, said in a Mint report that after the 63 per cent rise, people ask me if I am worried about gold. I'm not — I'm more concerned about the dollar. As long as the fiscal deficit continues to grow and trade policy remains uncertain, gold is not just a trade, but a position. He said that by the next Akshaya Tritiya, the price of gold can reach Rs 2,00,000, there should be no surprise in this.
