The Economic Times' article, published on January 5, 2026, provides a comprehensive guide to '10 smart money moves' for Indian investors in the new year. The recommendations align with expert opinions on navigating the evolving financial landscape of 2026. One major claim is the importance of **global diversification**. Financial experts advise Indian investors to diversify internationally to mitigate currency depreciation risks and preserve long-term purchasing power. Strategies include investing in international stocks, mutual funds, and utilizing the GIFT City framework. Historical data suggests that an equity portfolio balanced between the Nifty 50 and the S&P 500 can offer superior returns with reduced volatility. The article also emphasizes a **large-cap focus** for domestic investments. In late 2025, large-cap stocks were noted to have more reasonable valuations compared to their mid and small-cap counterparts. Experts anticipate large-caps will deliver steadier returns, supported by robust corporate earnings and strong balance sheets in 2026. **NPS upgrades** are highlighted as a crucial element of smart retirement planning. Significant reforms to the National Pension System in 2025, continuing into 2026, include allowing 100% equity allocation, reducing mandatory annuitization to 20%, and enabling investments in gold and silver. These changes offer greater flexibility and potential for enhanced corpus growth. Additionally, a new framework permits Scheduled Commercial Banks to manage NPS, fostering increased competition and subscriber benefits. Finally, **AI adoption** is identified as a key theme for investment and productivity. India is strategically positioned to lead in AI development and application, with substantial government investments under the IndiaAI Mission and the establishment of Centres of Excellence. AI is expected to transition from experimental use to practical, secure integration across sectors, driving economic growth and creating investment opportunities. The headline's accuracy is confirmed; it is a standard financial advice article that discusses generally accepted investment themes for the year. The article's claims are corroborated by multiple credible financial news outlets and expert opinions, indicating no significant misinformation or exaggeration regarding these broad strategies.