Gold prices in India have experienced a remarkable increase of 60% since the last Akshaya Tritiya festival in April 2025, reaching around ₹150,000 per 10 grams. After peaking above ₹180,000 in January 2026, prices have seen a 16% decline as investors took profits amid inflation concerns and rising crude oil prices. Despite this pullback, analysts believe that gold remains a solid asset to hold due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and central bank buying. However, they advise against aggressive lump-sum purchases, suggesting that investors consider staggered buying strategies to mitigate risks. The demand for gold ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on April 19, remains firm, although high prices have tempered aggressive buying from retail consumers. Analysts predict that while the pace of price increases may slow, the long-term outlook for gold remains positive, especially in uncertain global conditions.