It’s smart to look at this given how things are moving in India. Gold ETFs are super convenient and flexible, but they don't give you those 80C tax benefits. If you’re moving away from things like PPF, reassessing is a good move. Just remember:

Gold provides immediate liquidity and favorable returns. Long-term debt funds provide better tax efficiency. Debt funds are generally safer for long-term investments. Choose based on immediate needs versus long-term goals.