Commenting on Budget 2026, Sarbendra Sarkar, Managing Director & Founder, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said the policy direction highlights a push to strengthen India’s tourism and hospitality sector through building a skilled talent ecosystem and improving service standards. The focus on developing a hospitality talent hub and professional guide training is expected to support workforce development. Measures such as digital destination platforms and creator-led tourism promotion are aimed at strengthening marketing outreach and boosting tourism demand across regions.
Union Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Proposes Tax, Customs Changes, High-Speed Trains, Defence Boost
Union Budget 2026 India Updates: Track FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech, key tax changes, income tax updates, sector impact, and expert analysis as India’s Union Budget unfolds in real time.
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Sakshi AroraLast Updated: 01 Feb 2026 11:13 PM
Background
Union Budget 2026 Updates: Budget Day has arrived. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 today, Sunday, February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget speech in Parliament. The presentation...More
Union Budget 2026 Updates: Budget Day has arrived. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 today, Sunday, February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget speech in Parliament. The presentation is historically notable, it is the first time in at least a decade that the Union Budget is being tabled on a Sunday.Stay with ABP Live throughout the day for real-time updates, expert reactions and sector-wise analysis as Budget 2026 unfolds live from Parliament.Budget Day: What Happened TodayThe Finance Minister delivered the Union Budget speech at 11 AM before both Houses of Parliament. The Budget Session had begun on January 28 and was scheduled to continue until February 13, with the second leg planned from March 9 to April 2.Ahead of the presentation, the traditional Halwa ceremony was held on January 27 at North Block, marking the finalisation of the Budget documents. Officials involved in drafting then entered the customary ‘lock-in’ phase.The Economic Survey 2026 had been tabled on January 29, providing an overview of India’s economic performance and policy challenges ahead of the fiscal blueprint.Watch Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Where and How to Watch FM The Broader Economic ContextBudget 2026 is being presented at a time when India continues to project strong growth momentum compared with other major economies. However, policymakers must also navigate global uncertainty, shifting trade alignments, inflation management, and fiscal consolidation commitments.Industry observers will be closely tracking capital expenditure allocations, fiscal deficit targets, direct tax announcements, and policy signals for manufacturing and infrastructure. Artificial intelligence, automobiles, defence, electronics, MSMEs, renewable energy, railways and urban development are expected to feature prominently.Agriculture, healthcare, logistics and tourism are also on the radar as stakeholders look for targeted interventions and funding clarity.Real Estate: Tax Reforms And Liquidity Under The SpotlightFor the real estate sector, expectations centre around improving affordability and unlocking liquidity.Shorab Upadhyay, Managing Director of TRG Group, indicated that the industry is looking for income tax relief that puts more disposable income in the hands of homebuyers. According to him, a revision in tax slabs and higher exemption limits could stimulate demand. He also underscored the need to revisit deductions on home loans, noting that current caps do not fully reflect rising property and construction costs. From a developer standpoint, he suggested that easing capital gains norms and shortening the holding period for long-term capital gains tax could encourage reinvestment into fresh housing supply. Rationalising GST and improving input tax credit mechanisms, he added, would further enhance affordability.Anurag Goel, Director at Goel Ganga Developments, framed housing as critical infrastructure rather than merely an asset class. He pointed out that while PMAY-Urban 2.0 and significant housing commitments demonstrate intent, policy fine-tuning is now essential to ensure supply matches ambition. Measures such as rationalising GST on under-construction homes, revisiting affordable housing price thresholds and extending targeted tax benefits for buyers, particularly in Tier 1.5 and Tier 2 cities, could unlock sustainable urban growth, he observed. Greater policy clarity, in his view, would enable developers to invest confidently in high-density, transit-oriented and environmentally sustainable projects.Cybersecurity: Safeguarding India’s Digital MomentumAs India’s digital economy scales rapidly, cybersecurity is emerging as a parallel priority.Mandar Patil, Senior Vice President, Sales at Cyble, noted that while initiatives such as Digital India, CERT-In, the National Cyber Security Policy and the IndiaAI Mission have strengthened the foundation, the next phase must focus on advanced threat intelligence and skilled cyber talent. He emphasised that sustained public-private collaboration and targeted investments would be crucial to securing national infrastructure and citizen data, thereby reinforcing trust in India’s digital ecosystem.
Budget 2026 Focuses On Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Fiscal Discipline Says Rahul Jain
Rahul Jain from Nuvama Wealth Management said, “Budget 2026 continues to prioritise manufacturing and infrastructure, reinforcing the government’s agenda for growth and employment. While largely a continuation of existing policies, it provides clarity for investors by keeping STCG and LTCG unchanged and aligning buyback taxation with capital gains. With capital expenditure raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore and net borrowing at ₹11.7 lakh crore, the Budget balances fiscal discipline with long-term growth. Overall, it is a measured, forward-looking Budget, positive for infrastructure, railways, manufacturing, and capex-linked sectors.”
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Indranil Pan Calls Budget 2026 Pragmatic, Growth-Focused
Indranil Pan, Chief Economist at YES Bank, said the Union Budget 2026 continues the reform trajectory from last year, focusing on inclusive growth and boosting production across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. He noted increased capital expenditure of ₹1 trillion, with allocations for high-speed rail, waterways, and coastal cargo, and measures to reduce dependence on imports. Pan highlighted support for MSMEs, electronics manufacturing, and rare earth initiatives as steps toward self-reliance. While fiscal consolidation is maintained, he flagged high gross borrowings of ₹17.2 trillion as a potential concern for the debt market.
Budget 2026 Gives Strong Push To Manufacturing, Infrastructure, MSMEs Says Abhyuday Jindal
Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless, said the Union Budget 2026 lays out a growth-focused roadmap aimed at strengthening India’s economic momentum, emphasizing self-reliance, long-term resilience, and sustainability. Stainless steel plays a vital role in nation-building sectors due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and long lifecycle cost advantages. The Budget’s infrastructure push opens new opportunities for the manufacturing sector to contribute meaningfully. Continuation of basic customs duty exemptions on critical input materials is a positive step, while support measures for MSMEs, including the SME Growth Fund, Self-Reliant India Fund top-up, and simplified compliance, will strengthen the entire manufacturing value chain.”
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'Growth & Governance Take Time': Nirmala Sitharaman On How Budget Is Shaped
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India’s pace and style of growth, along with the government’s approach to governance, often mean that certain decisions take time to materialise. She explained that the budget-making process is extensive and consultative, formally beginning around late October or November each year. During this period, the Finance Ministry invites a wide range of stakeholders—including industry bodies, businesses, domain experts and economists who closely track the Indian economy.
According to Sitharaman, these groups are called in batches, where they interact directly with officials from the Finance Ministry. Their suggestions, concerns and recommendations are carefully heard and examined before decisions are taken. She emphasised that this structured and inclusive consultation process reflects the government’s commitment to informed policymaking, even if it requires patience and time to deliver outcomes.
Budget 2026 Aims To Build Resilient Tourism Ecosystem, Says Manoj Bhat
According to Manoj Bhat, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd the Union Budget 2026 underscores the government’s intention to position tourism and hospitality as key drivers of balanced economic growth, rather than viewing them merely as consumption-led sectors. The emphasis on developing destinations beyond major cities, strengthening physical connectivity, and expanding spiritual and heritage circuits signals a clear push towards more inclusive and regionally distributed tourism growth.
Equally significant is the focus on skilling and workforce development. As tourism expands into tier-two and tier-three markets, the availability of trained talent will be critical to maintaining service quality and ensuring long-term sustainability. By aligning infrastructure development with human capital investment, the Budget lays the foundation for a resilient, employment-driven tourism ecosystem.
Budget 2026 Moves Indian Manufacturing From Intent To Capacity, Says Vinod Kumar
Vinod Kumar, Partner and Leader – Manufacturing, PwC India, said the Union Budget 2026 marks a key shift in Indian manufacturing, moving from policy intent toward tangible capacity creation. He noted that while India’s manufacturing sector has historically underperformed due to structural, regulatory, and infrastructural bottlenecks, the Budget’s focus on scaling select sectors, reviving legacy industrial clusters, and strengthening MSMEs is a step in the right direction.
Kumar highlighted targeted support for rare earth minerals, chemicals, textiles, and container manufacturing as measures aimed at addressing competitiveness gaps and securing critical inputs. The proposal to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters recognises that productivity gains will increasingly come from better utilisation of existing assets. MSMEs are positioned as industrial enablers through initiatives like the ₹10,000 crore Champion MSME Fund and high-tech tool rooms to strengthen capital goods and supplier ecosystems.
Budget 2026 Reworks Buyback Tax, Targets Arbitrage Misuse, Says Rajesh Gandhi
Rajesh H. Gandhi, Partner, Deloitte India, said Budget 2026 has reintroduced taxation on buyback proceeds under capital gains, allowing investors to pay tax only on net profits rather than on the entire buyback amount as dividend income. He noted that under the earlier framework, investors were taxed on full proceeds and then had to claim capital losses equivalent to the share acquisition cost, which increased the overall tax burden, especially for long-term investors and HNIs.
He said the revised framework corrects this imbalance and makes buyback taxation more rational and equitable. The change could also make buybacks relatively more attractive, as dividends continue to be taxed at applicable slab rates. Further adding that to prevent misuse of buybacks as a tax arbitrage route, the Budget has introduced additional capital gains tax for promoters, taking the effective tax rate to around 22% for domestic corporate promoters and about 30% for others.
Budget Boosts Infra Capex, Lifts Construction Equipment Demand Outlook, Says Dheeraj Panda
Mr. Dheeraj Panda, Managing Director, Ammann India, said the Union Budget strengthens infrastructure and manufacturing as key drivers of India’s next growth cycle, with central capital expenditure crossing ₹12 lakh crore. He noted that plans for seven new high-speed rail corridors, multimodal logistics networks, freight-linked infrastructure, and stronger urban connectivity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are expected to increase demand for high-performance, technology-driven construction equipment.
He added that long-term project visibility will help the construction equipment sector plan capacity expansion, technology upgrades, and localisation strategies with greater confidence. MSME-focused steps such as faster payment cycles, improved credit access, and cluster revival are also expected to help smaller contractors modernise equipment and adopt advanced construction technologies.
'Empty Budget, Technical Jargons Only': Dimple Yadav Slams Govt Plan
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav criticised the Union Budget, calling it “empty” and filled with technical language that, she said, is difficult for common people to understand. She alleged the Budget fails to address key sectors such as women’s welfare, youth employment, production, healthcare, education, and agriculture. Yadav described the overall approach as pessimistic and lacking meaningful relief or direction for ordinary citizens.
Budget Infra Push, Supply Chain Focus To Support Auto, EV Ecosystem Says Balbir Singh Dhillon
Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said the Union Budget’s strong focus on infrastructure and capital expenditure is expected to support the growth of India’s mobility sector. He noted that better highways and improved intercity connectivity, particularly across Tier-II and Tier-III cities, are strengthening the ecosystem for luxury car ownership and usage. He added that the government’s push for fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability, and ease of doing business will help build long-term investor confidence in the automotive sector. Dhillon also highlighted initiatives such as rare earth corridors and the progress of ISM 2.0 under the India Semiconductor Mission as crucial steps toward building resilient domestic supply chains and a technology-driven manufacturing base to support the future of automotive and electric mobility in India.
Budget 2026 Strengthens MSME Funding, Boosts Manufacturing & Infrastructure Growth, Says Manish Shah
Manish Shah, MD & CEO, Godrej Capital, said Budget 2026 marks a strong push for MSMEs and manufacturing by improving access to working capital through a strengthened TReDS platform. He noted that initiatives such as the MSME Growth Fund and the expanded Self-Reliant India Fund will help small businesses access capital and scale operations.
He added that schemes like the National Fibre Scheme and textile sector expansion aim to modernise traditional value chains, while initiatives such as She-Marts are designed to boost women-led entrepreneurship and improve economic participation. Shah also highlighted that continued infrastructure development, particularly along rail corridors, is expected to drive real estate and affordable housing demand in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Overall, he said the budget focuses on improving liquidity, strengthening financial institutions, and supporting long-term, sustainable growth.
Budget Introduces Total Return Swaps, Boosts Bond Market Liquidity, Says Priyashis Das
Mr. Priyashis Das Chief Executive Officer, Northern Arc Securities said that Budget 2026 signals a structural shift in India’s debt markets with the introduction of Total Return Swaps and a formal market-making framework, steps that could meaningfully improve liquidity in corporate bonds. These measures expand participation by allowing investors to access bond exposure without direct ownership, while strengthening secondary market depth.
The ₹100 crore incentive for large municipal bond issuances is equally important. By nudging cities towards capital markets funding, the Budget is encouraging stronger fiscal discipline and more accountable urban governance.
'Black Day For Himachal Pradesh': CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Calls Budget A 'Big Blow'
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu criticised the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG) for hill states following the presentation of the Sixteenth Finance Commission report, calling it a major setback for the state’s interests. He said Himachal Pradesh, which is largely hilly, has depended on RDG support since 1952 and argued that removing it ignores the unique financial challenges of hill states. Sukhu also raised concerns over reduced import duty on apples from New Zealand, saying it could impact local farmers, and flagged the loss of taxation powers after GST implementation. He urged the Centre to either provide a share in profits generated from state resources such as hydropower or compensate states for ecological services, calling the move to discontinue RDG a serious concern for the state.
Sumit Mitruka Focuses On High-Speed Rail, Trekking Corridors Seen Boosting Northeast Tourism Economy
Commenting on the Budget-linked infrastructure and tourism measures, Sumit Mitruka, Founder & CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said improved high-speed rail connectivity to Siliguri could transform travel access to the Northeast, making destinations across Sikkim, North Bengal and the wider region more attractive for domestic and international tourists. Faster and more reliable connectivity is expected to reduce travel fatigue, support longer stays, improve viability of off-beat destinations, and encourage long-term investment in tourism infrastructure.
He also noted that plans to develop new trekking routes could unlock the Northeast’s high-value experiential tourism potential. Structured trekking corridors, designed with safety, sustainability and local participation, are expected to create livelihood opportunities for local communities, including guides, porters and homestay operators, while helping distribute tourist footfall beyond overcrowded destinations.
Budget Pushes Tourism Demand Via High-Speed Rail, Connectivity Boost, Says Ritwik Khare
Commenting on Budget 2026, Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO of ELIVAAS, said the policy direction highlights tourism growth through improvements in infrastructure, mobility and travel affordability. The announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and reduce travel time, encouraging more frequent and shorter leisure trips. Faster rail connectivity is also seen as offering a cost-effective alternative to air travel, potentially expanding tourism demand to a wider customer base.
Budget Pushes Renewable Energy, Capex, Grid Modernisation & Energy Security, Says Girish Tanti
Commenting on the Union Budget 2026, Girish Tanti, Co-founder & Vice Chairman, Suzlon Group, and Chairman, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), said the Budget highlights continued focus on growth and economic stability amid global uncertainty. Higher capital expenditure of around ₹12 lakh crore and increased energy sector spending are expected to support infrastructure and long-term sustainability goals. The emphasis on renewable energy expansion, grid modernisation, and energy security is seen as supporting India’s energy transition. Policy measures encouraging domestic manufacturing, research and development, and innovation through production-linked incentives and tax benefits are aimed at strengthening self-reliance. Bond market reforms are also expected to support broader economic growth and investment momentum.
Budget Boosts Industrial Capex, MSME Liquidity, Logistics & Manufacturing Competitiveness, Says Mukund Vasudevan
Commenting on the Union Budget 2026–27, Mukund Vasudevan, MD SKF India (Industrial) Limited and President – India, Southeast Asia and Middle East said that the policy direction is seen as supporting industrial growth through higher public capital expenditure of around ₹12.2 lakh crore while maintaining fiscal discipline. The focus on improving financial access, technology adoption, and competitiveness is aimed at strengthening long-term industrial capacity and global competitiveness. Investments in freight and industrial corridors and logistics upgrades are expected to reduce costs, strengthen supply chains, and improve manufacturing efficiency. MSME-focused measures such as the Growth Fund and expansion of the TReDS ecosystem are aimed at improving liquidity and access to capital. Overall, the Budget is seen as reinforcing localisation, encouraging private investment, and supporting resilient industrial growth.
Budget Pushes Industry-Linked Education, AI, Quantum & STEM Inclusion, Says Kushal Raj Chakravorty
Commenting on the Budget, Kushal Raj Chakravorty, Founder & Managing Trustee, Lotus Petal Foundation, said the policy direction highlights stronger integration of education with industry through measures such as the creation of University Townships along industrial corridors to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and innovation. The proposed ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ (EEE) Standing Committee aims to better align education outcomes with future workforce needs, including addressing disruptions from AI. The focus on women in STEM, upskilling Divyangjan, and scaling AI and National Quantum Mission initiatives is aimed at strengthening skill development, innovation capacity, and global competitiveness.
Budget Pushes Industry-Linked Education, AI, Quantum & STEM Inclusion, Says Kushal Raj Chakravorty
Commenting on the Budget, Kushal Raj Chakravorty, Founder & Managing Trustee, Lotus Petal Foundation, said the policy direction highlights stronger integration of education with industry through measures such as the creation of University Townships along industrial corridors to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and innovation. The proposed ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ (EEE) Standing Committee aims to better align education outcomes with future workforce needs, including addressing disruptions from AI. The focus on women in STEM, upskilling Divyangjan, and scaling AI and National Quantum Mission initiatives is aimed at strengthening skill development, innovation capacity, and global competitiveness.
Arunabh Sinha Signals Support For MSME Growth Fund, Corporate Mitras Push In Budget
Commenting on the Union Budget 2026–27, Arunabh Sinha, Founder & CEO, UClean, said the Budget signals support for MSMEs and entrepreneurs through measures such as the ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, additional support for self-reliance-focused funds, and risk capital for micro-enterprises to help businesses scale beyond the early stage. The introduction of ‘Corporate Mitras’ in Tier II and Tier III cities is aimed at helping smaller businesses navigate compliance requirements more effectively. He said the overall policy direction balances growth, employment generation, and long-term stability for the MSME ecosystem.
‘Sankalp Se Siddhi For Viksit Bharat 2047’: BJP’s Nitin Nabin Hails Manufacturing Push In Budget
BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Sunday hailed the Union Budget 2026–27, describing it as a “Sankalp se Siddhi” step towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He praised the proposals aimed at strengthening the manufacturing sector, saying they would create new employment opportunities. Nabin welcomed the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, noting that it reflects policy continuity and governance stability, and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development. He said the Budget highlights economic resilience, pointing to India’s growth rate of around 7 per cent despite global uncertainties, along with efforts to control inflation.
He also described the Budget as youth-focused, citing measures to promote manufacturing, along with allocations such as ₹40,000 crore for semiconductors and ₹10,000 crore for biopharma, which he said could help generate new employment opportunities.
Healthcare Allocation Rises Marginally; Biopharma, Medical Tourism Get Push, Says Vishal Bali
Commenting on Budget 2026, Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman, Asia Healthcare Holdings, said the healthcare sector allocation has increased marginally from ₹99,858 crore in 2025 to ₹1,04,599 crore in 2026, indicating that public healthcare spending as a share of GDP remains relatively low compared to global levels. The ₹10,000 crore allocation aimed at developing India into a global biopharma manufacturing hub over five years is expected to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector. Plans to create five regional medical tourism hubs and strengthen the regional Ayush ecosystem are seen as steps towards expanding India’s global healthcare footprint. The reduction in import duty on cancer drugs has also been highlighted as a positive move amid rising oncology cases. However, overall healthcare spending is seen as falling short of addressing the widening demand-supply gap and rising medical technology import costs.
Arijeet Talapatra Highlights Electronics Manufacturing, Semiconductor Push In Union Budget
Arijeet Talapatra, CEO at itel India, said the Union Budget 2026 signals a push towards strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem and positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub. Higher allocation under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme is expected to boost localisation, strengthen value chains, and improve cost competitiveness of consumer electronics. The announcement of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 is seen as a step towards building self-reliance in critical technologies. He also noted that the focus on infrastructure development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities could drive consumer-led growth by improving access, distribution efficiency, and last-mile connectivity.
'Nothing For Poor': PM Kharge Criticises Budget 2026, Calls It 'Failure'
Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised the Budget proposals, alleging they fail to address key economic challenges, offer little relief to vulnerable sections, and provide no clear roadmap to tackle youth unemployment. He said the Budget lacks fresh ideas and does not outline concrete measures to address inflation, joblessness, declining household savings, and rising inequality. Reacting to the Budget presented by the PM Modi govt, Kharge said it raises more questions than answers on India’s major economic, social and political challenges, and fails to present clear steps to control inflation or support the poor.
Budget Bets Big On AI, Deep Tech, SME Fund To Boost Startup, Says Rashida Vapiwala
Commenting on the Budget, Dr. Rashida Vapiwala, Founder and CEO of LabelBlind, said the focus on emerging technologies such as AI as key growth drivers signals strong support for India’s startup and MSME ecosystem. The proposed ₹10,000 crore fund for small and medium enterprises is expected to help high-potential SMEs scale operations, adopt new technologies, and strengthen long-term competitiveness. . With expanding trade opportunities through FTAs, AI-led regulatory compliance is expected to play a key role in helping Indian companies meet global standards and compete internationally.
Budget Pushes Manufacturing Ecosystems, MSME Credit, Village-Based Industries, Says Tarun Poddar
Commenting on Budget 2026–27, Tarun Poddar, CEO of Foxhog Ventures, said the Budget signals a push towards an inclusive, manufacturing-led economy, with measures such as expanding support for MSMEs, increasing credit guarantee cover to boost funding access, and investments in sectors like biopharma, semiconductors, rare earth supply chains, and value-added textile manufacturing to build integrated production ecosystems. The policy direction also highlights opportunities for traditional food processing and agri-based manufacturing linked to rural economies, aimed at strengthening grassroots manufacturing and expanding global competitiveness.
‘Blind Budget’: Rahul Gandhi Attacks Announcement, Says Crisis Not Acknowledged
Rahul Gandhi slammed the 2026 Budget, saying it ignores key crises including rising youth unemployment, falling manufacturing, investors pulling out capital, declining household savings, distress among farmers, and looming global economic shocks, calling it a “blind Budget” that refuses course correction.
Mamata Banerjee Slams Budget 2026, Says 'Zero Paisa For Bengal'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused the Centre of withholding funds meant for the state following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Her remarks came even as Sitharaman announced several major infrastructure proposals, including seven high-speed rail corridors across the country. Among them is a proposed high-speed rail link between Varanasi and Siliguri. The Finance Minister also said the government plans to set up new dedicated freight corridors, including one connecting Dankuni in West Bengal with Surat in Gujarat.
Reacting to the announcements, Banerjee alleged that the central government was spreading “blatant lies” and continued to deny West Bengal its rightful share of funds. She also criticised the Centre over issues related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), accusing it of failing to clear pending dues to the state.
Budget Emphasises Education, Skilling & Women’s Access to Higher Learning, Says Amit Gainda
According to Amit Gainda, Managing Director & CEO of Avanse Financial, the Union Budget 2026 focuses on accelerating growth, promoting inclusive development, and strengthening long-term economic foundations, with particular emphasis on employment-led growth, private-sector participation, and investment in people. Education and skilling are highlighted as key drivers of sustainable growth, including expanding higher and medical education capacity, establishing Centres of Excellence for skilling and AI in education, strengthening innovation labs, improving digital access to schools, and setting up girls’ hostels in every district to promote women’s education. The policy also emphasises stronger alignment between education and workforce needs, scaling educational institutions while maintaining quality, aligning curriculum with evolving skills, and enhancing collaboration between lenders, educational institutions, and skilling centres.
AI Push Gets Industry Backing, Bharat Vistar Platform Seen As Boost For Agriculture
The Union Budget 2026’s strong emphasis on artificial intelligence has drawn positive industry response, with experts calling it a decisive step towards positioning India as a global technology leader.
Commenting on the announcements, Vishal Mehta, Chairman & MD, Avenues AI Ltd, said the enhanced allocation for the IndiaAI Mission underlines the government’s intent to embed AI at the heart of services-led growth. He highlighted the proposed Bharat Vistar platform as a key reform for agriculture, noting that a multilingual, AI-enabled system integrating AgriStack and scientific practices could significantly raise farm productivity and enable data-driven decisions.
According to him, the measures will accelerate AI adoption across sectors, strengthen public-private partnerships, and unlock opportunities in agritech, fintech and enterprise technology, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive innovation economy.
Credit Guarantee Mechanisms Introduced To Manage Lender Risks For PPP Projects, Says Manish Sharma
Reacting to Budget 2026, Manish Sharma, Sector Leader – Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics, PwC India, said that capital expenditure growth is expected to moderate to around 11% in FY26 and 9% in FY27 after rising over 30% between FY23 and FY25, with the focus shifting to better project execution, while credit guarantee mechanisms are being introduced to manage lender risks for public-private partnership projects, the launch of seven new high-speed rail corridors and Dedicated Freight Corridors aims to expand infrastructure though timely execution will depend on firm state commitments on land, access, and security.
Budget 2026 Aftermath Sees Bloodbath On Dalal Street, Sensex Crashes Over 1,500 Points
The BSE Sensex settled the session near 80,700, crashing more than 1,500 points, and the NSE Nifty50 ended the day at 24,825, taking a hit of nearly 500 points.
Capex Focus Could Drive Real Estate Growth In Tier-2 Cities Like Jaipur
Reacting to Union Budget 2026, Nikhil Madan, MD, Mahima Group, said the overall tone appears “largely lukewarm”, but the continued push on capital expenditure offers reason for cautious optimism.
He noted that sustained investments in transport, logistics, urban mobility and regional connectivity could accelerate real estate momentum in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Madan added that steady policy direction and targeted urban upgrades are gradually enhancing liveability while unlocking fresh residential and mixed-use opportunities. As economic activity spreads beyond metros, housing demand is likely to broaden, creating a more resilient and diversified growth path for the real estate sector.
'Seven Rare Diseases In Import Exemption List': Nirmala Sitharaman On Allocation
According to Nirmala Sitharaman, seven additional rare diseases have been included in the import duty exemption list. She also added that enhanced duty-free allowances are being provided for baggage and personal items brought during travel, along with several new proposals for direct and indirect taxes.
Manufacturing, Critical Minerals And Cancer Drug Relief Take Centre Stage, Says Grant Thornton
Reacting to Budget 2026, Sohrab Bararia, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the government has prioritised economic expansion across key industrial and strategic sectors.
He highlighted renewed thrust on biopharma manufacturing hubs, Semiconductor ISM 2.0, electronic component manufacturing, rare earth minerals, chemical parks, capital goods, container manufacturing, textiles (man-made and technical), global sports goods, champion MSMEs and ship repair.
The Budget includes measures to strengthen domestic lithium-ion battery production for mobiles and EVs, add products to the capital goods exemption list, and provide BCD exemptions on critical minerals not available locally. In healthcare, customs duty relief on 17 cancer drugs and expanded duty-free imports for rare disease treatment aim to reduce patient burden.
Bararia added that GST and customs reforms, including automated export clearances and amended Place of Supply rules, will boost trade efficiency and IT competitiveness.
Budget 2026 Backs Investment-Led Growth, Signals Fiscal Discipline
In his reaction to Budget 2026, Prof Vishwanathan Iyer of Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, said the government has reaffirmed its focus on disciplined, supply-side growth rather than short-term demand boosts.
He noted that the continued public capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore provides stability to the investment cycle, while the fiscal deficit target of 4.3 per cent of GDP underlines a clear commitment to macroeconomic stability.
According to him, this calibrated approach is significant at a time of elevated global interest rates, a strong dollar and volatile capital flows. However, the absence of a broad consumption push suggests growth will remain investment-driven in the near term. For markets, he said, the framework is credible and steady, though returns may be gradual rather than dramatic.
Urban Capex Push To Boost Metro Redevelopment, Says Modis Navnirman CFO
Mahek Modi, Whole-Time Director & CFO of Modis Navnirman Limited, said the government’s continued focus on urban infrastructure and capital expenditure-led growth sends a strong signal for metropolitan redevelopment.
He noted that the record-effective capital expenditure outlay of Rs 17.14 lakh crore, alongside sustained emphasis on urban development, underscores the Centre’s commitment to improving connectivity, civic amenities and redevelopment across major cities.
Modi also highlighted the Rs 25.43 lakh crore total transfers to states in FY27, calling it a significant fiscal boost for urban renewal, particularly in densely populated cities such as Mumbai where ageing housing stock requires urgent attention.
'Technology Drives 21st Century, We Don't Want To Miss..': Nirmala Sitharaman On Budget Allocation
Nirmala Sitharaman also spoke about reforms being implemented and will continue to create an environment that boosts productivity and generates employment. As the 21st century is driven by technology, we will ensure it is leveraged to benefit the common man.
Budget 2026 A ‘Mature Balancing Act’ Between Fiscal Prudence And Growth
Jairam Sridharan, MD & CEO of Piramal Finance, said Budget 2026 continues the twin pillars that have shaped recent Union Budgets: fiscal discipline and strong infrastructure spending.
He noted that the fiscal deficit has narrowed consistently from 9.2% during the Covid year to 4.4% last year, and now further to 4.3%. At the same time, capital expenditure has climbed steadily from about Rs 5.5 lakh crore during the pandemic to over Rs 11 lakh crore last year, and now beyond Rs 12 lakh crore.
Sridharan observed that the Budget signals a subtle shift from purely physical infrastructure towards productive manufacturing and employment creation. He described Budget 2026 as “a mature balancing act” between long-term investment priorities, deficit management, job generation, and capital market stability.
Finance Bill Proposes NAAR Function Shift, GST Relief For Intermediary Services
The Finance Bill 2026 proposes an amendment to Section 101A of the CGST Act concerning the constitution of the National Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (NAAR), noted Charanya Lakshmikumaran, Executive Partner at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys.
As NAAR has not yet been set up, the amendment enables the government to assign its functions to an existing authority. The provision clarifies that such an authority may include “a Tribunal”, leaving open the question of which current indirect tax tribunal may take on the role. In a separate development aligned with the 56th GST Council’s recommendation, the Bill proposes scrapping Section 13(8)(b) of the IGST Act. This would allow intermediary services provided to foreign entities to qualify as ‘export of service’, shifting the place of supply to the recipient’s location and easing GST-related ambiguity and burden.
Infrastructure Push In Budget To Accelerate Viksit Bharat, Says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Budget includes a range of measures aimed at strengthening India’s infrastructure and laying a solid economic foundation for cities. He highlighted initiatives such as dedicated freight corridors, expansion of waterways, high-speed rail corridors, focused development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and a push for municipal bonds. Modi said these steps will collectively accelerate growth and increase the pace of progress towards a Viksit Bharat.
Budget 2026 Offers Growth Push With Fiscal Discipline, Says Axis Max Life CEO
Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Sumit Madan, MD & CEO, Axis Max Life Insurance, said the Budget lays out a credible roadmap that balances growth ambitions with fiscal responsibility as India advances towards its Viksit Bharat goal.
He highlighted the focus on Tier II and Tier III cities, high-speed rail networks and East Coast industrial corridors, noting that these infrastructure “growth connectors” could create new economic clusters with rising disposable incomes and stronger demand for protection-led life insurance products.
Madan added that recent insurance reforms have steadily improved transparency, customer confidence and protection coverage. Measures such as the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund and the expansion of REITs and InvITs, he said, will help de-risk long-term projects and attract patient capital.
According to him, the Budget provides the macro stability needed to channel household savings into nation-building assets.
Conservative Tone, Services Push In Focus, Says Axis MF CIO
Ashish Gupta, CIO at Axis Mutual Fund, described Budget 2026 as measured and fiscally cautious. He noted that the government has projected a narrower fiscal deficit based on nominal GDP growth of around 10 per cent and tax growth of about 8 per cent, signalling calibrated assumptions.
Unlike the previous Budget, which delivered a strong consumption and manufacturing boost through GST reductions, this year’s focus appears to shift towards services. Gupta highlighted targeted support for high-growth segments such as data centres, electronics manufacturing, and long-term capacity building via education and skilling initiatives, reinforcing the self-reliance theme.
For markets, he termed the outcome a mixed one. While tax stability offers comfort, higher STTs and the borrowing roadmap could weigh on sentiment.
Budget 2026 Advances Reform Agenda, Strengthens Inclusive Growth Vision
Thomas John Muthoot, Managing Director of Muthoot FinCorp Ltd., said Budget 2026-27 reflects a steady continuation of structural reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, marking a clear shift from stimulus-led expenditure to long-term policy transformation.
He noted that the Budget blends fiscal prudence with a strong push towards manufacturing, services expansion, digital public infrastructure and infrastructure-driven development. Emphasis on skilling initiatives and simplified tax systems, he said, reinforces the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap aimed at building a resilient and self-reliant economy.
Education-To-Employment Push, AVGC Labs In 15,000 Schools A Welcome Idea
Suresh Kalpathi, CEO of Veranda Learning, said the Union Budget 2026 reinforces the central role of education in driving employment and economic expansion.
He highlighted the proposed High-Powered Education–to–Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee, focused on the services sector and emerging technologies like AI, as a key step towards aligning academic pathways with real-world careers.
Kalpathi also welcomed the plan to establish Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, calling it recognition of India’s growing creative economy.
He further noted that university townships near industrial corridors and girls’ hostels in STEM institutions across districts could enhance access and industry integration. If executed effectively, he said, these measures could strengthen employability and support India’s Viksit Bharat ambitions.
ISM 2.0 Gets Rs 40,000 Crore Boost, Rare Earth Corridors To Power Local Manufacturing: CRISIL
India’s Semiconductor Mission 2.0 has been strengthened with a revised outlay of Rs 40,000 crore aimed at accelerating the country’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem, according to CRISIL. A key feature of the plan is the creation of dedicated rare earth corridors across four states to support domestic processing of critical minerals required for advanced technology production.
By improving access to essential raw materials, the move is expected to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and enhance manufacturing resilience. CRISIL noted that the development will particularly benefit the automotive sector, which depends heavily on semiconductor components, and could help advance India’s push towards self-reliance in high-tech manufacturing.
Data Centre Tax Holiday Till 2047 Seen As Boost For Digital Economy, DPDP Compliance
In a major policy signal for India’s digital infrastructure push, Shashank Karincheti, Co-founder & CPO of Redacto, described the data centre tax holiday till 2047 as a turning point for the country’s digital ecosystem.
He noted that incentivising foreign cloud providers to process data within India, including a 15 per cent safe harbour for related-party services, addresses a long-standing compliance challenge under the DPDP Act. According to him, enterprises earlier faced a difficult choice between leveraging global cloud scale and meeting localisation norms.
However, he cautioned that hosting data locally is only the first step. Strong consent frameworks, third-party risk oversight and clear accountability mechanisms will remain critical once DPDP enforcement gathers pace.
MSME Cluster Revival And Rs 10,000 Crore Fund Can Boost Competitiveness
Reacting to the proposal to revive 2,000 industry clusters and create a Rs 10,000 crore MSME growth fund, Mukesh Pandey, Director of Rupyaa Paisa, said the move sends a strong message about strengthening India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to him, cluster-based development improves productivity by enabling shared infrastructure and generating local employment opportunities. At the same time, access to dedicated growth capital can help MSMEs expand operations, modernise processes and embrace technology.
He noted that the twin focus on structural support and financial backing directly addresses key pain points faced by small businesses. If executed efficiently, the initiative could improve competitiveness, accelerate formalisation and widen credit access for MSMEs, while contributing meaningfully to India’s manufacturing ambitions and long-term job creation goals.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Defence Budget Sees Record 15% Jump, Capital Outlay Up 22%
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a sharp increase in defence spending in the Union Budget, raising the allocation by nearly 15 per cent to ₹7.85 lakh crore. Of this, ₹2.19 lakh crore has been earmarked for capital expenditure, marking a record 22 per cent rise, aimed at weapons procurement and modernisation of the Army, Air Force and Navy in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. In comparison, the defence budget for 2025–26 stood at ₹6.81 lakh crore, including ₹1.80 lakh crore for capital spending. Over the past decade, annual increases in defence allocations have typically remained in the 9–10 per cent range.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Sports Goods And Retail Sector Applauds Manufacturing Push
Arun Malhotra, founder of Brandman Retail, says the Union Budget 2026 delivers a strong push towards sports goods manufacturing, innovation and affordability, aligning with India’s expanding active lifestyle culture. He notes that support for high-quality domestic production and wider access to modern equipment will empower athletes while creating new opportunities for the retail ecosystem. Malhotra adds that the measures strengthen momentum to bring world-class sports gear closer to Indian consumers.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Steel Sector Welcomes CCUS Funding To Drive Low-Carbon Transition
Harsh Bansal, managing director of BMW Industries, says the Union Budget 2026–27 takes a significant step for the steel sector by proposing a ₹20,000 crore outlay over five years for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies. He says the move acknowledges steel’s role in infrastructure growth while addressing its carbon intensity, helping companies cut emissions and align with India’s net-zero by 2070 goal. Bansal adds that support for CCUS can lower adoption costs, boost global competitiveness and improve access to export markets increasingly focused on low-carbon manufacturing.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Education, AI Sector See Budget Push Aligning Skills With Viksit Bharat Vision
Prof. Subir Verma, director of the FORE School of Management, says the Budget’s emphasis on long-term structural reforms strengthens the Viksit Bharat vision, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key growth driver. He notes that as the economy becomes more technology-led, education must shift from rigid curricula to skills-based ecosystems aligned with industry needs. “AI-enabled platforms can support personalised learning, continuous upskilling and stronger academia–industry linkages,” Verma says, while stressing that AI adoption must remain ethical, inclusive and accessible.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: No Change In Income Tax Slabs; Exemption Limits Retained In Budget 2026-27
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced no changes to income tax slabs in the Union Budget 2026–27, keeping the tax structure unchanged for the coming financial year and offering no fresh relief to individual taxpayers.
The basic exemption limit has been retained, with salaried individuals below 60 years paying no tax on income up to ₹4 lakh under the revised tax regime for FY 2025–26. Income between ₹4 lakh and ₹8 lakh will be taxed at 5 per cent, ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh at 10 per cent, ₹12 lakh to ₹16 lakh at 15 per cent, ₹16 lakh to ₹20 lakh at 20 per cent, ₹20 lakh to ₹24 lakh at 25 per cent, and income above ₹24 lakh at 30 per cent.
The standard deduction for salaried employees has been raised to ₹75,000, while the rebate under Section 87A will continue for net taxable income up to ₹12 lakh, effectively keeping such income tax-free.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Duty-Free Fishing Proposed To Boost Deep-Sea And High-Seas Fisheries
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will take steps to help Indian fishermen unlock the economic potential of marine resources beyond territorial waters. She announced that fish caught by Indian fishing vessels in the exclusive economic zone or on the high seas will be made duty-free, while landing such catch at foreign ports will be treated as an export of goods. Sitharaman added that safeguards will be put in place to prevent misuse during fishing, transit or transhipment.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: National Institute of Hospitality to Be Set Up Through NCHMCT Upgrade
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will establish a National Institute of Hospitality by upgrading the existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Customs Duty Exemptions Proposed For Cancer Drugs And Rare Diseases
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will exempt basic customs duty on 17 drugs and medicines to provide relief to patients, particularly those battling cancer. She also proposed adding seven more rare diseases to the list eligible for duty-free personal imports of drugs, medicines and specialised food used in their treatment.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: IT Services To Be Unified Under Single Category With Common Safe Harbour Margin
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India’s software development, IT-enabled services, knowledge process outsourcing and contract R&D services are closely interconnected and will be grouped under a single category called Information Technology Services. She announced that a uniform safe harbour margin of 15.5 per cent will apply across all these services.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Dividend Income Tax Exemption Proposed for Notified Cooperatives
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a three-year tax exemption on dividend income received by notified cooperatives on investments made up to January 31, 2026.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Banking And Power Finance Reforms Proposed To Support Viksit Bharat Vision
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed setting up a high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat to review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth. She also announced plans to restructure Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation to strengthen financing for the power sector.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Cloud Services Sector Welcomes Tax Holiday Push To Boost Data Infrastructure
Maulik Doshi, managing director–tax at Nexdigm, says the proposal to offer a tax holiday until 2047 for foreign cloud service providers setting up data centres in India is a significant step towards strengthening digital infrastructure.
He notes that the move, aimed at global players serving international and Indian customers through local facilities or resellers, could drive data localisation, attract long-term investment and enhance data sovereignty. Doshi adds that extended tax certainty may encourage companies such as AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure to expand in India, supporting job creation and positioning the country as a global cloud services hub.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Buyback Proceeds To Be Taxed As Capital Gains, STT On Commodity Futures Hiked
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that buyback proceeds for all types of shareholders will now be taxed as capital gains. She also proposed increasing the Securities Transaction Tax on commodity futures from 0.02 per cent to 0.05 per cent in the Union Budget 2026–27.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Concessional Duty Proposed For SEZ Sales To Domestic Market
FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a special one-time measure allowing eligible manufacturing units in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to sell to the domestic tariff area at concessional duty rates, with the quantity of such sales capped at a prescribed proportion of their exports.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Stock Markets Bleed Post Sitharaman's Speech
The BSE Sensex crashed more than 2,300 points after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Budget 2026. As of 12:30 PM, the Sensex tested 80,700, crashing close to 1,600 points, and the Nifty inched closer to 24,800, taking a hit of more than 500 points.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Customs Duty Relief Proposed For Battery Storage, Solar Manufacturing
Centre proposes extending the basic customs duty exemption on capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion cells for batteries to include equipment for battery energy storage systems as well. FM Sitharaman also proposed a basic customs duty exemption on the import of sodium antimonate when used in the production of solar glass.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Setting Up Of National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid
The government will establish a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposing a digital platform to document sites of historical, cultural and tourist importance across the country.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Joint Panel For Income Computation and Disclosure Standards
The government has proposed forming a joint panel comprising the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the CBDT to supervise the implementation of Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (ICDS), with the objective of simplifying and streamlining tax compliance.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Duty On Imported Good For Personal Goods Reduced
FM proposes a reduction of duty on all goods imported for personal use from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Shoes, Batteries, Microwaves To Get Cheaper
FM proposes a basic customs duty exemption on manufacturing components of shoes, batteries, and microwaves.
The FM also proposes a custom duty expemtion in the import of leather.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: TCS Reduced On Liquor, Scrap And Minerals
TCS on alcoholic liquor, scrap and minerals will be rationalised to 2 per cent, while the rate on tendu leaves will be reduced from 5 per cent to 2 per cent.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Tax Holiday For Global Firms Setting Data Centres In India
A tax holiday until 2047 will be offered to global companies that provide cloud services to customers worldwide through data centres located in India, while services for Indian customers must be delivered through an Indian entity.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Reduction In TDS On Immovable Property Of NRIs
FM proposes a reduction in TDS on the sale of immovable property by non-resident Indians and deposited by resident buyers through a PAN-based challan.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Time Available For Revising Returns Increased
The time available for revising the Income Tax return has been increased from Dec 31 to March 31 with a nominal fee.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: TCS Cut Down On Overseas Travel
TCS rate decreased to 2 per cent from the current 5 and 20 per cent on overseas travel: FM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Motor Accident Interests To Be Exempted From Income Tax
Interest awarded by Motor Accident Claims Tribunals to be exempted from income tax, with the requirement of TDS on such amounts removed. The TCS rate on the sale of overseas tour programme packages will be reduced to 2 per cent, while TCS on remittances for education and medical purposes under the NRS will be lowered from 5 per cent to 2 per cent.
Fiscal Deficit Estimated At 4.3% Of GDP For 2026-27
Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that the government managed to fulfil the target of reducing Fiscal Deficit (FD) to below 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2025-26 financial year (FY26).
The Revised Estimated FD now stands at 4.4 per cent of GDP for 2025-26
The Budget Estimate FD for 2026-27 stands at 4.3 per cent of GDP.
Health Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Setting Up Of Mental Health Institutes, Trauma Centres
FM proposes setting up mental health and trauma care, including establishing NIMHANS 2 and upgradation of national mental health institutes.
Agriculture Budget 2026 Live Updates: Supporting Diversification Of Farm Output
To diversify agricultural production and boost farm incomes, support will be extended to high-value crops such as coconut, cocoa, cashew and sandalwood in coastal regions, along with the promotion of nut crops, including pine nuts, in hilly areas.
A dedicated programme will be launched for Indian cashew and cocoa, with the aim of developing them into premium global brands by 2030.
FM also proposes coconut promotion schemes in major coconut producing states.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Big Boost For Content Creators
FM proposes establishing ABGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) content creator labs in 1500 secondary schools and 500 colleges.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Investment Limit Proposed To Be Increased
Investment limit for individuals proposed to be increased from 5 to 10 per cent.
Overall investment limit to 24% from the current 10%
FM proposes raising the investment limit for individual PIO from 5% to 10%
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Girls Hostel In Every District Through Viability Gap Funding
One girls hostel will be established in every district through Viability Gap Funding: FM
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: 7 High Speed Corridors Between Cities As Growth Connectors
FM proposes seven high speed corridors between major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Varanasi.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Dedicated Waterways Freight Corridor Connecting Port Cities
FM Sitharaman proposes establishing new dedicated freight corridors connecting Dankuni in the East to Surat in the West. Operationalise 20 new national waterways over the next five years. Starting with National Waterways 5 in Odisha to connect mineral-rich areas of Talcher and Angul, and industrial centres like Kalinganagar to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra: FM
Training institutes will be set up as regional centres of excellence for the development of the required manpower for these waterways: FM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Infrastructure Development In Tier 2 And Tier 3 Cities
Public capex has increased manifold to Rs 11.2 lakh crore in BE2025-26. In FY27, an increase to Rs 12.2 lakh crore to continue the momentum: FM
Private developers - set up an infrastructure risk guarantee fund to provide a partial credit guarantee to lenders: FM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Capital Expenditure Boost To 12.2 Lakh Crore
FM Sitharaman proposes boosting capital expenditure to 12.2 lakh crore.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Establishment Of High-Tech Tool Rooms
FM proposes high-tech tool rooms to be established at two locations in a bid to give push to capital goods manufacturing.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Critical Mineral Facilities In Kerala, Odisha And Other Mineral Rich States
Centre proposes establishing critical mineral facilities to support mineral-rich states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Mission To Promote Khadi
FM Sithraman announces the launch of the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Mission to promote khadi handloom in the country.
Mega textile parks in challenge mode, can also focus on bringing value addition to technical textiles: FM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Mission To Promote Khadi
FM Sithraman announces the launch of the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Mission to promote khadi handloom in the country.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme Gets More Outlay
Centre hikes outlay to capitalise on Electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme to Rs 40,000 crore.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: ISM 2.0 - India’s Semiconductor Mission Launched
The Cabinet launches ISM 2.0 as India's semiconductor mission.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Intervention In 6 Areas For Accelaerated Growth
Sitharaman lists interventions in 6 areas for accelerated growth:
Scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic sectors
Rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors
Creating championing MSMEs
Powerful infrastructure
Long-term security and stability
Developing city economic regions
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Sustained Growth, Access To Resources Among Three Kartavyas
First Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, therefore, we are inspired by 3 Kartavya
Accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness
Fulfil aspirations of our people and build their capacity
Aligned with sabka sath, sabka vikas, is to ensure every family, community, region has access to resources and opportunities for participation
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Stability, Fiscal Discipline Mark Country's Economy
Since we assumed office 12 years ago, the country's economic trajectory has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation. This is the result of conscious choices we have made, even in times of uncertainty and disruptions: FM Sitharaman
Union Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES: FM Sitharaman Begins Budget Speech, All Eyes On Tax Reforms
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins Budget speech, watch here
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Gold Prices Remain Steady Ahead Of Budget
Gold prices have remained steady in the country ahead of the Union Budget. The prices touched record levels a day earlier.
Watch Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget speech here
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Cabinet Approves Union Budget
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Union Budget.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech LIVE: Finance Minister To Present Budget Shortly
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reached the parliament where the Cabinet will give its nod. Thereafter, Sitharaman will present the Budget in Lok Sabha.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: 'No Expectation From This Budget', Says Priyanka Gandhi
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi slammed the government ahead of the Budget saying she has no expectation from it.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates | Common Man Hopes For Relief But That Doesn't Happen: Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, “A budget comes every year, it has to. When the budget process begins, people across the country, the middle class, the poor, farmers, and workers, have expectations from it. The common people hope for some relief, but that does not happen. I have been observing for the past 10 years that budgets are framed for traders, industrialists, and the wealthy. As for the poor, there are only announcements made in their name. Once again today, we will see what kind of budget Nirmala ji presents.”
PM 's 'Reform Express' Will Move Forward Speedily: Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "It will be a historic budget. The PM's 'Reform Express' will move forward speedily towards Viksit Bharat."
Faster Clearances, Lower Stamp Duty Can Cut ‘Hidden’ Homebuying Costs, Says Executive
Samarth Setia, Founder of Rezio.ai, said Budget 2026 should focus on reducing the “hidden costs” that eventually inflate property prices for buyers. He noted that approval delays act like a “time tax”, increasing interest burdens and project overruns that raise per-square-foot costs.
According to Setia, time-bound single-window clearances and rationalised stamp duty can ease this friction. He also called for higher home-loan interest deductions for first-time and mid-income buyers, and an updated definition of affordable housing aligned with metro realities.
For developers, he stressed the need for predictable regulations and continued urban infrastructure spending. He further advocated fully digital, standardised RERA registration for brokers and stricter checks on unregistered agents. Regulating online listings through permit-based systems linked to state RERA, he added, could curb ghost listings and boost buyer confidence.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Budget Only For 5% Of People, Akhilesh Yadav Slams Govt
Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says," What expectations can we have from the budget being presented by the govt from whom we don't have any expectations?... In the last few budgets we have seen, it was for only 5% of the people. The govt should assess if it has fulfilled all the promises it had made."
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: PM Modi Reaches Parliament, Cabinet Meeting Shortly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Parliament and will chair the Cabinet meeting shortly.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES: GST Collection Gets Boost In January 2026
Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections reached Rs 1,93,384 crore in January 2026, marking a robust 6.2% growth over the same month last year, reports ANI quoting government sources.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Cabinet Meeting To Be Held At 10:30 AM
The Union Cabinet will hold a meeting at 10:30 am, where it will pass the Budget, after which it will be tabled in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Sitharaman Reaches Parliament, Cabinet To Give Its Nod
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Pankaj Chaudhary reach Parliament where the Budget will be proposed in front of the Union Cabinet.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: FM Sitharaman Leaves Rashtrapati Bhawan For Parliament
After handing the copy of the Budget to President Droupadi Murmu, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left the Rashtrapati Bhawan for Parliament.
NBFCs Seek Rural Credit Push, Refinance Support For MSMEs
As Budget 2026 draws closer, Deepak Aggarwal, Co-founder, Co-CEO and CFO of Moneyboxx Finance Limited, has called for sharper policy focus on rural and semi-urban MSMEs and first-time borrowers.
He said NBFCs now serve as the main channel for formal credit in these regions, funding agri-allied activities, small manufacturers and service businesses. A structured refinance window for MSMEs and priority-sector lending, he noted, would help ensure steady and affordable credit flow.
Aggarwal also emphasised the need for clearer recovery frameworks and simplified compliance rules to maintain lending momentum without increasing stress on borrowers. Granting regulatory and tax parity with banks, he added, would allow NBFCs to deploy capital more efficiently and strengthen grassroots economic growth.
FM Sitharaman Calls On President Murmu, Hands Her Budget Copy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called on President Droupadi Murmu ahead of her Budget speech. She handed her a copy of the Budget.
FM Sithraman, MoS Leave For Rashtrapati Bhawan
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary are on their way to Rashtrapati Bhawan to hand a copy of Budget to President Droupadi Murmu.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES: Sitharaman Leaves Finance Ministry With 'Bahi-Khata'
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left Finance Ministry with the digital copy of the Budget to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
Dalal Street Highly Volatile Hours Ahead Of Budget 2026
The Indian stock markets remained volatile ahead of Budget 2026. The BSE Sensex inched up 1 points to touch 82,271, and the NSE Nifty50 slipped close to 40 points and tested 25,300, as of 9:20 AM.
Markets To Remain Open Despite Sunday
Despite it being a Sunday, the Indian stock market will remain open today on account of the Union Budget, with normal trading taking place on both the BSE and the NSE.
The stock exchanges will conduct a regular live trading session, beginning at 9:15 am and continuing until 3:30 pm, in line with standard market hours.
However, as the day has been marked as a settlement holiday, shares purchased on January 30 cannot be sold on February 1. Similarly, stocks bought on Budget Day will not be eligible for sale on the following day.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES | 'India Is Coming In...': Trump On Oil Deal Ahead Of Budget
US President Donald Trump said, "China is welcome to come in and make a great deal on oil... We've already made a deal. India is coming in, and they're going to be buying Venezuelan oil as opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we've already made the concept of the deal..."
Union Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES: Budget Aligned With Vision Of 'Viksit Bharat'
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary says that today's Budget is aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
"Over the past 11 years, the Budgets presented under the leadership of the Prime Minister have reflected the aspirations of the people and have been aimed at taking the country forward. The Budget being presented today is aligned with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047," said the minister.
FM Sitharaman Leaves From Her Residence, MoS Reaches Finance Ministry
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves her residence to meet President Droupadi Murmu, where she will hand her a copy of the Budget 2026-27. Meanwhile, Minister of State Pankaj Choudhary has reached the Finance Ministry.
Realty Sector Seeks Higher Affordable Housing Cap, GST Relief
As expectations build around Budget 2026, the real estate industry is urging the government to realign tax policies with current urban housing costs.
Shiv Garg, Director, Forteasia Realty Pvt. Ltd., said the present Rs 45 lakh cap for the affordable housing category, along with the 1 per cent GST benefit, no longer reflects prevailing land and construction expenses across most cities. He suggested revising the affordable housing price bracket to Rs 80-90 lakh and cutting GST on works contracts from 18 per cent to 12 per cent to revive stalled projects and unlock fresh supply.
Garg also called for a larger allocation under PMAY-Urban and faster approvals, stating that such measures would support first-time homebuyers and accelerate the delivery of liveable, ready-to-move-in housing.
Healthcare MSMEs Seek PLI Boost, API Duty Cuts And Wider Insurance Cover
Steris Healthcare Chairman Jeevan Kasara has urged the government to use Budget 2026 to strengthen healthcare MSMEs and accelerate Atmanirbhar innovation.
He called for enhancing the PLI scheme for medical devices with a Rs 5,000 crore allocation and scrapping customs duties on over 50 critical APIs used in life-saving drugs. Kasara also proposed expanding Ayushman Bharat to include disability coverage and extending employer-backed health insurance to gig workers and MSME employees.
He recommended launching a “Health Shield” programme to protect 38 million MSMEs against climate risks and support GMP-compliant plants. Doubling the R&D tax deduction for pharma MSMEs to 200 per cent and fast-tracking BIS/FSSAI approvals, he said, could cut costs by 20-30 per cent and boost affordable healthcare access.
Industry Calls For Strong AI Push, Digital Skilling To Drive Jobs
Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, has urged the government to prioritise artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and research-led innovation in the Union Budget 2026, arguing that technology investments must translate into tangible job creation and productivity gains.
She said a sharper policy focus on AI, R&D and large-scale digital upskilling is essential if India wants to convert its tech momentum into sustainable economic growth. According to Sharma, enabling deep-tech startups, strengthening research ecosystems and building a future-ready workforce should be central to the government’s strategy.
“A strong policy focus on AI, data infrastructure, R&D and large-scale digital upskilling is critical to turning technology investments into jobs and productivity gains. This Budget must enable innovation at scale by supporting deep-tech startups, strengthening research ecosystems, and building a future-ready, employable workforce that can drive meaningful technology development & adoption across sectors,” she said.
Holistic Healthcare Sector Seeks Higher Spending And Preventive Focus
Shalini Shivdasani, founder and CEO of Reaviva Holistic Health, says Budget 2026 should raise healthcare spending meaningfully as a share of GDP, with stronger emphasis on preventive and holistic care. Calling for allocations closer to 3% of GDP, she says greater focus on wellness, mental health, nutrition and digital health can reduce long-term costs while building a more resilient population. Shivdasani adds that continued support for MSMEs and startups in the holistic health space is essential to drive innovation, affordability and wider access to quality care.
Manufacturing Sector Sees Depreciation Relief As Key To Modernisation
Darshan Shah, Managing Director of Harkesh Rubber LLP, says higher depreciation allowances could help accelerate machinery upgrades and technology adoption across manufacturing. “This can improve productivity and quality standards, enabling Indian manufacturers to compete globally,” he says, adding that consistent policy support for MSMEs, easier access to finance and incentives linked to manufacturing efficiency will be critical to strengthening the industrial base and supporting sustainable long-term growth.
Union Budget 2026 Live Updates | Fiscal Deficit, Capex And More...Key Numbers To Watch For
As the Centre tables the Union Budget today, here are key numbers to watch for
- Fiscal deficit: Difference between the government's total expenditure and total income. The fiscal deficit for the current fiscal year is estimated at 4.4 per cent of GDP.
- Capital expenditure: The expense incurred by the government for the creation of new assets in the country. For the current fiscal year, the government's capex is budgeted at Rs 11.2 lakh crore.
- Tax revenue: In the Budget for 2025–26, the government projected gross tax collections at ₹42.70 lakh crore, reflecting an increase of 11 per cent compared to FY25. Of this total, direct taxes, comprising personal income tax and corporate tax, were expected to contribute ₹25.20 lakh crore, while indirect taxes, including customs duties, excise duties and GST, were estimated at ₹17.5 lakh crore.
- Nominal GDP: For FY26, India’s nominal GDP growth, accounting for real output expansion along with inflation, was projected at 10.1 per cent, while the National Statistical Office (NSO) placed real GDP growth at 7.4 per cent. Subsequently, the nominal growth estimate has been scaled back to 8 per cent after inflation turned out to be lower than what was assumed at the time of the Budget.
Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: When And Where To Watch Budget 2026-27?
The Budget speech by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will begin at around 11 am. The speech can be viewed live on ABP News TV channel and ABP News YouTube channel.
The Budget speech can also be viewed on Sansad TV YouTube channel.
Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: When Will Union Budget Be Presented?
The Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented at around 11 am by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha.
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