Budget 2026

Despite criticism over gaps in farm support, Budget 2026-27 sharply raises allocations for fisheries, animal husbandry and cooperation, underlining the growing role of allied sectors

The Tamil Nadu government has earmarked Rs 47,248 crore for the Agriculture Department in the Interim Budget for 202627, and welfare schemes for farmers will continue, Minister MRK Panneerselvam said on Tuesday. In 202526, the government had allocated Rs 45,661 crore, he said while presenting the Agriculture Budget in the State Assembly. The ruling DMK government, after assuming office in May 2021, introduced a separate Agriculture Budget for 202122. Panneerselvam said that, based on inputs received from various stakeholders, a total allocation of Rs 1.94 lakh crore has been made for the agriculture and allied sectors over the last five Agriculture Budgets. "As the agriculture sector forms the foundation of Tamil Nadu's economic growth, this government is making sustained and determined efforts to modernise the sector, enhance farmers' incomes, increase production and productivity, and ensure food and nutritional security," he said. The state minister for agriculture and Farmers'

Madhya Pradesh's Economic Survey forecasts 11.14% GSDP growth, rising per capita income and broad-based gains across sectors, while keeping the fiscal deficit at 4.6% for 2025-26

Presenting the Interim Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu on Tuesday said the union government appears to leave no stone unturned to artificially precipitate a fiscal crisis in Tamil Nadu. Making Budgetary allocations and explaining the flagship schemes of the government and its impact, the Minister said in a federal polity, there were several instances in the past where states had been unfairly treated by the union government. He further said: "However, I firmly believe that the extent of challenges faced by this government is unprecedented. In every field, be it denial of sanction of major infrastructure projects for Tamil Nadu, withholding of release of funds for centrally sponsored schemes, curtailment of tax revenues without due consultation, or unfair imposition of conditions to mandate expenditure, the union government appears to leave no stone unturned to artificially precipitate a fiscal crisis in Tamil Nadu." He listed the ...

The Union Budget 2026 proposal for a high-level banking reforms committee comes as the RBI strengthens its internal regulatory review process, sharpening focus on coordination across regulators

In an unusual move, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Monday concluded his address to the state Legislative Assembly within two minutes, skipping a portion of the speech over what he termed as "comments on a constitutional institution". Speaking at the start of the Budget Session of the Assembly, the governor said he would not read paragraph 3 to 16 of the prepared speech. "I think there are comments on the constitutional institution from paragraph 3 to 16 and I do not think I should read it," the governor told the House. He noted that the address from paragraph 17 onwards contains government achievements which would be subject to deliberation upon by the legislators. Earlier, the governor informed the House that the session has been convened for passing supplementary demands for grants for the year 2025-26, the budget for the financial year 2026-27 and for important legislative business. The skipped portion of the address focused on the revenue deficit grant (RDG). "

From SME funding and services-led growth to tax tweaks and tourism, Nirmala Sitharaman's record ninth Budget signalled where public spending and policy are headed in FY27

These FTAs are tools to ensure that our youth are not just suppliers to the domestic market but active participants in global trade and growth, says PM Modi

The government is free to change the law for the future. But changing the tax outcome of past investments weakens confidence in the stability of the system

The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview with PTI was "no interview" and claimed that it was a "carefully scripted" as well as "desperate PR exercise". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh further alleged that, being "under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal", the prime minister is now resorting to his "favourite tactic" of headline management. "The PM knows that this year's Budget has been a damp squib and shows every sign of intellectual exhaustion. Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed. Hence, he feels the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and a few days after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament," Ramesh said. "As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality," the Congress leader said. Ramesh claimed that Modi is trying to divert attention away from his "betrayal" of lakhs of farmers and

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday invited citizens to actively participate in shaping the state budget 2026-27 by sharing suggestions, ideas and feedback, stressing that the government aims to make the process more inclusive, participatory and people-centric. In a message shared on social media, the chief minister called on people from all sections of society to contribute their inputs as the state prepares its annual financial roadmap. He emphasised that public participation is key to building a stronger, progressive and inclusive Arunachal Pradesh. "As we prepare the Arunachal Budget 2026-27, the government of Arunachal Pradesh invites valuable suggestions, ideas, and feedback from all citizens," Khandu said in a post on X. He urged people to be active partners in the development process. Highlighting the importance of collective effort in governance, the chief minister added, "Let us work together to build a stronger, inclusive, and progressive Arunachal.

The government has positioned infrastructure as a multiplier for private investment, job creation and long-term productivity growth, moving beyond consumption-led spending towards asset creation

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday asserted that Maharashtra will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the Union Budget 2026-27, citing provisions made for infrastructure, railways and industry, which will have a direct impact on the state's growth. Speaking to reporters here about the Union Budget, the commerce and industry minister said Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are major destinations for data centres as subsea cables land there, which would attract foreign direct investment and generate employment. "The budget provides Rs 12.21 lakh crore for infrastructure development. Projects such as Vadhawan Port, the new airport and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will benefit Maharashtra. A rupee spent on infrastructure gives a return of Rs 3 to Rs 3.5. This will boost economic growth and reduce logistic costs," he said. He pointed out that the budget focuses on the MSME and manufacturing sectors through credit guarantee schemes, renewable energy use and expansion of cloud services. Goyal s

Plans refining push in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; lithium recycling capacity to rise to 300,000 tonnes in five years; magnet recycling capacity to increase 100-fold in two years

Spending on health and education as percentage of GDP is modest and below policy targets

Finance minister says Budget aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, citing strong growth and low inflation as a "Goldilocks moment" for the economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the Union Budget, saying she gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's budget will contribute to the nation's economic transformation. Sitharaman, in her speech, said the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. In a post on X, Modi said, "In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's Budget will contribute to our nation's economic transformation. She emphasised Reform Express, the support to MSMEs, skilling, push to next-gen infrastructure, efforts to boost healthcare, education and more." The finance minister said the effective capital expenditure rises to Rs 17.1 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fis

Sitharaman said since the FY27 Budget was the first Budget in the second quarter of the 21st Century, there has been some investments which will have bearing on the long term

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. According to the revised estimate, the size of the Budget for the current fiscal is Rs 49.64 lakh crore, lower from Rs 50.65 lakh crore estimated in February 2025. The Budget for fiscal 2024-25 was at Rs 46.52 lakh crore. Total expenditure is pegged at Rs 53.47 lakh crore in the next fiscal, much more than tax receipts, she said in reply to a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. The government aims for tax receipts of Rs 44.04 lakh crore, 8 per cent higher than the previous year. Talking about capex, she said, the government has made the highest-ever allocation of Rs 12.2 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fiscal discipline and has projected the fiscal deficit at 4.3 per cent of the GDP or Rs 16

Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Wednesday presented a Rs 9.13 lakh crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the state Assembly, marking an increase of about 12.2 per cent over the previous year's outlay. Tabling the Budget before the House, Khanna said the state government is always fully committed to fiscal management and debt control. In accordance with the recommendations of the 16th Central Finance Commission, which have been accepted by the Centre, the fiscal deficit limit for the financial year 2026-27 has been set at three per cent. This will remain in effect until 2030-31. Referring to the allocations made for major items, Khanna said, "The allocations for education and health are 12.4 and six per cent of the total budget, respectively. Furthermore, the amount allocated for agriculture and allied services is nine per cent of the total budget." Emphasising that capital investment and infrastructure development play a vital role in strengthening the ...