Budget 2026

With India's senior population rising, industry executives want wider NPS tax benefits and simpler pension rules in Budget 2026

SBI Research expects Budget 2026 to focus on fiscal discipline, managing rising debt, steady borrowing and higher capital spending amid global uncertainty and volatile markets

Tech analysts Drumil Vithlani of Bonanza and Aakash Shah of Choice Equity Broking decode trading strategy in Apex Frozen Foods, Rallis India, Coromandel and Tata Consumer Products ahead of Budget 2026

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the government is moving on the path of 'Reforms Express', benefitting the poor and middle class, and the historic next-gen GST reform rolled out last year has ensured savings of Rs 1 lakh crore for citizens. In her address to both Houses of Parliament, Murmu also said the government has revamped the Income Tax law and taken a "historic decision" to exempt income of up to Rs 12 lakh from taxation. "These reforms are providing unprecedented benefits to poor and middle-class families. It has also given a new impetus to the country's economy," Murmu said. The new and simplified Income Tax Act 2025 has been enacted and will be implemented from April 1, 2026. In the 2025-26 Budget presented on February 1, last year, the government had increased the income tax exemption threshold to Rs 12 lakh from Rs 7 lakh earlier. "Today, my government is moving forward on the path of 'Reforms Express'. Old rules and provisions are being updated continuously

Budget 2026-27 breaks new ground, but delayed GDP rebasing and continued fiscal secrecy risk undermining its numbers within weeks

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday urged parliamentarians to stand united on the resolve for Viksit Bharat, campaign for swadeshi as well as national security, asserting that these were matters beyond all differences. Addressing a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, which marked the start of the Budget Session, she said the government will continue to accelerate the momentum of "reform express" and listed various economic and social initiatives taken to make India a developed nation by 2047. Murmu said the world saw the valour of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor when they destroyed terror camps on the strength of their own resources and asserted that any terror act will be responded with decisive action. India has proved that power can be used with responsibility and wisdom, she said. "Amid different opinions and diverse viewpoints, there has been unanimity about nothing being greater than the nation," Murmu said, addressing the Members of Parliament (MP

President Droupadi Murmu's reference to the VB-G RAM G Act in her address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on Wednesday sparked protests from opposition parties which raised slogans demanding a roll back of the law. In her address, the President said the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) would provide guarantee for 125 days of work, and would also stop corruption and leakages. She also asserted that it would provide a new impetus to rural development. While the President's mention of the VB-G RAM G Act was welcomed by treasury benches by thumping of desks, Opposition members raised slogans demanding roll back of the law. President Murmu paused during her address as the opposition raised slogans like "vapas lo" (roll back the Act). The Act is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Opposition parties are demanding the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restoration of MGNRE

The forthcoming Budget would incorporate the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission which has already submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. The Finance Commission, which has been set up under the Constitution, provides a formula for devolution of taxes between Centre and states. Cesses and surcharge levied by Centre are not part of the divisible pool. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that gives suggestions on Centre-state financial relations and is set up periodically. The 16th Finance Commission, headed by former Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Arvind Panagariya, was set up on December 31, 2023. Led by Panagariya, Finance Commission members - Retired bureaucrat Annie George Mathew, economist Manoj Panda, SBI Group Chief Economic Advisor Soumya Kanti Ghosh and RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar - and Secretary to the Commission Ritvik Pandey submitted its report to Murmu on November 17, 2025. The Commission also presented a copy of the report to Prime

The rise, driven by large debt maturities of about ₹5.5 trillion, comes as heavy state government issuance pushes up yields

Parliament's Budget Session begins as longer sittings contrast with limited debate on expenditure and fewer bills introduced and passed in recent years

Opposition parties demand discussion on SIR, MGNREGA

Market watchers expect capital market reforms to reverse FPI flows

The Budget should consider moving to a residence-based tax regime, exempting foreign investors from long-term capital gains tax

As Budget 2026 approaches, policymakers and industry leaders weigh how India's infrastructure push may evolve - balancing capex momentum, fiscal discipline and private investment

The FY27 Union Budget will test India's shift to a debt-based fiscal framework as tax risks, Finance Commission changes, capex priorities and election pressures shape policy choices

With falling crop prices, slowing farm income growth and pressure on subsidies, the Union Budget for FY27 is expected to focus on agriculture reforms, rural spending and cooperatives

With many income tax incentives already expired or approaching sunset, 34% of respondents said they expected the government to bring back a manufacturing-linked lower tax rate regime

As the Union Budget approaches, India’s bond market is bracing for its biggest supply challenge yet.

Buying a home in India is getting harder, not easier. Prices are up, EMIs are stretched, and “affordable housing” often isn’t affordable anymore.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday participated in a traditional 'halwa' ceremony, marking the final stage for the preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27, to be unveiled on February 1 in the Lok Sabha. The ceremony took place at the North Block on Raisina Hill, the old address of the Finance Ministry, as the new premises at the Kartyava Bhawan-I do not have a printing press. The Finance Minister and most of her team were shifted from the iconic and majestic North Block to the modern central secretariat office housed in Kartavya Bhawan in September 2025. The ceremony is a customary ritual in which traditional dessert 'halwa' is prepared and served to officials and staff members of the finance ministry who are involved in the preparation of the budget. The 'Halwa ceremony' precedes the 'lock-in' of the officials involved in preparation of the Union Budget, an official statement said. Maintaining the tradition, it was organised in the basement of North Block, which was .