Gold and silver futures opened sharply lower ahead of the Union Budget 2026, retreating steeply from record highs amid profit booking in domestic and international markets
Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget today, marking her ninth straight Budget; she continued her handloom tradition by wearing a maroon Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu
This will take Sitharaman closer to the record of 10 budgets that were presented by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai over different time periods
With the fiscal deficit set to fall below 4.5% of GDP in FY26, markets will watch the FY27 Budget closely for many key number including some clarity on the govt's roadmap to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio
As per established tradition, Sitharaman met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting her record ninth Budget in the Lok Sabha
This Budget is expected to outline higher spending on roads, ports and railways to maintain demand, create jobs and insulate the world's fastest growing major economy from external headwinds
The government is likely to aim for a fiscal deficit at 4.2 per cent of GDP for 2026-27, down from 4.4 per cent this fiscal year
To boost private investment and demand, govt has rolled out reforms in recent months, including income tax cuts, labour law overhauls and steps to open the tightly controlled nuclear power sector
Some economists believe Sitharaman may use the proven cash cow - petrol and diesel - to shore up revenues
Congress raises concerns as 2026-27 Budget figures may clash with new GDP series due Feb 27, complicating fiscal planning and state allocations under 16th Finance Commission
Sitharaman's Budget speech can be watched live on television, online platforms, and on the Business Standard website
CEA V Anantha Nageswaran says industry cannot be protected forever, backs reforms for sustained 7% growth, and stresses innovation and exports as key to India's economic future
One- and three-month performance strong on three occasions when markets fell 3% or more ahead of the Budget
Benchmark indices fell on Friday as metal stocks slumped sharply, while investors stayed cautious ahead of the Union Budget and amid sustained foreign fund outflows
With US, UK, Canada and Australia tightening rules, policymakers see a chance to position India as a credible study destination for foreign students
After presenting Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will interact with college students from across India to discuss its vision and youth impact
'Biggest health care burden is not hospitalisation but diagnostics and medicines,' they say
New Labour Codes are expected to boost women's workforce participation, narrow wage gaps and accelerate labour market formalisation, the Economic Survey 2025-26 said
Under the revised Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, the fiscal deficit target was below 4.5 per cent of GDP for 2025-26
Behind dense language, the Economic Survey 2025-26 lays out five clear arguments on growth, risk, manufacturing, governance and why stability now matters as much as speed