Page 9 - Latest Updates on Budget 2025-26

Technology as a national priority amid rising AI investments worldwide

Meity has seen 50% increase in the Budget. While the fund allocation is crucial, several policy measures will have to be taken to ensure that investment in advanced manufacturing systems increases

48% startups have at least one woman director: Economic Survey 2025

However, on the flip side, the reins of entrepreneurial ownership remain dominantly male-held

Budget: 5-year extension of incorporation deadline brings cheer to startups

In her 2025 Budget speech, FM Sitharaman announced an extension in the period of incorporation for startups by five years till April 1, 2030

Budget curtails carry-forward losses for mergers and acquisitions

For all mergers effected on or after April 1, 2025, the losses can be carried forward only for the residuary period (counting from the date of loss)

Statsguru: Budget 2025-26 pushes demand, caps capital expenditure

A key driver of this effort is a demand push through cuts in personal income tax rates under the new tax regime

Right price, right time: Volatility unlocks opportunity, says Vikas Khemani

Government has chosen the path of the fiscal prudence which is again good, though market would have expected a bit of more loosening on the fiscal side, Khemani said

The after-Budget playbook: The six-month rocket fuel for market gains

In contrast, one- and three-month returns have been relatively flat, with the Nifty delivering average gains of just 0.1 per cent and 1.7 per cent, respectively, over the past decade

STT collection estimates: Building castles in the air on shifting sands

To secure fiscal targets, sustaining STT growth remains a high-wire act in a windy market

Best of BS Opinion: Union Budget 2025 aims to clear multiple hurdles

From nuclear power generation to agri reforms, from a noisy middle class to central bank's moves on interest rates, the government must jump over many obstacles to achieve its objectives

Boost for agriculture: Budget proposals will help farmers and consumers

In terms of Budget allocation, agriculture and its allied sectors have seen a healthy jump of about 22 per cent to about Rs 1.71 trillion

A Budget in search of the middle class: Tax cuts may not spur growth

Much to celebrate in this Budget, but don't assume tax cuts will spark a growth revival

Reduced FY26 outlay for P2M promotion concerns industry, say experts

Incentives to promote such digital payments slashed for 2nd year straight

Budget to boost exports, investments, MSMEs: Hi-Tech Gears chairman

A series of measures announced in the Budget such as steps to boost exports, investments, and promote MSMEs will help accelerate the country's economic growth, international trade expert and Hi-Tech Gears Chairman Deep Kapuria said on Sunday. He said that the focus on agriculture will help in raising farmers' income and give a big boost to rural demand. The budget has made provisions for enhanced credit availability and clean tech manufacturing for the MSME sector and it is fundamental as this segment is responsible for 45 per cent of India's merchandise exports, Kapuria said. "This budget is aimed towards accelerating growth, securing inclusive development, and invigorating private investments," he added. The proposal for an Export Promotion Mission will facilitate easy access to export credit, cross-border factoring support, and support to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff measures in overseas markets. "Besides, a digital public infrastructure, 'BharatTradeNet' for international trade

Budget duty cut on key inputs to boost exports, manufacturing: Commerce Min

The reduction in customs duties in the Budget on certain inputs from sectors like marine, chemicals and critical minerals will help promote domestic manufacturing and enhance exports, according to the Commerce Ministry. It has also said that the announcement to revamp the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide better leverage during FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations. The duty on frozen fish paste (Surimi) and fish hydrolysate for aquatic feed has been reduced to 5 per cent on both these products from the current 30 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. In the chemicals sector, the levy on pyrimidine and piperazine compounds was cut down to 7.5 per cent from the present 10 per cent; and reduced to 20 per cent on synthetic flavouring essences from 100 per cent. These compounds are used in various medicines. These essences are used to give a certain specific taste or aroma to food and beverages. On sorbitol, a low-calorie sweetener, the duty has been reduced to

Income tax relief to boost demand, drive investment: DEA Secretary

Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth on Sunday said the historic decision to give significant income tax relief will stimulate demand and propel growth in the next financial year for which the ministry has pegged the nominal GDP growth of 10.1 per cent. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced significant income tax cuts for the middle class. Individuals earning up to Rs 12.75 lakh in a year will not have to pay any taxes benefiting 1 crore taxpayers. However, the tax cuts will cost the exchequer about Rs 1 lakh crore. The Union Budget has tried to address domestic headwinds through measures which can mitigate them, Seth told PTI in an interview. "Very, very significant tax relief given to all taxpayers, and in particular to the middle class, is an attempt towards that direction, because some data is showing that consumption, as well as investment by the private sector is not to a level which requires or which is necessary for a higher growth path," he said. "There

Emphasis on green transition to strengthen India's clean energy leadership

The Budget's focus on green transition will strengthen India's position as a global clean energy leader and meet decarbonization goals, industry players said. Girish Tanti, Vice Chairman, Suzlon said by strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat across manufacturing and agriculture, with a focus on clean tech, wind, solar, EV, and battery storage, the budget aims to accelerate self-reliance in wind and solar manufacturing. Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power and Chairman, Serentica Renewables, said there is continued focus on domestic manufacturing of generation and storage equipment, there is new-found mention of high-voltage transmission equipment. Given that there are global deficits in this product category, focusing on this sub-segment is a very sound move. Goldi Solar Managing Director said the National Manufacturing Mission's targeted support for all renewable energy sources is a welcome move, as it reinforces India's commitment to a level playing field and ambitious ...

Over 90% taxpayers may shift to new tax regime with Budget changes: CBDT

The Budget announcement of zero tax for earnings upto Rs 12 lakh per annum and the rejig of tax slabs across the board should prompt more than 90 per cent of individual taxpayers to embrace the new tax regime as compared to the about 75 per cent as of now, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said on Sunday. In a post-Budget interview exclusively to PTI, Agrawal said the government's and the Income-Tax Department's philosophy and approach is to ensure a "non-intrusive" tax administration in the country through an enhanced usage of Artificial (AI) apart from the regular human intelligence gathering mechanism. The CBDT chief said the tax processes available to a "common" taxpayer for reporting their income were not "very complex" giving examples of the simplified ITR-1, pre-filled Income Tax Returns, automatic computation of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) etc. available to them. He also cited the new tax regime (NTR), where there are no deductions or exemptions allowed like the old regime, which

Budget muted on UPI, RuPay debit card incentives; sops down by 78%

The Budget earmarked Rs 437 crore to promote such transactions in financial year 2026 (FY26), compared to Rs 2,000 crore allocated the year before

Budget measures on AI, startups, GCCs to drive growth, says tech experts

A slew of measures around technology and AI announced in the Union Budget is a step towards a stronger Digital India and AI-driven modernisation, and would play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of growth for India's economy, according to top industry voices. Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia said it is heartening to see the government's vision of building Viksit Bharat by 2047 with AI and technology in the Union Budget 2025. There is no doubt AI has the potential to transform every sector of Indian society, from boardrooms to classrooms, commerce to communities, and finance to farmers, he said. "We welcome the Finance Minister's announcements of establishing a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education and creating a deep tech fund to catalyse future startups. As the Economic Survey 2025 highlights, India must capitalise on AI opportunities and leverage its young and dynamic population to create a tech-forward workforce for India and for the world, ...

Mansukh Mandaviya praises Budget's social security steps for gig workers

Union Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday hailed the budgetary allocation for labour welfare, saying social security for gig workers is a transformative step. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a social security scheme for one crore gig workers engaged with online platforms and said the government will provide them identity cards and facilitate their registration on the e-Shram portal. The move will help these platform workers get benefits of social welfare schemes run by various government agencies. The Union Budget 2025 marks a landmark initiative in India's labour welfare landscape with a comprehensive framework to extend formal recognition and social security benefits to gig workers, a labour ministry statement said. Lauding the decision, Mandaviya, hailed the government's commitment to ensuring the well-being of over one crore gig workers across the country. Mandaviya said, "The gig workforce is a vital pillar of India's new-age ...