Page 13 - Budget 2026

Union Budget 2026-27: Centre doubles GIFT City tax holiday to 20 years

Budget 2026 extends the income tax deduction window for GIFT City IFSC units and offshore banks to 20 years, offering greater certainty to lenders and global financial firms expanding India operations

Budget 2026 proposes penalties for non-compliance in crypto reporting

Union Budget 2026 introduces daily and lump-sum penalties for lapses in crypto asset reporting, aiming to bring virtual digital assets firmly within the formal tax compliance framework

India's economy and its fundamentals strong: FM hits back at Rahul Gandhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that India's economic fundamentals are strong and the Budget addresses the needs of all sections of society. "With due respect, I don't know what course correction he (Gandhi) is referring to. Economy and its fundamentals are strong. Global uncertainty is facing many of our sectors for whom we have brought in so many different schemes for those small and medium enterprises, textiles, leather...for farmers and women entrepreneurs," she said. These are ways in which the government is reaching out to the common small people and making sure that they are receiving the benefit of various schemes, she said in customary post-Budget interaction with the media. She was reacting to the Leader of the Opposition's comment in a post on X, which said, "Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks - all

FM proposes first-ever National Institute of Hospitality in Budget 2026

The Union Budget emphasised tourism through an institute upgrade, guide training, adventure and heritage initiatives, and lower TCS on overseas tour packages to boost competitiveness

Budget 2026: Stalin to Mamata, CMs divided over priorities and allocations

Opposition-ruled states slammed Budget 2026 for ignoring federal concerns and tax devolution, while NDA chief ministers welcomed its focus on manufacturing, infrastructure and MSME-led growth

Budget 2026: Govt proposes ₹200 daily fine for crypto reporting violations

The Finance Bill introduces penalties for delayed or inaccurate crypto transaction reporting, including a ₹200-per-day fine and a ₹50,000 penalty for uncorrected errors

Budget 2026-27: A future-ready step on path to Viksit Bharat 2047

Higher capex, green mobility and strategic manufacturing bets in Budget 2026-27 aim to boost competitiveness, infrastructure and self-reliance on the road to Viksit Bharat 2047

Budget 2026: Now NRIs can invest up to 10% directly in Indian equities

Union Budget 2026: Higher shareholding limits and a new PIS route aim to widen overseas participation in Indian stocks

Budget 2026: TCS cut on LRS education, medical spends to boost remittances

Lowering TCS on overseas education and medical remittances under LRS to 2% is expected to ease cross-border transactions and bring predictability for families managing large foreign expenses

Union Budget 2026: What industry leaders say about reforms, capex push

Union Budget 2026 drew mixed reactions from industry leaders, who welcomed the growth and capex push while stressing the need for execution clarity, long-term policy support and reform follow-through

Budget 2026: Relief for senior citizens as Form 15G, 15H filing gets easier

Senior Citizens and Budget 2026: The proposal aims to cut paperwork and prevent unnecessary tax deduction for eligible investors, especially senior citizens holding securities across companies

From Nimhans 2.0 to biopharma, Budget 2026 reshapes health priorities

Budget 2026 puts mental health, biopharma manufacturing and medical skilling at the centre, with Nimhans 2.0 and drug affordability shaping a broader healthcare realignment

From Defence to R&D, what didn't make the cut in Sitharaman's Budget speech

Key sectors such as defence and railways saw large FY27 allocations in the Budget documents, even though they found little or no mention in Sitharaman's Budget 2026 speech

Budget 2026: PF rule clean-up simplifies tax treatment, keeps limits intact

Retirement savings streamlined by removing 12% tax ceiling on employer Provident Fund contributions and providing companies with a compliance cushion for tax deductions on employee welfare deposits

Budget 2026: Sitharaman did not address key concerns, says P Chidambaram

Chidambaram, who has served as the finance minister four times, said the Budget failed "the test of economic strategy and economic statesmanship"

Budget 2026: Seaplane manufacturing to get boost, aircraft parts duty cut

Centre announces incentives for indigenous seaplane manufacturing, VGF support for operations, and customs duty exemption on aircraft components

Budget 2026: Towards a healthier India through strategic healthcare push

The Budget reframes healthcare as a strategic national capability, backing biopharma innovation, workforce expansion and technology-led governance to power India's next growth phase

India clears foreign funding of manufacturing equipment, boosting Apple

In India, unlike China, Apple was concerned that if it paid for machines for its contract manufacturers, Indian law could consider that ​a so-called "business connection" and impose taxes

Budget support will help MSMEs scale from local to global: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Budget, aligned with India's recent trade deals, provides unprecedented support to MSMEs, sunrise sectors and infrastructure, laying the foundation for jobs

Indian Railways in Budget 2026-27: Time to realise capex benefits

Massive infusion of funds has been made in Railways by the government during the past 4 years and continues with budgetary support of Rs 2.78 trillion in 2026-27