Page 18 - Budget 2026

FM proposes duty-free imports of specified inputs for leather exports

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed duty-free imports of certain specified inputs for promoting the country's exports of leather. The move will help provide cushion to leather exporters who are reeling under the steep 50 per cent US tariffs. The country's leather and leather products shipments dipped marginally 0.23 per cent to USD 3.3 billion during April-December 2025-26. She also exempted parts used to manufacture microwave ovens from basic customs duty. Sitharaman announced that India will develop 15 archaeological sites, including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Sarnath, and Hastinapur. She also proposed to extend the time period of exports of final products from six months to one year for exporters of leather, and textile garments. Further the minister said that the government will support Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India to scale up production of assistive devices.

FM announces ₹10,000 cr container manufacturing scheme, 20 new waterways

New ship repair facilities for river vessels, coastal cargo promotion scheme also announced

F&O STT hike unlikely to deter active traders; markets will come around

The key message from the Budget is clear: fiscal consolidation will continue alongside growth, supported by responsible financial management

BSE stock price tanks 15% after Budget 2026; why did the stock fall today?

The government proposes to increase the securities transaction tax, raising STT on futures from 0.02% to 0.05% and on options premium from 0.1% to 0.15%.

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman pegs fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP for FY27

FM Nirmala Sitharaman pegged FY27 fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP, signalling continued fiscal consolidation, with net tax receipts seen at ₹28.7 trillion and higher tax devolution to states

Missed your tax deadline? Budget 2026 offers relief with March 31 extension

The move gives individuals more time to correct errors or file returns that were missed earlier in the assessment year.

Budget 2026: Buying property from an NRI? TDS rules will now get simpler

The move is aimed at easing compliance for resident buyers, who earlier had to apply for a TAN solely to deposit TDS when purchasing property from non-resident Indians (NRIs).

FM announces ₹10,000 crore scheme to promote biopharma manufacturing

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Mission Biopharma Shakti in the Budget, a five-year ₹10,000 crore programme to build domestic capabilities in biologics, biosimilars and clinical research

Budget boosts electronics component scheme outlay to ₹40,000 crore

The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme has attracted investment commitments far exceeding its target, prompting the government to raise the scheme's outlay to ₹40,000 crore

Budget 2026: Govt to set up 5 medical tourism hubs, train 150K caregivers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures in the Union Budget 2026-27 to boost medical tourism, including support for five regional hubs in partnership with states and the private sector

What are the three kartavyas guiding FM Sitharaman's Budget 2026 vision?

Union Budget 2026: Presenting the Union Budget, FM Nirmala Sitharaman outlined three kartavyas to boost economic growth, and ensure inclusive access to opportunities

From animation labs to hostels: Key education announcements in Budget 2026

Union Budget 2026 also announced a high-level standing committee to strengthen links between education, employment and enterprise, with a focus on services-led growth and future skill needs

FM proposes incentives of ₹100 cr for single municipal bond issuances

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed incentives of Rs 100 crore for single bond issuance by municipal corporations of more than Rs 1,000 crore. She also announced restructuring of REC Ltd (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) as part of the government's public sector financial institution strengthening. The minister proposed setting up high-level committee on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat'. She said the country's banking sector is characterised by a strong balance sheet, historic high profitability. In her Budget speech, she proposed to review foreign exchange management non-debt instruments rules. She added that close to 25 crore people have come out of multi-dimensional poverty.

Budget 2026: Electronics manufacturing outlay doubled to ₹40,000 crore

Union Budget 2026-27: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced several new manufacturing schemes in the Budget 2026 to boost domestic production

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman announces ₹10,000 crore SME growth fund

Union Budget 2026 proposes ₹10,000 crore SME growth fund and expands TReDS-backed liquidity measures and compliance support to help small businesses scale up and improve access to finance

Budget 2026: Rare-earth hubs to be set up in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra, TN

FM Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget 2026 has proposed supporting Odisha, Kerala, Andhra and Tamil Nadu for dedicated rare-earth corridors for mining, research, and production of rare-earth magnets

Budget impact: Gokaldas, Kitex, Trident, Arvind soar up to 8%; here's why

Textile-related stocks rally: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Budget 2026 proposed to set-up mega textile parks to focus on value addition in technical textiles.

Budget 2026: What to read after FM Sitharaman's address and why it matters

This year's Union Budget speech is expected to focus on continuity and long-term goals rather than major surprises

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman proposes ₹10,000 cr SME fund, mega textile parks

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to set up a Rs 10,000 crore fund to create champion small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost the economy. Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, she also proposed a scheme for container manufacturing to create globally competitive ecosystem. Also, mega textile parks with focus on value addition to technical textiles would be set up. The budget also proposed setting up mega textile parks with focus on value addition to technical textiles and an integrated textile programme with five sub-parts, she stated. The finance minister said India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality affordable sports goods. She also proposed Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative to strengthen Khadi handloom. Besides, there would be a scheme to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters.

Budget impact: Container Corporation jumps 4% on proposed ₹10,000 cr outlay

Budget 2026 impact: Container Corporation rose over 4 per cent after the FM proposed ₹10,000 crore outlay for container manufacturing in the Union Budget.