Page 18 - Budget 2026

Budget 2026: Centre announces ₹20,000 cr plan to scale carbon capture tech

Union Budget 2026: The Centre will launch a ₹20,000 crore scheme over five years to promote carbon capture technologies across power, steel, cement, refineries and chemical sectors

Budget proposes to set up dedicated REITs to recycle CPSE realty assets

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said CPSE assets will be recycled through Reits, a move experts say could expand investable real estate supply, deepen markets and provide liquidity

​STT hike in F&O may dent FII flows; trading volumes may thin: Analysts

STT kike will be a headwind for capital-market-linked stocks. With derivatives volumes already shrinking in recent months, the hike, analysts say, may further their pressure near-term earnings.

Income Tax Act 2025 to be implemented from April 1: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the Income Tax Act, 2025 will be implemented from April 1 and rules and tax returns forms will be notified shortly. Beginning April 1, the Income Tax Act, 2025, will come into force replacing the six-decade-old tax law and the changes made in tax laws in 2026-27 Budget will be incorporated in the new legislation. In her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, she said, "This (direct tax code) was completed in record time and the Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect from first April 2026. The simplified income tax rules and forms will be notified shortly, giving adequate time to taxpayers to acquaint themselves with its requirements." The forms have been redesigned, such that ordinary citizens can comply without difficulty, she added. The 2025 I-T law is revenue neutral with no change in tax rates. It has only made direct tax laws simple to understand, removed ambiguities, thereby reducing scope for litigations. It reduces te

Govt proposes launch of Khelo India mission to transform sports sector

The government's flagship Khelo India programme to scout grassroots-level sporting talent is set to get a boost with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposing the launch of a Khelo India mission to also focus on systemic development of training centres and coaches over the next decade. Presenting the Union Budget for the year 2026-27, the minister said the mission will facilitate an integrated talent development programme through inter-linking pathways. The Khelo India programme was launched in 2017 and its primary objective was to hold national level competitions across age groups for talent identification. "Sports sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India mission to transform the sports sector over the next decade," Sitharaman said during her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha. "The missio

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