Page 2 - Budget 2026

India Inc's bold investment push crucial for Viksit Bharat: PM Modi

These FTAs are tools to ensure that our youth are not just suppliers to the domestic market but active participants in global trade and growth, says PM Modi

Sovereign Gold Bond issue: Why tax certainty matters for investors

The government is free to change the law for the future. But changing the tax outcome of past investments weakens confidence in the stability of the system

'Carefully scripted, desperate PR exercise': Cong slams PM Modi's interview

The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview with PTI was "no interview" and claimed that it was a "carefully scripted" as well as "desperate PR exercise". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh further alleged that, being "under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal", the prime minister is now resorting to his "favourite tactic" of headline management. "The PM knows that this year's Budget has been a damp squib and shows every sign of intellectual exhaustion. Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed. Hence, he feels the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and a few days after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament," Ramesh said. "As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality," the Congress leader said. Ramesh claimed that Modi is trying to divert attention away from his "betrayal" of lakhs of farmers and

Arunachal CM Khandu asks citizens to share ideas for Budget 2026-27

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday invited citizens to actively participate in shaping the state budget 2026-27 by sharing suggestions, ideas and feedback, stressing that the government aims to make the process more inclusive, participatory and people-centric. In a message shared on social media, the chief minister called on people from all sections of society to contribute their inputs as the state prepares its annual financial roadmap. He emphasised that public participation is key to building a stronger, progressive and inclusive Arunachal Pradesh. "As we prepare the Arunachal Budget 2026-27, the government of Arunachal Pradesh invites valuable suggestions, ideas, and feedback from all citizens," Khandu said in a post on X. He urged people to be active partners in the development process. Highlighting the importance of collective effort in governance, the chief minister added, "Let us work together to build a stronger, inclusive, and progressive Arunachal.

AP Budget 2026: ₹53,915 cr for public capex highest in state's history

The government has positioned infrastructure as a multiplier for private investment, job creation and long-term productivity growth, moving beyond consumption-led spending towards asset creation

Budget 2026 to boost infra, industry growth in Maharashtra: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday asserted that Maharashtra will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the Union Budget 2026-27, citing provisions made for infrastructure, railways and industry, which will have a direct impact on the state's growth. Speaking to reporters here about the Union Budget, the commerce and industry minister said Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are major destinations for data centres as subsea cables land there, which would attract foreign direct investment and generate employment. "The budget provides Rs 12.21 lakh crore for infrastructure development. Projects such as Vadhawan Port, the new airport and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will benefit Maharashtra. A rupee spent on infrastructure gives a return of Rs 3 to Rs 3.5. This will boost economic growth and reduce logistic costs," he said. He pointed out that the budget focuses on the MSME and manufacturing sectors through credit guarantee schemes, renewable energy use and expansion of cloud services. Goyal s

Attero to invest ₹7K crore over 5 years in proposed rare-earth corridor

Plans refining push in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; lithium recycling capacity to rise to 300,000 tonnes in five years; magnet recycling capacity to increase 100-fold in two years

As Budget renews push for social sectors, gap in implementation persists

Spending on health and education as percentage of GDP is modest and below policy targets

Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance minister says Budget aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, citing strong growth and low inflation as a "Goldilocks moment" for the economy

PM Modi hails FM Sitharaman's Budget speech, calls it 'comprehensive'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the Union Budget, saying she gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's budget will contribute to the nation's economic transformation. Sitharaman, in her speech, said the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. In a post on X, Modi said, "In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's Budget will contribute to our nation's economic transformation. She emphasised Reform Express, the support to MSMEs, skilling, push to next-gen infrastructure, efforts to boost healthcare, education and more." The finance minister said the effective capital expenditure rises to Rs 17.1 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fis

Capex outlay in Budget to be force multiplier for Viksit Bharat: FM

Sitharaman said since the FY27 Budget was the first Budget in the second quarter of the 21st Century, there has been some investments which will have bearing on the long term

Budget pegs FY27 total expenditure at ₹53.47 trillion: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. According to the revised estimate, the size of the Budget for the current fiscal is Rs 49.64 lakh crore, lower from Rs 50.65 lakh crore estimated in February 2025. The Budget for fiscal 2024-25 was at Rs 46.52 lakh crore. Total expenditure is pegged at Rs 53.47 lakh crore in the next fiscal, much more than tax receipts, she said in reply to a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. The government aims for tax receipts of Rs 44.04 lakh crore, 8 per cent higher than the previous year. Talking about capex, she said, the government has made the highest-ever allocation of Rs 12.2 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fiscal discipline and has projected the fiscal deficit at 4.3 per cent of the GDP or Rs 16

Uttar Pradesh presents ₹9.13 trillion Budget for 2026-27, outlay up 12.2%

Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Wednesday presented a Rs 9.13 lakh crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the state Assembly, marking an increase of about 12.2 per cent over the previous year's outlay. Tabling the Budget before the House, Khanna said the state government is always fully committed to fiscal management and debt control. In accordance with the recommendations of the 16th Central Finance Commission, which have been accepted by the Centre, the fiscal deficit limit for the financial year 2026-27 has been set at three per cent. This will remain in effect until 2030-31. Referring to the allocations made for major items, Khanna said, "The allocations for education and health are 12.4 and six per cent of the total budget, respectively. Furthermore, the amount allocated for agriculture and allied services is nine per cent of the total budget." Emphasising that capital investment and infrastructure development play a vital role in strengthening the ...

FM Sitharaman counters DMK; Oppn mulls notice for removal of Speaker

As Budget debate triggers sharp exchanges in Parliament, Sitharaman rebuts DMK charges while the Opposition considers a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Budget announcements to position India as value-led biopharma ecosystem

Pharma-focused Budget 2026 measures could help India move beyond generics by boosting biologics, biosimilars, regulatory capacity and early-stage innovation, analysts say

Railways begins viability assessment for 7 new bullet train corridors

Railway Board has asked NHSRCL to update DPRs with current costs for seven proposed high-speed rail corridors, as India looks to accelerate bullet train expansion beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad

Budget 2026: Readying for long-term export gains via resilient logistics

For those operating at the heart of supply chains, the renewed commitment to infrastructure-led growth stands out as one of the most significant aspects of the Budget

Easier PMS rules for NRIs: Expert explains what it means for equity flows

Budget 2026 has eased PMS and ownership rules for NRIs. Ametra PMS CIO Karan Aggarwal explains how overseas investors may respond

Parliament session: Both Houses to begin discussion on Union Budget 2026-27

Both Houses of Parliament are scheduled to begin discussion on the Union Budget 2026-27 on Monday, which was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.FM Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, for the ninth consecutive time. Asserting that the Budget is driven by "Yuvashakti" and based on "three kartavyas," she proposed seven high-speed rail corridors, new dedicated freight corridors, and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years.The Centre also announced an increase in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options (F & O) to discourage speculative trading.While the NDA has welcomed the Budget, the Opposition alleged an exclusion of the marginalised communities. The Secular Progressive Alliance, led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu, has called a protest against the Budget on February 12.While the Houses are scheduled for general discussion on the Budget, the Opposition MPs are likely to demand a ...

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 to boost domestic chip manufacturing

India has made steady progress in consolidating earlier investments into a full-stack value chain of its semiconductor ecosystem under ISM 1.0