Page 26 - Budget 2026

Budget 2026: Startups, investors push regulatory changes to unlock capital

Venture investors seek policy changes to unlock capital for deep-tech firms, ease regulatory burdens

Centre announces India's first tailings policy for critical minerals

Tailings refer to the leftover waste material after valuable minerals are extracted from crushed ore, forming a slurry of rock particles, water and processing chemicals

Aligning Budget with city logistics to ease traffic congestion, pollution

With rapid urbanisation, Budget 2026-27 can strengthen urban logistics through city logistics plans, smart freight systems, digital tools and incentives to reduce congestion and pollution

Budget should back R&D, create long-term funding institution: MPC member

RBI Monetary Policy Committee member Nagesh Kumar on Monday said the government should provide policy incentives to promote R&D activities and create an institutional fund to ensure long-term capital for the industry in the forthcoming Budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on February 1. "For boosting the manufacturing-led growth, the Union Budget 2026-17 should consider some policy incentives for promoting in-house R&D activity of Indian companies, given its role in strengthening their productivity and competitiveness," Kumar told PTI in an interview. He said Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) and Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) are important measures adopted in recent times. "But they need to be complemented by incentives for corporate R&D activity," he said, adding that restoring the 200 per cent weighted tax deduction for R&D expenditure could be one such policy. According to Kumar, another ...

Budget 2026: Experts explain why the new tax regime still needs fixes

Experts argue cost-of-living relief can reduce the sharp tax jump after ₹12 lakh

Budget 2026: With under 2% of GDP, India's health spending lags global norms

India's public health spending remains below 2% of GDP, far lower than global standards and middle-income peers. As disease burdens rise, experts ask if underfunding health is now an economic risk

Budget 2026: What stock markets expect from FY27 Union Budget

Budget 2026 stock market expectations: Analysts see focus on fiscal discipline, capex push, defence, and infrastructure amid limited reform surprises

Nominal GDP growth for FY27 seen at 10-10.5%: Economists

Economists expect the Union Budget to peg FY27 nominal GDP growth at 10-10.5%, aided by rising inflation and a low base, influencing debt and fiscal metrics

Market participants seek equity tax relief ahead of upcoming Budget

Market participants have urged the government to ease capital market taxation, including a higher exemption limit on long-term capital gains, ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27. They also suggested that the government avoid further increases in transaction taxes. The Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. Market stakeholders also demanded enhancement of the tax-free exemption limit on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equity investments to provide greater relief to retail and long-term investors. In its budget wishlist, JM Financial Services recommended that the government should raise the tax-free exemption limit for equity LTCG from Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The firm also sought to standardise the definition of "long term" to 12 months across all asset classes, including equity, debt, gold and real estate, to reduce complexity and improve tax clarity. Additionally, it called for allowing capital losses to be set off against in

Tata Motors seeks incentives for entry-level EVs in upcoming Union Budget

Tata Motors has sought targeted incentives for entry-level electric vehicles and support to the electric cars used in the fleet segment under the PM E-DRIVE scheme in the upcoming Union Budget. In an interaction with PTI, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD & CEO Shailesh Chandra said that while government interventions such as GST 2.0, repo rate reduction and tax regime changes have revived demand in the passenger vehicle industry, entry-level EVs continue to face pressure. "I would like to really appreciate the government for reviving the PV industry and the electric vehicle side as well. Two things which can be considered (in the Budget). One there is a lot of pressure on the entry segment on the EV side and if the government would like to consider some level of incentives," he said. There is enhanced pressure on the entry-level EVs with GST reforms leading to reduction in prices of petrol cars, Chandra said. "The government last year took significant steps. The big one has been .

Budget 2026: BSE, NSE announce special trading session on Sunday, Feb 1

BSE and NSE will stay open on Sunday, February 1, for the presentation of Union Budget 2026-27, with trading to run during normal hours

Budget 2026 and affordable housing: Experts on what could change for buyers

From EMIs to GST tweaks, industry leaders break down what buyers can expect.

FY27 Budget should support MSME exports, fund critical minerals: Deloitte

The FY27 Budget should look at measures like supporting MSMEs through export credit and concessional financing, as well as funding exploration of critical minerals to enhance trade resilience and reduce external vulnerabilities, Deloitte India has said. In its Budget expectation, Deloitte said that MSMEs account for 46 per cent of India's exports and are the second largest employer after agriculture. Easing financial and compliance pressures will help these enterprises navigate global volatility, sustain production and remain competitive in international markets. "Strengthening MSMEs will safeguard jobs and drive inclusive economic growth, boost rural incomes and support India's ambition to become a global manufacturing hub," it said. Deloitte suggested a comprehensive training to improve the last-mile competitiveness of MSMEs and reduce compliance burden through simplified digital processes. It also suggested that targeted export incentives or enhanced duty drawback be provided t

Budget 2026-27: The next five reforms India needs to boost growth

They can help ensure that India remains on a high-growth trajectory over the next two decades

Ringing in a new era in the Union Budget season of records and firsts

As FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents her ninth straight Budget, the finance ministry marks a new era-shifting the historic exercise from North Block to the modern Kartavya Bhawan

Scrap OID cess on pre-NELP, nomination blocks: Oil sector's Budget plea

The oil and gas industry has sought abolition or a review of the oil industry development (OID) cess on crude oil produced from nomination and pre-NELP exploration blocks in the FY27 Union Budget, citing adverse impact on domestic production and project viability. OID cess, levied under the Oil Industries (Development) Act, 1974, was converted from a specific rate to an ad-valorem levy of 20 per cent from March 1, 2016, following a sharp fall in global crude prices. While the shift to an ad-valorem structure was intended to provide relief, oil and gas industry association Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) in a representation for FY27 Budget to the finance ministry said the 20 per cent rate has proved excessive, noting that historically the cess has ranged 8-10 per cent of crude prices. The cess applies only to crude produced from nomination and pre-New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) blocks, many of which are mature and in decline, requiring higher investment to ...

Ahead of FY27 Budget, agri leaders seek tech push to drive growth

Ahead of the FY27 Budget, agriculture industry leaders and experts are making a strong pitch for increased investments in digital infrastructure, climate-resilient farming practices, and technology adoption to transform a sector that employs nearly half the country's workforce but contributes less than a fifth to national output. With agriculture and allied sectors supporting about 45 per cent of India's workforce while contributing only around 18 per cent to the gross value added, industry voices say Budget 2026-27 presents a critical opportunity to reposition the sector as an engine of economic growth rather than just a welfare concern. "Agriculture is increasingly being recognised not merely as a welfare sector, but as a credible engine of economic growth -- one that can drive productivity, employment, rural demand and resilience," said Amit Vatsyayan, Leader, GPS-Agriculture, Livelihood, Social and Skills at EY India. Dairy sector seeks support Heritage Foods Ltd Executive ...

Budget 2026 should boost private investment, ensure tax clarity: EY India

EY India says Union Budget 2026 should focus on tax certainty, private investment and sector reforms to support growth amid global uncertainty

70% of Nifty 500 stocks in red in Jan 2026: What's next for Indian markets?

Indian stock markets start 2026 on a weak note, with 70 per cent of Nifty 500 stocks in red amid FII selling, global uncertainty, and tariff worries

Gems, jewellery sector seeks duty cuts, GST relief ahead of Budget FY27

In a bid to strengthen India's gem and jewellery competitiveness amid a challenging trade landscape, the gems and jewellery sector has sought targeted duty rationalisation, procedural reforms and reduction in GST in the upcoming Union Budget 2026-27. The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), in its pre-Budget recommendations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has made several proposals to make Indian exports more cost-efficient and position India as a diamond trading and value-discovery centre. "The global gem and jewellery trade is undergoing a major transformation. With high US tariffs, evolving consumer preferences, and shifting global supply chains, it is imperative that India maintains its competitive edge," GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali said. Bhansali further noted that the pre-Budget proposals are focused on making Indian exports more cost-efficient, strengthening SEZ operations, and improving policy frameworks that encourage investment and skill ...