Page 26 - Budget 2026

Budget 2026: PSU bank's officers union seeks tax relief on leased housing

Bank of Maharashtra officers' union has urged Centre to amend Section 17 and Rule 3 to exclude leased accommodation and concessional staff loans from perquisite taxation or align valuation with norms

Kerala under financial pressure due to Centre's curtailments: Governor

The budget session of the Kerala assembly commenced on Tuesday with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reading out the Left government's policy which claimed that the state was under financial "pressures" due to the economic "curtailments" placed on it by the state. In his policy address marking the commencement of the 16th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, Arlekar said due to the restrictions on the state's borrowing limits and adjustments to the Integrated Goods and Services Tax, led to it being denied Rs 17,000 crore in the 2025-26 financial year. Besides that, it suffered a further "loss" of Rs 4,250 crore due to the "Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) methodology "which deviates from the accepted recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission", he said. Arlekar said that it has raised these concerns before the central government. The concerns raised by Kerala also include the "excessive centralisation of powers" and the union government's "interventions" in t

Budget recap: What changed after Union Budget 2025 for Indian taxpayers? | Budget 2026

Budget 2025 not only tweaked tax slabs, it reset how India taxes personal income. From zero tax up to ₹12 lakh under the new regime to fewer deductions and simpler compliance,

Budget 2026: Why more medical seats alone can't fix India's healthcare

As medical seats expand, experts urge Budget 2026 to prioritise faculty hiring, better training and infrastructure to secure India's healthcare workforce

Commerce dept pushing for major tweaks in SEZ norms to counter US tariffs

An overhaul of the existing two-decade-old law governing SEZs has been under discussion for almost four years

Disinvestment revival will be useful in sustaining capital expenditure

It is encouraging that the government's dependence on disinvestment receipts in managing its finances has reduced, but the instrument should not be discarded

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