Page 4 - Budget 2026

Outcome Budget data raises questions on returns from government capex

The Outcome Budget or OOMF is meant to link government spending to measurable results, but near-identical targets across years highlight gaps in assessing returns on public investment

Defence spending rises in Union Budget, but capability gains remain key

Operation Sindoor shapes FY27 defence Budget as India lifts spending to 2% of GDP, boosts capital outlay and modernisation to prepare for a potential two-front conflict

Budget 2026 backs decarbonisation, clean energy supply chains

Union Budget 2026-27 lays out a long-term energy strategy focused on decarbonisation and supply chain resilience through CCUS funding, nuclear incentives, battery storage support, logistics upgrades

Budget 2026 extends immunity to misreporting, but with key trade-offs

The proposal extends relief from penalty and prosecution in misreporting cases, but taxpayers must forgo the right to appeal and carefully weigh the strength of their case

Housing ministry raises EWS housing target under PMAY 2.0 by 350%

Targeted housing under BLC component raised from 111,000 to 500,000 homes in FY27

Scrapping of courier export cap brings cheer to logistics, ecom players

The scrapping of the Rs 10 lakh per-consignment cap on courier exports in the Union Budget 2026 is expected to ease bottlenecks for MSMEs and D2C startups and improve cross-border e-commerce economics

2019 to 2026: Of Sitharaman's saris, weaves and the fiscal fine print

Each drape, border and weave has echoed the fiscal moment-tight seams in lean years, bolder colours in recovery, steadier textures as India's economic story unfolded, measured carefully in six yards

Budget 2026 simplifies tax rules for PF trusts: What changes for you

EPFO said the rationalisation will serve the interests of all stakeholders by ensuring convergence between the Income Tax Act and EPF laws.

No tax risk for foreign companies setting up data centres in India: FinMin

The Budget proposal of a 20-year tax holiday to foreign companies which provide cloud services globally will be available only to those which have set up a MeitY-notified data centre in India, and there will not be any risk for such overseas firms of their global income being taxed in India on this account, sources said on Wednesday. Finance Ministry sources also said that the Budget announcement would also give certainty to foreign companies that are in the business of providing cloud services and procurement services from a data centre in India. "Now Indian data centres can confidently offer their services to such global cloud entities, without these global entities perceiving any tax risk if they use Indian data centres," sources added. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her 2026-27 Budget, had proposed to provide a tax holiday till 2047 to any foreign company that provides cloud services to customers globally by using data centre services from India. It will, however, need

Why Budget tax sops to attract foreign investment upset Indian data centres

The new Budget provides for tax sops to attract more foreign investments in India's data centres. So why are some Indian players upset?

US tariffs not the only factor for Customs duty changes: CBIC chairman

CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi explains the Budget's calibrated customs duty exemptions, SEZ flexibility and tariff reforms amid global trade headwinds

India-US trade deal lifts great deal of uncertainty, say FinMin officials

Department of financial services (DFS) secretary M Nagaraju said: "Dark clouds of uncertainty had lifted from the world economy and industry should now cheer up and heave a sigh of relief"

MSDE may launch new entrepreneurship scheme for students: Budget documents

Budget documents say the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is developing a national entrepreneurship scheme for students across schools and colleges

Budget 2026: Food subsidy seen rising 12% in FY26 on higher procurement

VB G RAM G gets Rs 95,692 crore in Fy-27; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 to clear pending dues and smoothen transition

Markets need clarity on trade deal for the rally to sustain: Shankar Sharma

The markets were looking for a reason to rally, and they have got it now in the form of India-US trade deal. Once analysts and investors settle down, they will ask more questions (on the deal)

CM Mohan Yadav praises Union Budget; MP Budget to be presented on Feb 18

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav says Union Budget 2026-27 will boost infrastructure and investment; state Budget will be presented on February 18

Stock Market Close: Sensex swings 1,345 pts intraday, ends 944 pts higher; Nifty tops 25,050

Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates, February 2, 2026: Fag-end buying was led by Reliance Industries, Adani Ports, BEL, L&T, M&M, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank\

Nifty IT index soars 6% intra-day, TechM hits record high; here's why

Improved policy optics could encourage US enterprises to advance discretionary tech spending and GCC expansion, even though immediate revenue or margin acceleration for IT firms is unlikely.

Would like defence spending at 2.5% of GDP in 5 years: Rajesh Kumar Singh

The share of domestic firms in the value of capital procurement was 87% in FY25. This level will never fall below 75%

Budget 2026: Govt should have a clear road map for disinvestment target

Even for 2025-26, miscellaneous capital receipts were budgeted at ₹47,000 crore, but were later revised down