Page 10 - Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Budget 2026: Zero customs duty for nuclear power imports till 2035

The Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman removes a key cost barrier for nuclear projects as India prepares for a major capacity expansion and opens the sector to private participation

STT hike, bond market boost: 10 positives and 5 negatives of Budget 2026

Capital expenditure has been raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore (~9 per cent YoY), reinforcing the infrastructure- and manufacturing-led growth strategy without resorting to populist fiscal slippage

CIC, Public Enterprises Selection Board get ₹39.14 allocation in Budget

The Central Information Commission (CIC) and the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) have been allocated Rs 39.14 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27, a nominal increase of around Rs 3 crore from the revised estimate of Rs 36.94 crore for 2025-26. However, the Budget Estimate for the CIC and PESB in 2025-26 was higher at Rs 42.49 crore. According to the Budget documents presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the provision is meant for establishment-related expenditure of the Central Information Commission and the Public Enterprises Selection Board. In Budget parlance, the allocations made at the time of presentation of the annual Budget are known as Budget Estimates (BE), while the updated figures, reflecting changes in revenue and expenditure during the course of the financial year, are referred to as Revised Estimates (RE). The government has also earmarked Rs 3.5 crore for the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for the propagation of the Right to Informat

Buyback proceeds for all shareholders to be taxed as capital gains: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said buyback proceeds for all types of shareholders will be taxed as capital gains. Presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27, Sitharaman also proposed to raise Securities Transaction Tax to 0.05 per cent on commodity futures from 0.02 per cent. She further said MAT (Minimum Alternate Tax ) will be made final tax and the rate will be reduced to 14 per cent from current 15 per cent. She also said the government has proposed a joint panel of Corporate Affairs Ministry and CBDT for incorporation of income computation and disclosure standards. National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid will be established to digitally document all places of significance, she added.

Budget 2026: Centre allocates ₹1.4 trillion to states, keeps 41% share

The 15th Finance Commission recommended a share of states in the central taxes to be 41 per cent, and the 16th Finance Commission has retained the vertical share of devolution

PSU banks reel after Budget 2026; shares fall up to 7%: Here's why

All the PSU Bank index constituents were trading lower, with Bank of India, Bank Maharashtra, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Union Bank of India falling in the range of 3 to 7 per cent

Sitharaman proposes Infra Risk Guarantee Fund to boost private investment

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitahraman on Sunday proposed to set up an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to provide calibrated partial credit guarantees to lenders. Sitharaman in her Budget speech said during this past decade, the government has undertaken several initiatives for large-scale enhancement of public infrastructure, including through new financing instruments such as Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and institutions like NIIF and NABFID. "To strengthen the confidence of private developers regarding risks during infrastructure development and construction phase, I propose to set up an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to provide prudently calibrated partial credit guarantees to lenders," she said. Noting that cities are India's engines of growth, innovation, and opportunities, she said the government will now focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and even temple-towns, which need modern infrastructure and basic ...

Budget 2026 delivers well on prudence and focuses on future thrust areas

Union Budget 2026 stays focused on fiscal prudence, targets a 4.3% deficit, sustains ₹12.2 trillion capex, and backs rare earths, freight corridors, waterways and data centres, writes Madan Sabnavis

Budget 2026-27: Govt sets up panel to study AI impact on services sector

Union Budget 2026: The Centre plans a high-powered panel to assess how AI is changing services, employment and skills, while aiming to raise India's global share in services to 10% by 2047

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman keeps LTCG tax rates unchanged for FY27

The Union Budget 2026 keeps long-term capital gains tax rates unchanged, while buyback proceeds will be taxed as capital gains; securities transaction tax on commodities futures has been increased

Budget 2026: What the sodium antimonate duty cut means for the solar sector

Union Budget 2026 removes basic customs duty on sodium antimonate, a specialised chemical used in photovoltaic glass, offering cost relief and competitiveness gains for solar glass manufactures

Budget 2026: Govt allocates ₹600 crore for three dedicated chemical parks

For the first time, the Union Budget provides a dedicated allocation for chemical parks, with ₹600 crore earmarked in the Budget Estimates for 2026-27

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

Union Budget 2026 | Relief for taxpayers: Deadline for filing revised ITR extended

In her Budget speech on February 1, Nirmala Sitharaman proposed extending the deadline to file revised and belated income tax returns up to March 31.

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.

Union Budget 2026: Capex target will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27: FM

Union Budget 2026: Capex target will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27: FM >

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: President Murmu offers ‘dahi-cheeni’ to FM Sitharaman ahead of Budget speech

Budget 2026: President Murmu offers ‘dahi-cheeni’ to FM Sitharaman ahead of Budget speech