Budget News

The Budget and the imperative of fiscal consolidation

The Budget pinpoints the critical areas where the government needs to focus on, but sustained growth needs monetary and fiscal stability

Budget 2026-27: ‘Tourism can go from threat to tool for empowerment’

In conversation with Anuja Malhotra, policy manager at the Centre for Policy Design, ATREE, Bengaluru, about how environment and tribal people are represented in the budget

Why the government has increased capital spending for the defence sector

The government has announced a record ₹7,84,678 crore for defence in the FY2026-27 Union Budget, addressing urgent military needs amid geopolitical tensions. The increased funding aims to enhance…

Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction and screen-related mental health problems

The Survey highlights that the issue is of significance predominantly among children and adolescents; the document also proposes expanding the national Tele-MANAS programme beyond crisis counselling…

Union Budget 2026: Activists slam allocation for rural jobs schemes

Activists say ₹30,000 crore for MGNREGS is unclear and likely to be absorbed by dues; warn Centre’s ₹95,692 crore for VB‑GRAMG is far below what’s needed for 125 days of work

Rise in southern States’ share in devolution of funds provides no relief to Tamil Nadu

The share of Tamil Nadu, which was 4.079% in the 15th FC, rose to 4.097% now, accounting for a rate of increase of only 0.44%; as part of horizontal devolution, the weights assigned to the criteria…

Union Budget 2026: Not so poll-driven, but signals focus on global headwinds

While the Budget did include announcements touching poll-bound States, the measures were packaged within broader multi-State initiatives that reflected the Government’s attempt to balance domestic…

Watch: Union Budget 2026 | The big economic priorities explained

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1st presented her ninth Union Budget — and the third of the Narendra Modi government’s third term

Watch: Union Budget 2026 | Key takeaways

Government to provide tax holiday for foreign companies offering cloud services using Indian data centres

Union Budget 2026: No influence of issues with U.S. in customs duty cuts, says Nirmala Sitharaman

The Finance Minister added that the Centre has already started using cess proceeds, usually its domain exclusively, in matters that are in the States’ list of responsibilities

Government proposes to exempt award given by Motor Accident Claims Tribunal from income tax

According to the Budget document, the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, inter alia, provide for compensation and an interest on the compensation to be awarded by the tribunal to an…

Union Budget 2026-27 | Three of seven high-speed rail corridors to connect Hyderabad

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during presentation of the Budget, said that the corridors will be developed to promote environmentally sustainable passenger systems

Budget moots comprehensive review of financial sector, PFC, REC to be restructured

“Indian banking sector today is characterised by strong balance sheets, historic highs in profitability, improved asset quality and coverage exceeding 98% of villages in the country,” says Finance…

Union Budget 2026: Taxes

Budget seeks to attract global business and investment providing fillip to toll manufacturing, MAT exemptions

The finance minister proposed five-year exemption for toll manufacturing of electronic goods in India alongside rationalisation of the MAT regime

India's Budget advances critical reforms across customs and strategic sectors that boost investment: USISPF

“The support in the Budget for semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics will help fuel next-generation growth,” the President and CEO of USISPF said

High Income Group: ‘The Budget is a study in contrasts’

‘While the Budget delivers a major victory for our global aspirations, it remains stubbornly silent on the domestic tax relief required to combat the rising cost of urban living’

Budget focusses on investment as tool for growth; deficit target outlines government’s priority, says Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister also said the volatility in gold prices is due to global uncertainty, and many central banks are investing in gold.

Union Budget 2026: Economy

A collection of articles on what the Budget offers for the economy.

Union Budget 2026: 16th Finance Commission recommends 41% tax devolution to States, increased share to South India

The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations have been accepted by the Union Government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on February 1, 2026