India Budget 2026
Budget Headlines
Sectors In Focus
SME
Smiles, fries & air-fryers: Why Canadian food giant McCain is bullish on India’s snacking ...
No Santa for exporters this Christmas: Iran war disrupts supply chains, stretches transit ...
How an Australian connection helped Shaily Mehrotra build a Rs 1,500-crore Indian skincare...
India’s big cotton bet: Can Rs 5,659 cr revive the sector's global leadership?
Relief now, risk later? ECLGS 5.0 aims to ease MSME stress, industry flags risks in morato...
India’s $85 billion gems & jewellery sector gets policy fillip, closes in on Dubai, Hong K...
Cooking through crisis: LPG shortage ignites this smart kitchen brand's hybrid cooking sol...
West Asia conflict deals a double whammy to India’s farm sector: pre-harvest cost pressure...
El Niño needs monitoring, but India better prepared than earlier: Bayer’s Simon Wiebusch
Yuan or Dollar? Indian businesses explore alternatives as import costs climb
Banking
RBI net short forward position rises to $200 b
HDFC Bank Group General Counsel Sudhir Kumar Jha retires after 22 years
RBL Bank gets show cause notice with GST demand of over Rs 173 crore
Personal loan growth rises to 16.9% in August: RBI
Bank deposit rates fall as fresh lending rates rise in August
HDFC Bank names ICICI veteran banker V.N. Srivatsan as Chief Compliance Officer
SBI seeks clarity on bank accounts under proposed FCRA rules
Credit Saison diversifies into secured, expects it to be 30% of loans by FY27
IndusInd Bank eyes India’s 2,117 GCCs with new banking vertical
IndusInd Bank CEO Rajiv Anand says name ‘unmapped’ from voter roll
Luxury
A matter of taste
Halle Berry and Van Hunt's engagement comes with a nod to vintage elegance
Zuckerberg set to join California billionaires with Miami home
Two Milan insiders share itineraries for a perfect day in town
New York Fashion Week spotlights American brands that have bucked luxury slowdown
Meet the new MVPs of art
Rs 26 lakh per day for a suite: What will you get on a ultra-luxury cruise experience?
Watches of Switzerland raises annual sales forecast on luxury demand in US, UK
Porsche mulls cutting electric sports cars to rein in budget
Mercedes CEO’s last shot at luxury crown hinges on revamped S-Class
Real Estate
K-RERA relief for flat owners over water leakage
1 yr delay for Mum flat; UAE man wins Rs 1.33cr int
125% house price rise in Noida: Check for your city
Why homebuyer lost parking space given by seller
Housing society flat delay: Full refund for buyers
Kalki sells Mumbai apartment for Rs 2.55 crore
Kriti Sanon & family sells 4 properties for Rs 8.9 cr
Shreyas Iyer becomes tenant in Worli for Rs 18.5L/m
UPRERA asks to buy only on carpet area basis
Electricity without OC for these owners in Bengaluru
Defence
Russia warns NATO of a possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off
Musa’s killing deals ‘serious blow’ to LeT ecosystem in J&K: MHA
The US military says its withdrawal of troops from Iraq is complete
Russia sends nuclear warning to NATO as tensions rise in the Baltic
Former Pakistan Army Havildar Hashim Moosa identified as LeT operative with SSG, counter-i...
Iran indicates it received official US response to its latest offer on ending war
India's fighter jet engine efforts get a big boost: Desi Kaveri engine clears key step in ...
Indian Coast Guard catches Pakistanis in Iranian dhow with 526 kg drugs: How maritime bord...
Top LeT terrorist killed in encounter in J&K's Budgam
Assam Rifles jawan killed in ambush near Myanmar border
Housing
Mumbai ranks 8th globally in price appreciation of prime housing properties: Knight Frank
Black Rock Hotels plans to scale up to 4,500 keys
Shivtek Spechemi Industries to expand manufacturing capabilities through new land acquisit...
Brookfield India REIT buys Powai office units for Rs 75.2 crore
Supreme Court dismisses plea against FAR granted to Great Value Realty's Ekanam project in...
Puravankara announces ₹5,200 crore township investment in Greater Noida, entering Delhi-NC...
Angel One’s founder Dinesh Thakkar strikes Rs 711 cr Juhu luxury tower deal
Ashiana Housing to invest Rs 1,000 cr in FY27 to acquire land for expansion: MD Vishal Gup...
Booking.com leases 1.11 lakh sq ft in Bengaluru
DHR Holdings leases 1.8 lakh sq ft in Bengaluru
Tech
FTC opens probe into AI giants including Anthropic and OpenAI, source says
ElevenLabs' valuation doubles to $22 billion on surging AI voice-agent demand
Apple Pay lands in India; Google executive on AI's next big hurdle
Pocket Entertainment's Rohan Nayak says AI tool Sherpa helped writers create $100 million ...
Simple Energy raises $180 million in largest funding round, eyes top-five EV two-wheeler s...
SatLEO to launch India’s first thermal payload TAPAS-1 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9
Ex-Livspace duo’s interiors startup Gravity raises $15 million
Apple Pay vs UPI: Which requires fewer steps to make a payment?
AI startup Instinct brings expert-curated recommendations to its platform
Trump calls Sundar Pichai a ‘monster’; here’s how the Google CEO replied
Energy
Aramco Trading sells 10 million bbls Khafji crude to Asian refiners, sources say
Oil slides as Saudi Arabia boosts flows via key pipeline
CCI seeks more info on Adani Energy's IntelliSmart deal
Oil minister Hardeep Puri calls for deeper India-OPEC energy ties
Coal India Limited announces ambitious Business Development portfolio for diversification ...
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma laid foundation stone for Adani Power’s 3,200 MW Assam Projec...
India discusses US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act implications on bilateral ties and ener...
India calls for secure, affordable and reliable energy for development
Diamond Power Infrastructure secures Rs 179.43 crore order from Adani Electricity Mumbai f...
India has 62 MMT annual compressed biogas potential; animal waste could become the biggest...
Insurance
Personal Loan
How a personal loan EMI calculator can help you plan repayments better
Understand loan eligibility before applying for a loan for doctors
Explore this practical guide to smarter home financing
Instant ₹10,000 loan approval strategy: How to pick lenders offering the best interest rat...
How inflation and RBI repo rates influence personal loan interest rates
NRI but using resident savings account? Here’s what you must know about NRE, NRO, and FEMA...
Used car loan eligibility explained: Who can apply and what you need
Why India's Gen Z and millennial borrowers are choosing app-based credit over traditional ...
Planning to buy a house in India in 2026? March is a key month to finalise home loan decis...
How a loan app simplifies borrowing compared to traditional loans

Sitharaman unveils plan to hit a sixer on a slippery global pitch

Budget announces birth of Indian champions: Small players, big play

Sitharaman’s budget adds power to India Inc's ambitions

India's counterstrike to blunt out Trump's tariff attack

Infra stays king as capex scaled up to ₹12.2 lakh crore

Govt bets on seven high-speed rail corridors to drive India's growth

Modi govt adds muscle to India's defence a year after Pakistan war

Sitharaman gives rare push as India counters China supply risks

Foreign companies to get tax-free ride for betting on India's data centres

₹1.63 lakh crore allocation reaffirms farming as the backbone of India's growth

Gen Z budget: Sitharaman takes the boring out of budgeting

India needs to make the most out of its premium love

India's ‘Office of the World’ dreams await power measures

A make-or-break moment awaits India’s farm policy
Economic Survey 2026
- National Mission on Manufacturing aims to double manufacturing contribution to GDP by 2035India's National Mission on Manufacturing targets a significant boost by 2035. The plan aims to double the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP to 25 percent. It also seeks to create 143 million new jobs. Merchandise exports are projected to reach USD 1.2 trillion. This initiative focuses on strategic sector development and improving business conditions.
- Economic Survey 2026: India's real GDP for FY27 projected at 6.8% to 7.2%India’s Economic Survey projects growth of 6.8–7.2% in FY27, highlighting resilience despite global uncertainty. The economy is expected to expand 7.4% in FY26, beating RBI estimates, supported by investment, manufacturing and rate cuts, with GDP crossing $4 trillion. India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy.
- A clever hack is rewriting India’s tax playbookEconomic Survey 2026: India's tax administration is shifting towards a data-driven, behavioral approach, utilizing "nudges" to enhance compliance and reduce litigation. The NUDGE framework, focusing on timely information and gentle prompts, has successfully encouraged voluntary corrections, leading to significant increases in declared assets, income, and tax collections.
- Gold and silver prices won’t lose their glitter just yetGold and silver prices are expected to rise, driven by safe-haven demand amid global uncertainties even as global commodity prices are set to soften in FY27 due to lower crude oil prices and modest growth. This divergence impacts India's inflation and credit. High gold prices are boosting personal loans, especially against jewellery. India's imports remain dominated by petroleum and gold.
- Rupee punching below its weight. But, why it does not 'hurt'The Economic Survey 2026 said the rupee underperformed in 2025 and is trading below levels suggested by India’s economic fundamentals. It noted that a weaker rupee does not hurt for now, as it helps soften the impact of higher US tariffs on Indian exports and poses no immediate inflation risk from costlier crude imports.
- India well on track to achieve 4.4% fiscal deficit target for FY26India's government is set to achieve its fiscal deficit goal of 4.4 percent of GDP this financial year. This achievement follows a period of fiscal consolidation and increased public investment. The nation has seen three sovereign rating upgrades. Markets have responded positively to the government's commitment to fiscal discipline. This positive trend is expected to continue.
- Trade deal talks with US may end this year, says Economic SurveyIndia's trade negotiations with the United States are anticipated to conclude this year, potentially easing external uncertainties. Despite global growth slowdowns and trade disruptions, the agreement's finalization could significantly benefit India's economic outlook. This development follows ongoing talks and previous tariff impositions by the US.
- Fix the freebies, Economic Survey 2026 warns and tells howThe Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights the rapid expansion of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) in Indian States, noting their significant impact on beneficiaries' incomes. However, it warns that their scale and persistence strain State finances, potentially crowding out crucial growth-enhancing public investments and leading to fiscal rigidity without consistently improving long-term outcomes.
- Economic Survey sees higher inflation as weaker rupee poses risk, soft commodities offer reliefIndia's inflation is set to increase slightly in the coming fiscal year. It is expected to remain within the Reserve Bank of India's target range. Soft global commodity prices and easing food inflation will help manage price pressures. The rupee's depreciation may cause some imported inflation. However, its impact is anticipated to be limited. Precious metals prices are firm.
- India’s future cities must make life easier, not just biggerIndia's future cities will prioritize saving time and boosting creativity. The Economic Survey 2025-26 suggests designing urban spaces for easier living and economic growth. This includes rethinking streets as social hubs and fostering creative zones. The focus shifts to productivity, dignity, and quality of life for all residents. Governance reforms will empower citizens in decision-making.
- Economic Survey 2026 sees steady job gains, Labour Codes in focusIndia's Economic Survey 2025-26 reveals a robust labour market. Participation is up, unemployment is down, and jobs are growing in all sectors. The government is focusing on quality employment and worker welfare through new Labour Codes. These reforms aim for better job security and incomes. The survey points to a strengthening economy despite global challenges.
- Squeeze the 'orange' for more juice from India's concert economyIndia's Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights the 'Orange Economy,' emphasizing live entertainment and concerts as significant growth drivers. The report identifies the concert economy's potential to boost urban services, tourism, and employment, while also noting existing bottlenecks like venue shortages and regulatory hurdles that need addressing for India to scale up this sector.
- Why Indians behave in the metro but not in busesThe Economic Survey 2025-26 argues that public behavior is driven by contextual design and institutional trust, not culture. Systems with clear design, predictable enforcement, and reliable service foster cooperation, as seen in metro systems, leading to orderly conduct by making rule-following the rational choice.
- Public and private hands must team up to deliver India’s next infra growthEconomic Survey 2026: India is making significant strides in infrastructure development, blending public investment with the dynamism of the private sector. This holistic approach is enhancing operational efficiency and connectivity across the nation. We can observe remarkable innovations in transportation—be it roads, railways, or aviation—as well as advancements in digital frameworks.
- Don't have time to read 800 pages? Here's the Eco Survey, broken downEconomic Survey Budget 2026 Highlights: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2025-26 in the Parliament today. The document provides the government's view on India's economy and its future direction. It will cover growth, stability, and reform priorities.
- Crores of children at risk from the food you are feeding them, Economic Survey 2026 warnsEconomic Survey 2026: India's Economic Survey 2026 flags a major health crisis: rising obesity. Unhealthy diets, ultra-processed foods, and inactive lifestyles are driving this trend across all ages. This surge in obesity is linked to serious diseases like diabetes and heart ailments. The government is implementing strategies to tackle this growing concern through awareness and regulation.
- 'Swadeshi' is the way for self-reliance against external shocksIndia's economic future hinges on disciplined Swadeshi, moving beyond naive globalisation. The nation must build strategic indispensability by strengthening state capacity. This involves fostering durable productive capabilities and reducing external vulnerabilities. Focus shifts to effective governance and execution for long-term economic strength and global integration.
- Economic Survey flags concerns over fiscal populism in statesThe Economic Survey highlights growing worries about states' fiscal populism and rising revenue deficits. Unconditional cash transfers are expanding, potentially crowding out growth-enhancing spending. This fiscal indiscipline at the state level now affects India's sovereign borrowing costs. Coordinated fiscal discipline is crucial for productive capacity and income growth.
- How Kochi can show the 'way' to other citiesIndia's Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights the Kochi Water Metro as a model for sustainable urban transport. This project revitalizes inland waterways, offering cost-effective and green connectivity. It integrates with existing metro systems for seamless travel. The success of Kochi Water Metro is inspiring similar projects in 21 other Indian cities, transforming natural water assets into efficient urban infrastructure.
- CEA confident of India's 6.8%-7.2% growth aim for FY27 in real terms despite an upcoming tweakIndia's economy is set for robust growth in FY27, with projections between 6.8% and 7.2%. This strong momentum is fueled by solid domestic demand and easing inflation. Private consumption and investment activity are showing significant acceleration. These trends highlight a resilient Indian economy poised for sustained high growth, even with statistical adjustments.
- Ban advertising of ultra-processed foods from 6 am-11 pmIndia faces a growing challenge with ultra-processed foods. The Economic Survey highlights rising obesity, especially in children. It proposes banning advertisements for these foods from morning to night. Restrictions on marketing infant milk are also suggested. This aims to curb unhealthy eating habits and improve public health across the nation.
Details on Budget 2026
Presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Budget for 2026-27 is driven by Yuvashakti and anchored in three core kartavyas -- accelerating growth, fulfilling aspirations and ensuring Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. While the government kept personal income tax rates unchanged, the Budget packed in a wide-ranging growth and reform agenda spanning infrastructure, railways, manufacturing, semiconductors, MSMEs, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, defence and skills, alongside a surprise hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives.
The total Budget size was pegged at Rs 53.5 lakh crore, with a sharp focus on capital expenditure, fiscal consolidation and reform delivery.
Taxpayers: Status quo on rates, procedural relief
In a major signal of continuity, Sitharaman proposed no change in personal income tax rates. The New Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into force, it was announced.
To ease compliance, the government extended the ITR filing deadline for non-audit businesses and trusts to August 31, while individuals filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 will continue to have time till July 31. The deadline for revised returns has been extended to March 31, subject to payment of a nominal fee.
TDS, TCS rationalisation
The Budget proposed sweeping rationalisation of Tax Collected at Source (TCS). TCS on the sale of overseas tour packages has been slashed to 2%, while TCS on overseas education and medical expenses under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) has also been reduced to 2%. Interest awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal will now be fully exempt from income tax.
TCS on goods was rationalised -- alcoholic liquor, scrap and mineral products at 2%, while Tendu leaves saw a reduction from 5% to 2%.
Markets: STT hike on derivatives
In a move that surprised market participants, the government raised STT on futures to 0.05% from 0.02%, and STT on options premium to 0.15% from 0.10%. However, Sitharaman clarified that there will be no change in short-term or long-term capital gains tax.
NRIs: Disclosure and investment access
For non-resident Indians, TDS will be deducted on the sale of immovable property. A foreign investment disclosure scheme was announced. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) will now be permitted to invest in equity instruments of listed Indian companies through the Portfolio Investment Scheme.
Railways and infrastructure: High-speed push
The Budget proposed seven high-speed rail corridors and one dedicated freight corridor. High-speed corridors will connect major economic centres, including Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Infrastructure measures include a new freight corridor at Dankuni in West Bengal, operationalisation of 20 new waterways, and a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme aimed at doubling modal share by 2047.
Education and skilling
The Budget proposed one girls’ hostel in every district, support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, to set up content labs in 15,000 secondary schools, and a new National Institute of Design in eastern India through a challenge-based route. States will be supported to develop five university townships near major industrial and logistics corridors.
Healthcare: Cancer drugs, trauma care, mental health
Sitharaman exempted basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs and announced nationwide strengthening of emergency and trauma care centres at district hospitals. The government will establish NIMHANS 2.0 in North India and add seven rare diseases to the list eligible for import duty exemption on personal medical imports.
Semiconductors and critical minerals
The Budget launched ISM 2.0, a semiconductor mission with an outlay of Rs 40,000 crore, and announced rare-earth corridors across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Industry, MSMEs and services
To boost industry, the government proposed a tax holiday for foreign companies offering cloud services using Indian data centres, mandated foreign digital firms to serve Indian customers through Indian reseller entities, and announced Rs 10,000 crore investment in biopharma over five years. Outlay on electronics manufacturing will rise to Rs 40,000 crore in FY27.
A Rs 10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund will be set up to create future champions. Customs will move to trust-based systems, with advance ruling validity extended to five years. A high-level committee will work towards raising the services sector’s contribution to 10% by 2047.
The Budget also reduced the APA timeline to two years (extendable by six months), cut MAT to 14% and made it the final tax, and raised the safe harbour threshold for IT services to Rs 2,000 crore.
Economy and fiscal math
Sitharaman pegged the fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP for 2026-27, with the debt-to-GDP ratio targeted at 55.6%. Capital expenditure will rise to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, while Rs 1.4 lakh crore will be devolved to states. Net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore, and gross market borrowings at Rs 17.2 lakh crore. The FM said that since the PM's Independence Day announcement in 2025, over 350 reforms have been implemented
Agriculture and fisheries
Measures include coconut and cashew promotion, rejuvenation of old orchards, high-density cultivation of walnuts, almonds and pine nuts, and integrated fisheries development across 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars. Fish caught in India’s EEZ or high seas will be duty-free even if landed at foreign ports. Sandalwood cultivation will be strengthened, and dividend income exemption granted to notified national cooperative federations for three years.
Tourism, jobs and defence
Tourism initiatives span trekking and hiking in J&K, Uttarakhand, Araku Valley and Pudigai Malai, wildlife and Buddhist heritage trails, development of 15 archaeological sites, a National Institute of Hospitality, and training of 10,000 tourist guides. India will host the first Global Big Cat Summit.
For defence, Rs 7.85 lakh crore has been allocated for 2026-27, including Rs 2.19 lakh crore capital outlay. Customs duty exemptions were announced for aircraft manufacturing and MRO. Civil aviation received Rs 4,699.92 crore, with UDAN allocation raised 27% to Rs 550 crore.