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Four Balance Sheet Challenge issue was hughlighted by a paper. India's economy has overcome significant financial stress. Now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman states India has a 'twin balance sheet advantage'. Corporate and financial sectors have recovered and are in excellent shape to support growth.

India Budget 2026: As India prepares for Union Budget 2026, this explainer details its significance as the government's annual financial blueprint. The Budget outlines revenue and expenditure plans, crucial for converting policy promises into action and managing finite resources to drive economic growth and social welfare.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2026. This marks a continuation of her tenure, joining a select group of finance ministers with multiple consecutive budgets. The meticulous preparation process, involving extensive consultations and departmental reviews, culminates in the budget's presentation to Parliament.

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for FY 2026-27 on February 1, 2026. Ahead of this, understanding key budget terms like Annual Financial Statement, Fiscal Deficit, and Revenue Expenditure is crucial for grasping the government's financial blueprint and economic strategy.

Full Budget and Vote on account explanation: A Full Budget is the government's comprehensive annual financial plan, detailing past performance and future revenue and spending. In contrast, a Vote on Account is a temporary measure for essential expenses when a full budget cannot be presented, typically during elections. Unlike a full budget, it doesn't introduce new policies or tax changes.

India Budget: Fiscal policy guides government revenue and spending to maintain economic health, addressing deficits through borrowing or reserves. It aims to control inflation, generate employment, and boost investments. In India, it's vital for revenue collection, encouraging savings, and reducing income inequality, working alongside monetary policy to shape economic growth and development.

Government Budgeting Understanding types of Budget Advantages Disadvantages: Governments utilize budgets to manage national finances, categorizing them into balanced, surplus, and deficit types. Each budget offers distinct advantages and disadvantages, impacting economic stability, public welfare, and national development. Effective planning and execution are crucial for a budget's overall success.

Budget 2026: A buyback tax, currently at 23.29%, was extended to listed companies in July 2019, having initially targeted unlisted firms in 2013. This tax discourages profit distribution via share repurchases over dividends. The dividend distribution tax was abolished in 2020, shifting the burden to dividend recipients.

India Budget: Governments resort to deficit financing when spending exceeds earnings, often to stimulate growth through tax cuts or infrastructure projects. While crucial for developing nations like India, it risks inflation and increased production costs, potentially deterring investment and widening economic inequality if overused.

Union Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present India's Union Budget 2026 in February. The budget's core is projecting nominal GDP growth. This estimate drives calculations for tax revenue, government spending, and borrowing needs. Key figures are often percentages of projected nominal GDP. Crude oil prices also significantly influence budget allocations, especially for subsidies. Realistic projections are crucial for budget credibility.

Union Budget 2026 fiscal glide path: India's fiscal deficit reached 52.6% of annual estimates in the first seven months. The government targets a 4.4% deficit for the current fiscal year. This fiscal glide path aims to reduce budget gaps. The NK Singh Committee proposed this plan. Deviations are allowed in extraordinary circumstances. Balancing fiscal discipline with economic needs is crucial for India's growth.

Budget 2026: The 2025-26 Union Budget significantly boosted India's public health. It expanded Ayushman Bharat to gig workers and offered duty exemptions on life-saving drugs. New medical seats were added, and district hospitals will get cancer centers. Digital health infrastructure also received a boost. These measures aimed to improve healthcare access and coverage across the nation.

Union Budget 2026- how to read budget: The Union Budget is the government’s annual financial blueprint outlining projected income, expenditure and policy priorities for the fiscal year.

Types of Deficits Explained: As Union Budget 2026 approaches, understanding fiscal deficits is crucial for assessing a nation's financial health. A deficit signifies the imbalance between the government’s expenditures and revenues. A deficit occurs when a government spends more money than it collects through various sources of revenue. There are mainly three types of budget deficits: Revenue deficit, fiscal deficit and primary deficit.

What is a Budget Plan: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on February 1, 2026. The budget, a comprehensive financial statement, outlines the nation's economic performance and future aspirations. Its preparation involves months of meticulous planning, consultations with diverse stakeholders, and final approval from the Cabinet. The Union Budget includes revenues and expenditures as its main components.

India has successfully met its fiscal deficit target for FY25 at 4.8% of GDP, with a further reduction planned to 4.4% for FY26. This achievement was bolstered by strong tax revenues and a significant dividend from the RBI. The government aims to continue this trend by managing revenue growth and controlling expenditure, particularly subsidies, while maintaining capital investments.

Union Budget 2026: Pre-Budget consultations for Union Budget 2026-27 have already started but a large question looms-its presentation date. February 1, 2026, a Sunday, coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti, a restricted holiday. Historically, the Indian Union Budget has been presented on Saturdays and even Sundays, with recent instances in 2015 and 2016.

What is government borrowing and how does it impact fiscal deficit? A key question ahead of the big day. As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, government borrowing and its impact on the fiscal deficit are under scrutiny. The Centre raises funds through securities to finance public expenditure, especially when revenues are low. Higher borrowing increases interest burdens, impacting future spending flexibility.

India Budget 2026: Work on Budget 2026 has commenced, following a meticulous five-step process initiated by the Department of Economic Affairs. This involves pre-budget estimates, inter-ministerial consultations, Cabinet approval, and parliamentary presentation. The final approved budget then guides the implementation of national financial plans and schemes for the upcoming fiscal year.

India's annual budget is its economic roadmap. It guides how the nation earns and spends money. The budget ensures fair resource distribution. It supports growth, reduces inequality, and strengthens key sectors. Public funds are used effectively for development and economic stability.

Details on Budget 2025

Union Budget 2025
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the first full Budget of Modi 3.0 today, focusing on tax relief for the middle class, allowing total tax exemption for income up to Rs 12 lakh per annum. In her speech, she emphasized the Budget's goals of supporting the GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata, and Nari shakti) — the poor, farmers, women, and youth. She also made notable announcements for Bihar, where elections are anticipated later this year.

Budget 2025: Major Highlights

Budget Theme
The Budget aims to implement transformative reforms in six key areas: taxation, power, urban development, financial sector, mining, and regulatory reforms. It emphasizes inclusive development to enhance middle-class spending power, viewing the next five years as a unique opportunity for widespread growth.

Income Tax Changes
A New Income Tax Bill will be introduced next week, featuring no income tax for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh and nil tax on Rs 12.75 lakh due to a standard deduction. The proposed simplified tax structure will benefit taxpayers across various income brackets. Notable changes include doubling the tax deduction limit for senior citizens and removing TCS on education remittances.

Following are the revised slabs and rates under new tax regime announced in the FY26 Budget:
Income up to Rs 4 lakh (per annum) ----- Nil
Between Rs 4 and 8 lakh ---------------- 5 per cent (tax)
Between Rs 8 and 12 lakh --------------- 10 per cent
Between Rs 12 and 16 lakh -------------- 15 per cent
Between Rs16 and 20 lakh --------------- 20 per cent
Between Rs 20 and 24 lakh -------------- 25 per cent
Above Rs 24 lakh ------------------------- 30 per cent
* Nil tax slab will apply for annual income up to Rs 12 lakh (Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried taxpayers with a standard deduction of Rs 75,000) under new tax regime.

Tax Moves for Businesses
Significant tax measures include making 36 life-saving drugs duty-free, cutting custom duty on lithium batteries, and reducing BCD on various goods. An asset monetization plan aims to generate Rs 10 lakh crore, while FDI in the insurance sector will increase to 100%.

State of the Economy
The FY25 fiscal deficit is projected at 4.8%, with a revised capex of Rs 10.18 lakh crore. Total receipts and expenditures for FY26 are estimated at Rs 34.96 lakh crore and Rs 50.65 lakh crore, respectively.

Big Measures for Agriculture
Initiatives include a new urea plant in Assam, a National Mission on High Yielding Seeds, and a five-year mission to boost cotton productivity. The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme will raise loan limits for farmers, and a PM Dhan Dhyan Krishi Yojana will target low-yield districts.

Reforms Announced
Plans include developing an asset monetization strategy and setting up a High-Level Committee for regulatory reforms. A National Manufacturing Mission will be launched to boost India's production capacity.

Infrastructure and Economy
Each ministry will devise a three-year project pipeline for PPP implementation, and states will receive Rs 1.5 lakh crore in interest-free loans for infrastructure development.

Education Schemes
The Budget proposes setting up 50,000 Tinkering Labs in schools and enhancing broadband connectivity in rural educational and health institutions.

Tourism and Exports
The top 50 tourist destinations will receive development support, and a digital platform for trade documentation will be established.

Aviation
A modified UDAN scheme will improve regional connectivity to 120 new destinations over the next decade.

Key Announcements for Bihar
Bihar will see the facilitation of greenfield airports and expansions at existing airports, alongside support for the Western Koshi Canal project.

Healthcare Initiatives
The Budget allocates funds for increasing medical college seats and establishing day-care cancer centers in district hospitals.

Budget Moves for MSMEs
Classification limits for MSMEs will expand, with enhanced credit guarantee covers to boost access to credit.

India Post Transformation
India Post will be revamped to support rural economies and businesses through a public logistics organization.

In essence, Budget 2025 emphasises tax relief, agricultural growth, infrastructure development, and a reform push, particularly benefiting the middle class and rural sectors.
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