Business

Modest allocations and limited structural reforms raise concerns over income volatility, climate stress, and long-term agricultural resilience

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the Budget proposal to allow SEZ units to sell goods in the domestic market at concessional duty will promote import substitution and job creation. Details will be rolled out in two to three months

Foreign Portfolio Investors withdrew nearly Rs 36,000 crore from Indian equities in January amid global uncertainties and weak sentiment. Analysts said the proposed STT hike, strong dollar, and geopolitical tensions may further affect overseas inflows in the near term

The Finance Ministry is considering raising foreign direct investment in public sector banks to 49 per cent to strengthen their capital base. Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju said consultations are under way, while also highlighting plans for IDBI Bank sale and the need for big lenders

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the FY27 Union Budget prioritises investment and growth, defended the STT hike on F&O trades, outlined fiscal consolidation plans, and expressed confidence in sustaining private consumption and disinvestment efforts in the coming months

Industry players said microwave oven prices may see only a minor impact after customs duty exemption in the FY27 budget. The move is expected to boost domestic manufacturing, improve component sourcing and strengthen India’s consumer electronics sector

Gold and silver prices fell sharply on Monday due to higher margin requirements, strong US economic data and policy concerns. Analysts said rising dollar, higher yields and cautious investor sentiment weighed on bullion prices in domestic and global markets

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Monday on value buying in blue-chip stocks, a day after markets slumped sharply on Budget day following a hike in securities transaction tax on equity derivatives.

The rupee strengthened by 37 paise to 91.56 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, supported by easing crude oil prices a day after the Union Budget, even as high government borrowing weighed on sentiment.

Amid global uncertainty, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focuses on targeted measures to sustain growth, favouring steady interventions over headline-grabbing announcements

Unless employment and training are linked to productivity, performance, and survivability, labour reforms risk creating jobs that exist on paper but fail in practice

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of specialised rare earth corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The initiative aims to boost mining, processing, research, and manufacturing, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening India’s critical minerals capabilities

CII welcomed the Union Budget proposal to establish dedicated rare earth corridors in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The initiative aims to boost mining, processing, research, and manufacturing, strengthening India’s leadership in rare earth magnets and critical minerals

India’s Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 7.84 lakh crore for defence, including Rs 2.19 lakh crore for capital expenditure and Rs 5.53 lakh crore for revenue. Customs duty exemptions on aircraft components aim to boost the defence aerospace sector

Congress criticised Union Budget 2026-27 as “lacklustre” and “non-transparent,” saying Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech omitted key allocations. While capex rises to Rs 12.2 lakh crore and infrastructure plans were outlined, critics say the budget falls short of expectations

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a Rs 12.2 lakh crore infrastructure push in Union Budget 2026-27, focusing on Tier-2/Tier-3 cities, east-west freight corridors, inland waterways, and an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to boost investment, connectivity, and regional development

Indian markets saw sharp intra-day falls after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27. Sensex dropped over 2,300 points, Nifty over 600, as investors remained cautious amid limited tax relief and awaited sectoral and fiscal policy announcements 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a high-level Banking Committee for Viksit Bharat, restructuring key financial institutions, reviewing FEMA rules, promoting corporate and municipal bonds, and easing foreign investment limits to strengthen India’s banking sector and boost ease of doing business

The Income Tax Act, 2025, will come into force from April 1, replacing the 1961 law. The revenue-neutral legislation simplifies tax rules, reduces litigation, introduces a single tax-year system, and eases compliance through redesigned return forms.

The Union Budget 2026–27 proposed a Rs 10,000 crore Bio Pharma Shakti scheme to boost biologics and biosimilars, alongside allied health job creation, caregiver training, healthcare infrastructure expansion and continued reforms to support growth and inclusion.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed seven high-speed rail corridors linking major Indian cities, promoting regional growth, faster travel, and lower emissions. She also outlined banking reforms, foreign investment modernization, and an integrated textile programme under the Union Budget 2026-27

Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined three ‘Kartavyas’ aimed at accelerating economic growth, fulfilling people’s aspirations and ensuring inclusive access to resources, while signalling continued reforms and higher capital expenditure.

US President Donald Trump claimed India will buy Venezuelan oil instead of Iranian supplies, suggesting a shift in global energy flows and inviting China to participate. New Delhi has not confirmed the deal, and details on timelines or volumes remain unclear

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the 16th Finance Commission report in Lok Sabha, outlining tax devolution between Centre and states for 2026–2031. Headed by Arvind Panagariya, the panel proposes formulas guiding Centre–state fiscal relations