India

The Union Budget 2026-27 has simplified customs procedures by rationalising exemptions, waiving duty on 17 cancer drugs, easing baggage rules, and cutting duty on personal imports to 10 per cent. It also introduced a trust-based system using AI and faster dispute settlement

Realtors’ body CREDAI has expressed disappointment over the Union Budget’s failure to support affordable housing. It warned of a sharp decline in supply and urged the government to take urgent steps, while welcoming higher infrastructure spending and ease of doing business

The Union Budget has given a major boost to the sports goods manufacturing sector with a Rs 500 crore allocation. Funding for sports bodies, Khelo India and youth programmes has also been increased to support infrastructure, training and employment

Union Budget 2026 allocates funds for the Dankuni–Surat freight corridor, East Coast Industrial Corridor, tourism under Purvodaya, and 4,000 e-buses, drawing political debate as West Bengal prepares for Assembly elections, with TMC dismissing the moves as campaign-driven.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 that interest on compensation awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) will be tax-free and exempt from TDS, effective from April 1, 2026, to ease hardship for victims and families.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed major changes in buyback taxation, taxing them as capital gains and imposing higher rates on promoters. Experts say the move may push companies to prefer dividends and capital spending over buybacks

The Union Budget 2026–27 proposes a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund and a three-pronged approach—Equity, Liquidity, and Professional Support—to help MSMEs become ‘Champions’, with TReDS, GeM, and Corporate Mitras enhancing finance, compliance, and growth.

Ranchi is set to get NIMHANS 2.0 after the Union Budget announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The new institute will strengthen mental healthcare facilities in Jharkhand and neighbouring states, building on the city’s long-standing psychiatric institutions

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has criticised the Union Budget for ignoring West Bengal and failing to address farmers, youth and other communities. He accused the Centre of branding Bengalis as Bangladeshis and called the Budget visionless and baseless

The Union Budget 2026 proposes Rs 73,990 crore for the Telecom Ministry, driven by capital support for BSNL, rural broadband project BharatNet, and North East development. The move aims to boost connectivity, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen state-run telecom services.

The Union Budget 2026 allocates Rs 6,000 crore for Census 2027, delayed due to Covid-19. The two-phase exercise will cover houselisting and population enumeration, including caste enumeration, with digital devices and self-enumeration options for citizens.

India has not allocated funds for the Chabahar port project in the latest Union Budget amid fresh US sanctions on Iran. The move comes as a previous waiver nears expiry and New Delhi reviews its options on the strategic project

The government has announced an integrated programme to boost the labour-intensive textile sector, including mega textile parks, fibre and skilling schemes, and support for weavers and exporters. The measures aim to improve jobs, exports and competitiveness

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

The government has proposed nearly a 19 per cent increase in investment by nine state-owned power sector firms in 2026-27, taking the total to over Rs 1 lakh crore. Major PSUs like NTPC and Power Grid will lead the expansion

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a high-level committee on banking to support Viksit Bharat goals. The panel will review sector performance, strengthen financial stability and improve efficiency, while reforms for NBFCs and foreign investments are also planned

The Union Budget 2026–27 proposes a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign cloud companies using data centres in India to serve global customers. The move aims to attract investment, boost data centre capacity and position India as a global AI and digital infrastructure hub.

India has allocated Rs 7.84 lakh crore for defence in Budget 2026–27, marking a 15% rise over last year. The higher outlay focuses on modernisation, capital expenditure, defence manufacturing and welfare of ex-servicemen amid rising security challenges.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget in a business-like speech marked by symbolism and political reactions. While the BJP hailed the Budget, opposition members alleged neglect of certain states, making the day a mix of policy and parliamentary theatre.

The Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated Rs 4,551.94 crore to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, with major funding for Prasar Bharati, media infrastructure, AVGC talent development and community radio. The allocation is lower than last year’s revised estimate.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Union Budget 2026–27, saying it lacks policy vision and offers no solutions to key challenges such as jobs, inequality, manufacturing slowdown and federal stress, even as the government raised capital expenditure targets.

The government has allocated Rs 3.09 lakh crore to the Road Transport and Highways Ministry in Budget 2026–27, an 8% rise over the current year. Funding for NHAI has also increased as the authority works to reduce debt.

The Union Budget 2026–27 allocates Rs 1.06 lakh crore to the Health Ministry, marking a 10% increase. The government plans regional medical hubs, expansion of allied healthcare professionals, and higher funding for key health schemes and institutions.

The government has proposed allowing Indian non-residents to invest in domestic equities through the Portfolio Investment Scheme. Announced in Budget 2026–27, the move aims to boost market liquidity, attract stable inflows and support currency stability.