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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.

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.

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.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Union Budget 2026–27 historic, saying it reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, boosts reforms, supports MSMEs, and lays a strong foundation for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

India’s economy is projected to grow 6.8–7.2 per cent in 2026-27, according to the Economic Survey, which flagged global trade risks and US tariffs, but maintained that strong fundamentals, policy reforms and resilient demand will keep growth momentum intact

Public sector bank services are set to be disrupted nationwide as the United Forum of Bank Unions goes on strike seeking implementation of a five-day work week, with branch-level operations affected while digital services continue

India stayed away from the launch of US President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos, saying it is still examining the proposal. Several major powers also skipped the initiative, which is being pitched as a global peace body

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked food delivery and quick-commerce platforms, including Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato, to remove rigid “10-minute” delivery commitments, stressing delivery partner safety. Blinkit has complied, and other companies assured similar action across ads and social media

Ducati India plans 10 new and updated motorcycle launches in 2026, including the Panigale V4 Lamborghini, Monster V2, and Hypermotard V2. The Panigale V4R is already available, with bookings open at dealerships across major Indian cities.

Blinkit has removed its 10-minute delivery claim following concerns over gig worker safety. The move comes after Labour Ministry discussions with quick-commerce platforms, even as the company maintains that faster deliveries do not pressure riders or encourage unsafe driving.

The Supreme Court clarified that it has not ordered the removal of all stray dogs from streets and directed authorities to treat them strictly as per Animal Birth Control Rules, as it continued hearing pleas related to stray dog management and public safety