Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, a rare Sunday sitting and a first in independent India’s history. The Budget for FY27 (April 2026–March 2027) is expected to outline measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline and push reforms to shield the economy from global trade frictions,…
What do salaried taxpayers, middle class, and the common man want from Union Budget 2026? (AI image) Budget 2026 income tax expectations: Like every year, salaried taxpayers, middle class and common man will listen to FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget speech in the hope of more tax relief. Last year, FM Sitharaman announced major changes…
India’s gold and silver imports surged to record levels in 2025, ringing alarm bells in government and policy circles as soaring precious metal prices threaten to widen the trade deficit and add fresh pressure on the rupee. With limited policy tools available, officials and market participants told Reuters raising import duties is once again emerging…
Improving the ease of doing business has been a consistent focus of the government. Successive Budgets have announced initiatives towards policy and regulatory reforms, decriminalisation and easing compliances in various spheres including taxation. The current financial year witnessed significant measures like structural simplification through the new Income tax law, boosting consumption through tax reliefs for…
MUMBAI: IDFC First Bank reported a 48.1% jump in net profit to Rs 503 crore for the third quarter ended December, from Rs 339 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The increase was helped by higher core income, lower sequential provisions and an improvement in asset quality.The bank’s bottom line improved aided by stronger…
The Union Budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year will be presented on Sunday, February 1, with the government expected to prioritise job creation, agricultural development, inclusive manufacturing and digital transformation, according to experts.Osmania University Professor Satish Raikindi outlined a range of expectations from the upcoming budget, suggesting that the government is likely to place emphasis…
Several banking and card-related changes will come into effect from February 2026, affecting everyday transactions, credit card benefits and compliance requirements for customers of State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Punjab National Bank, according to ET.Among the key changes, SBI will revise service charges on certain IMPS transactions from February 15, 2026….
As the Union Budget 2026–27 approaches, education stakeholders across schools, higher education, skilling, and edtech are calling for focused policy measures and financial support to strengthen learning outcomes, employability, and workforce readiness. These expectations come amid a steady rise in education allocations over the past few years and an increased emphasis on execution and infrastructure.The…
A determined farmer integrates solar power into his rural Indian landscape, balancing tradition with a sustainable future. NEW DELHI: Relatively slow growth in electricity demand in 2025–26, surplus power availability during solar hours leading to weak demand, and assured power availability for discoms after 2028–29 are among the reasons why renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs)…
With Budget 2026 just a day away, focus has returned to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s red bahi khaata and what it could hold for different sectors. First introduced in 2019, the traditional red ledger has since een representing not just a functional item, but a conscious shift away from colonial-era customs, towards a more…