FM said the government has accepted recommendation of 16th Finance Commission to retain vertical share of devolution at 41%.

FM Sitharaman said fiscal deficit reduced below 4.5% of GDP.

For the labour-intensive textile sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed an integrated programme with key components. The Minister emphasised that the first pillar of her plan, the National Fibre Scheme, aims to "achieve self-reliance in natural fibres like silk, wool, and jute, as well as man-made and new industrial-age fibres."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has set the debt-to-GDP ratio at 55.6% for FY27 in the Union Budget, outlining the medium-term fiscal position as it balances public spending needs with fiscal consolidation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed setting up a high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat to carry out a comprehensive review of the banking sector. The Budget also outlines a proposal to restructure Power Finance Corporation and REC Limited, two major state-owned NBFCs under the Ministry of Power.

The roughly 9% increase in capital expenditure in this budget underlines the government’s sustained and consistent focus on infrastructure over the last decade, reinforcing continuity rather than signalling a one-off push. The budget outlines an encouraging and forward-looking vision for upgrading India’s logistics ecosystem. Initiatives like the East–West Dedicated Freight Corridor have the potential to significantly improve freight movement across underdeveloped regions, while the planned operationalisation of 22 new national waterways over the next five years signals a long-term, integrated approach to multi modal logistics development, said Raghav Madan, director, Deloitte.

The government has announced plans to operationalise 20 new National Waterways over the next five years, aimed at strengthening inland water transport and improving logistics efficiency.

Kishan Arora, partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, said, Budget 2026 signals tax stability with a clear focus on widening the tax base through growth initiatives rather than further tinkering with GST rates. Govt's focus on expanding domestic manufacturing points will gradually substitute import dependency giving impetus through Reform Express initiatives to further enhance "Make in India" campaign in spirit and form.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed a 10-year Khelo India Mission for the sports sector, signalling a sustained policy push to strengthen grassroots talent and sporting infrastructure.

Speaking on rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new scheme to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters.

The initiative aims to improve cost competitiveness, efficiency, and productivity, giving a fresh boost to traditional and established industrial hubs across the country.

FM proposes to set a high-powered education to employment and enterprise innovation standing committee to recommend measure that focus on services sector.

Nirmala Sitharaman in her speech announced plans to set up “Content Creator labs” in 15,000 schools across India and establish five university townships near industry corridors to promote skill development and innovation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed one girls hostel in every district.

FM Sitharaman proposed loan-linked capital subsidy support scheme for veterinary collages, hospitals.

FM says 7 high-speed rail corridors to be built as development linkages between cities.

Govt to support states in setting up five hubs for medical tourism, said Sitharaman.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman siad, "To promote environmentally sustainable movement of cargo, I propose to establish new dedicated freight corridors connecting Dankuni in the east to Surat in the west, operational 20 new waterways over the next 5 years, starting with national waterways 5 in Odisha to connect mineral-rich areas of Talcher and Angul and industrial centres like Kalinganagar to the ports of Paradip and Damra. A ship repair ecosystem, catering to inland waterways, will also be set up at Varanasi and Patna..."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will undertake a restructuring of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). She also announced plans to introduce a market-making framework for the corporate bond market to enhance liquidity and depth. In a further reform measure, Sitharaman said individual residents living outside India will be permitted to invest in Indian equities.

Finance Minister Sitharaman proposed an allocation of ₹5,000 crore for a new City Economic Regions scheme to spur urban-led growth. She also announced measures to ease equity market access for residents living overseas, proposing to allow investments through the portfolio route. Under the proposal, the individual investment limit for PROIs will be raised to 10% from 5%, while the overall investment cap is set to increase to 24% from 10%.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman said ₹10,000 crore SME growth fund to create champions among MSMEs. FM proposes a three-pronged approach to help MSMEs grow – equity support via MSME growth fund FM also proposes to top up self-reliant Indian Fund with ₹2,000 crore.

To enhance domestic chemical production and reduce import dependency, we will launch a scheme to support states in establishing three dedicated chemical paths through challenge route on a cluster based plug n play model, said FM.

In her Budget speech, the Finance Minister proposed setting up of Infra Risk Fund to strengthen private developers risk management.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces public capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27. Deloitte Director Raghav Madan says the allocation is "good enough" as it is in line with the GDP growth. Budget also announced measures for infrastructure push in cities.

In the Union Budget 2026–27 presented on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a major push for the semiconductor industry, unveiling Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with a sharply higher outlay of ₹40,000 crore. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s domestic ecosystem through industry-led research, dedicated training centres and support for mineral-rich states.

Reacting to the announcement, semiconductor and electronics-related stocks traded mostly higher during the special Budget session, as investors bet on sustained policy support for domestic manufacturing.

The Finance Minister said public capital expenditure has risen sharply from ₹2 lakh crore in 2014–15 to an allocation of ₹11.2 lakh crore in Budget Estimates for 2025–26. The Budget 2026 proposes to raise public capex further to ₹12.2 lakh crore to keep the momentum going, FM said.

India's disease burden observed to be shifting towards non communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and auto immune disorders. But biologic medicines are key to longevity and quality of life at affordable cost. To develop India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub, I propose Biopharma Shakti with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over next five years... Strategy to include a biopharma focus network with three new national institutes of pharmaceutical education and research, and upgrading seven existing ones. It will also create a network of 1000 accredited India clinical trials sites, said FM.

FM proposes Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative to strengthen Khadi handloom and scheme to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters in Budget.

Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the "Reform Express" is on its way and the government will keep the momentum. "Our Kartavya is to ensure every family, community, and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities," she said.

FM said that biopharma strategy for health advancement through knowledge, technology, and innovation.

1. Scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors

2. Rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors

3. Creating champion MSMEs

4. Delivering a powerful push for infra

5. Ensuring long term security and stability

6. Developing city economic regions

FM said that the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, which was launched in 2025, has attracted investment commitments worth double its target. The government now proposes to raise the scheme’s outlay to ₹40,000 crore.

A scheme for rare earth permanent magnets was launched in 2025 November. We now propose to support mineral rich states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated rare earth corridors, to promote mining, processing, research and manufacturing, said Sitharaman.

The emphasis on domestic manufacturing reflects a strategic effort to reduce import dependence while generating employment, particularly in labour-intensive sectors. A 7% growth trajectory is feasible and can support further poverty reduction if driven by investment and exports rather than consumption alone. The key factor is whether growth translates into broad-based job creation and durable income gains, said Manmeet Kaur, Partner at Karanjawala & Co.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday outlined what she described as the government’s “three Kartavyas” while presenting the Budget. Noting that this is the first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, she said the exercise was guided by three key responsibilities. The first, she said, is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by boosting productivity and competitiveness, while building resilience amid volatile global conditions.

The second Kartavya, Sitharaman said, is to fulfil the aspirations of the people by strengthening their capabilities and making them active partners in India’s journey towards prosperity.

The third, aligned with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation in the economy.

We have pursued far reaching structural reforms, fiscal prudence, and monetary stability whilst maintaining a strong thrust on public investment. We have built domestic manufacturing capacity, energy security and reduced critical import dependencies. Simultaneously we have ensured that citizens benefit from every action of the government, undertaking reforms to support employment generation, agricultural productivity , household purchasing power, and universal services to people. These measures have delivered a high growth rate of around 7% and helped us make substantial strides in poverty reduction and improvement in the lives of our people, finance minister said.

Need to sustain the momentum of structural reforms. Our government has undertaken comprehensive reforms. Over 350 reforms have been rolled out, including GST reforms. Centre is working with States on deregulation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, this will be a 'Yuva-Shakti' driven Budget.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India’s economic journey has been defined by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, as she underscored the government’s focus on long-term reforms. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “chosen reform over rhetoric,” asserting that a series of structural reforms and policy initiatives have strengthened the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and ensured overall economic stability.

Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty extended their gains in morning trade on Sunday, buoyed by expectations ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27. After a volatile start, the 30-share BSE Sensex recovered to rise 272.23 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 82,542.01. The broader NSE Nifty also traded in the green, gaining 66.9 points to reach 25,387.55.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Union Budget 2026. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will now table her ninth consecutive Budget in the Lok Sabha, the third of the BJP-led NDA government’s third term, amid global uncertainties and a slowdown in exports.

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to table the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha at 11 am on Sunday, attention has once again turned to a familiar but deliberate aspect of her Budget Day appearances—her choice of handloom attire. 

Kancheevaram silk sarees originate from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and are regarded as among India’s most premium handwoven textiles. Known for their use of pure mulberry silk, durability and intricate weaving techniques, Kancheevaram sarees trace their origins to the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century. The craft remains a key livelihood for thousands of weavers in Tamil Nadu and continues to occupy an important place in India’s handloom economy. 

Indian benchmark indices were trading higher in early trade during Sunday’s special session, ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27 to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman later today.

At 10:25 am, the BSE Sensex was up 225 points, or 0.27%, at 82,509, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 44 points, or 0.2%, to trade at 25,364.

Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget for FY27 in the Lok Sabha at 11:00 am. Following the budget speech, the budget documents will be tabled in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. recorded its “highest-ever” monthly domestic sales of 59,107 units in January 2026, registering a 9.5% year-on-year growth. HMIL also achieved its highest-ever total monthly sales of 73,137 units in January 2026, with a robust year-on-year growth of 11.5%, including monthly export sales of 14,030 units with year-on-year growth of 20.9%, the company said in a release.

Gold and silver prices plunged up to 9% in futures trade on Sunday, hitting their lower circuit levels ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27, as investors extended profit booking after the recent record-breaking rally. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the FY27 budget in Parliament later in the day. The rout extended for the second straight day, with the April contract for gold futures declining ₹13,711, or 9%, to ₹1,38,634 per 10 grams, touching its lower circuit level in the futures trade on the MCX. In the previous session, the yellow metal plunged ₹31,617, or 17.2%, to close at ₹1,52,345 per 10 grams, after hitting a record high of ₹1,93,096 per 10 grams on Thursday.

"Investment in India’s infrastructure sector over the past decade has been transformative. As a result, the sector is not looking at a major reset, but rather a continuity of policy. We expect the government’s capital expenditure push to remain intact in Budget 2026, with scope for a modest increase over last year to bridge infrastructure gaps. There is also a significant opportunity to deepen public–private partnerships beyond roads into non-traditional segments such as urban transport, water, and social infrastructure. Asset monetisation will be another key lever—building on the success of the first National Monetisation Pipeline and expanding it into newer sectors. Overall, Budget 2026 is likely to focus on strong public investment, smarter private participation, and sharper asset efficiency," said Raghav Madan, Director, Deloitte.

Equity market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fluctuated in a narrow range in early trade on Sunday ahead of the Budget 2026-27 presentation. After opening the day on a positive note, the 30-share BSE Sensex later fluctuated and quoted 13 points up at 82,282.82. The 50-share NSE Nifty skidded 7.90 points to 25,312.75 after opening marginally higher.

Employment generation and workforce skilling are expected to remain the focus areas in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's ninth consecutive budget today. Recent Budgets have relied on production-linked incentive schemes and higher infrastructure spending to support job creation, particularly in manufacturing and construction. However, economists note that employment gains have been uneven, with services absorbing most new workers while manufacturing-led hiring has lagged.

Formal job creation continues to face challenges such as skill mismatches, compliance costs and limited credit access for MSMEs, which remain among the country’s largest employers. Skilling programmes and digital training initiatives have expanded in recent years, but industry stakeholders argue that stronger alignment between education, vocational training and emerging sectors is essential.

Ahead of the Budget, businesses are seeking targeted incentives for labour-intensive industries, simplified compliance norms and support for first-time hiring. With millions entering the workforce each year, Budget 2026 will be closely watched for measures that can convert economic growth into durable employment gains.

Electric mobility remains a key focus ahead of the Budget, with automakers calling for continued EV incentives, faster charging infrastructure rollout and clear long-term policy signals. Stable taxation and sustained infrastructure spending are also seen as critical for competitiveness.

Gross GST collections rose 6.2% year-on-year to ₹1.93 lakh crore in January 2026, up from ₹1.82 lakh crore in the same period last year, reflecting steady consumption even as global uncertainty lingered. Domestic revenues did the heavy lifting, rising nearly 4.8% to ₹1.41 lakh crore, while import-related GST also grew at a faster pace.

FY26 has been exceptionally good for the auto sector with GST reduction and income tax cuts. India’s automobile industry is now looking for measures to revive demand, support electric mobility and ensure policy continuity. Recent government initiatives such as the FAME scheme, production-linked incentive (PLI) programmes for auto and battery manufacturing, and duty exemptions on key EV inputs have shaped the sector’s transition, while GST rationalisation has aided affordability.

As Nirmala Sitharaman prepares for her Sunday Budget presentation, the defence sector is no longer just looking for a higher allocation—it is looking for the liquidity to execute. Following the Operation Sindoor that happened in mid-2025, the ministry of defence reportedly exhausted 62% of its ₹1.72 lakh crore outlay by November 2025. Brokerages project a double-digit jump in defence capex for FY27, noting that sustained spending is critical to maintain the indigenisation momentum for platforms like HAL’s Tejas and BEL’s electronics suites.

Nuvama Institutional Equities expects an 8% growth in capital expenditure, with a  tilt toward R&D, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and anti-drone technologies to address new-age warfare requirements identified in recent months.

Customs duties and indirect tax system play a big role in how goods move across borders and how competitive Indian businesses are in global markets. Over the last few years, the government has made several changes to simplify the way imports and exports are taxed, reduce delays at ports, and support major initiatives like Make in India. But challenges remain. Ahead of Budget 2026, PwC has shared recommendations that aim to make the system even more predictable, efficient, and business-friendly. India uses a mix of basic customs duty, additional tariffs, and exemptions. There are multiple duty slabs, meaning goods fall into different categories with different rates. Some inputs (raw materials and parts) face high tariffs, while some finished products attract lower duties, especially under free trade agreements. This can sometimes create duty inversion where inputs cost more than finished products.

Industry sentiment is shifting decisively away from headline-grabbing announcements towards policy clarity, continuity and execution, according to Grant Thornton Bharat’s pre-Budget expectations survey. With the economy projected to grow at around 6.5–7% in FY26 and central government capital expenditure now more than three times its FY20 level, businesses are assessing how the Budget will sustain momentum while crowding in private investment. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty and a calibrated fiscal consolidation path targeting a deficit of about 4.4% of GDP, Budget 2026 is being watched as a signal of India’s medium-term economic intent.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has said the government must decriminalise direct taxes, limiting prosecution only to cases of willful tax evasion. The move will bring the much needed fairness, the authority said. “With Budget 2026, the government must send a strong signal of trust by accelerating decriminalisation under direct taxes and limiting prosecution strictly to cases of wilful tax evasion. Removing dual penalties and rationalising punitive provisions will bring much-needed fairness and certainty to the tax system,” said Charanjot Singh Nanda, president, ICAI. 

Amid sustained foreign selling, investors are closely watching whether Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce relief measures in the Union Budget to revive FPI sentiment, particularly on long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax. Currently, LTCG arises from the sale of capital assets such as stocks and property held for more than 24 months and is taxed at 12.5% across all capital assets. However, in the case of listed equity shares, equity-oriented mutual funds and units of business trusts, gains up to ₹1.25 lakh are exempt from tax. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Ltd., said expectations of sweeping tax relief are muted this year, given the substantial income tax cuts announced in the 2025 Budget. However, selective tweaks remain possible. “If there is an increase in the exemption limit for long-term capital gains tax from the current ₹1.25 lakh to a higher threshold, that would be positive for the market,” he said.

As the Budget 2026 approaches, expectations are building that agriculture will be positioned as a key growth driver rather than a sector reliant on welfare measures. Policymakers and industry leaders believe the Budget could mark a turning point in India’s medium-term growth strategy, placing agriculture at the centre of the country's economic agenda. Agriculture remains the largest employer in India, engaging nearly 45% of the workforce, but contributes less than one-fifth to the country’s gross value added (GVA). This stark disparity highlights longstanding structural and productivity challenges that experts say the upcoming Budget must address. 

 Expectations are building around direct tax relief for the salaried class and targeted rationalisation of import and customs duties, with experts saying the government is likely to strike a balance between fiscal consolidation and growth support. Tax and policy specialists said the Budget could deliver meaningful relief to individuals, particularly salaried taxpayers while using calibrated tariff changes to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address long-standing duty distortions. On the indirect tax front, Krishan Arora, Partner – Indirect Tax at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the government is expected to maintain a measured approach to customs duties, with a sharper focus on sectors affected by inverted duty structures, such as textiles.

As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, India’s travel and tourism industry is rallying around a common set of expectations centred on connectivity expansion, tax rationalisation and policy recognition of hospitality as core economic infrastructure. With domestic travel demand deepening across leisure, pilgrimage, weddings and business travel, industry leaders say the focus now needs to shift from demand creation to removing capacity and cost constraints.

Connectivity remains the sector’s most pressing concern. Travel companies are seeking faster implementation of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, expansion of airport capacity in Tier II and Tier III cities, and higher allocations for rail infrastructure and last-mile connectivity. Industry executives say better coordination between air and rail planning is essential to support tourism circuits under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and the PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme, as emerging destinations see rising footfalls.

Domestic aviation demand continues to scale, with passenger traffic crossing 15 crore between January and November 2025. However, companies warn that infrastructure bottlenecks could cap growth. Several regional airports revived in recent years remain underutilised due to commercial and operational challenges, underscoring the need to operationalise existing capacity alongside new investments.

Taxation is another major friction point. Airlines and travel platforms have reiterated calls to bring aviation turbine fuel under GST to ease cost volatility, while bus operators are seeking parity in GST treatment for non-AC tickets booked online versus offline. Hospitality companies are also pushing for GST rationalisation and restoration of input tax credit to improve competitiveness and affordability.

Hotel chains are urging the government to grant infrastructure status to hospitality, arguing it would unlock long-term financing, accelerate investment beyond metros and strengthen local employment ecosystems. Industry players are also seeking continued support for spiritual tourism corridors and relief on ESOP taxation to improve workforce stability across travel and hospitality businesses.

The Nifty opened higher at 25,333.75, marginally up by 13.10 points, or 0.05%, above 25,320.65 in the previous session. Market breadth was mildly positive, with 21 stocks advancing and 18 declining, indicating a lack of strong directional momentum.

The trading session started with the Sensex opening higher at 82,388.97 compared with its previous close of 82,269.78, with 9 stocks advancing and 21 declining. 

Hindalco crashed 6.39% in the early minutes of the trade, followed by Tata Steel, which was down by 2.51%. Sun Pharma leads, rising 3.49%, followed by Bajaj Auto, which was up by 1.43%. 

Gift Nifty was trading at 25,360.50, falling by 59 points or 0.26%.

Companies across FMCG, retail, consumer durables and agri-linked sectors are calling for a measured approach that supports consumption without stoking inflation, while addressing cost pressures and tax frictions.

A key ask is a boost to household spending power, especially among the middle class. Industry executives argue that sustained consumption growth will hinge on higher disposable incomes, with several pitching for income tax relief to revive discretionary demand amid rising input costs and currency volatility.

Tax clarity and GST rationalisation also feature prominently. Companies are seeking neutral treatment of post-sale discounts, relief from inverted duty structures, and faster refunds of accumulated input tax credits to ease working capital stress. Executives say incremental improvements to GST rules, rather than sweeping changes, would strengthen pricing discipline and operational stability.

Manufacturing and localisation remain another focus area. Consumer durables players have urged continuity in customs duty relief on critical components such as Open Cell panels, warning that any hike could raise television prices by around 10 percent and dampen demand. Others have sought duty rationalisation on key inputs, expansion of PLI schemes and support for component manufacturing to improve cost competitiveness.

Rural demand and agri infrastructure are also in sharp focus. Industry leaders have called for higher investment in logistics, cold chains and food processing, alongside policy support for domestic oilseed cultivation to reduce import dependence and stabilise prices.

If the Economic Survey tabled on Thursday serves as a cue for the upcoming Union Budget, a number of measures like thrust on manufacturing, strategic indispensability in global value chains, and value-added industrial output, with an overarching theme of Swadeshi and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat may be some of the key aspects in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Bahi Khata today.

Fiscal prudence and reliance on public private partnership (PPP) for infrastructure could be some of the key themes that may find resonance in the Budget.

Ahead of the budget, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a four-pillar approach for macro-economic stability with debt sustainability, fiscal transparency, revenue mobilisation, and expenditure efficiency at its core.

“India stands at a pivotal juncture in its growth journey. With real GDP expanding by a healthy 8% in the first half of FY26 and inflation remaining well anchored, the economy is displaying what the RBI has aptly termed a “Goldilocks” scenario of strong growth coexisting with price stability. This favorable alignment reflects the government’s proactive fiscal stance and prudent macroeconomic management,” said CII.

EY has said the government should consider extending Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to new technology segments such as AI, space, among others in the Budget.

 “To stimulate private investments, the existing Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme may be extended to cover new technology sectors such as AI, space, and robotics,” said Sameer Gupta, national tax leader, EY India.

“Additionally, public infrastructure investments in futuristic areas, including AI, GenAI, robotics, and space technology, may induce growth of private investment in these sectors,” Gupta said.

State governments on Saturday urged finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allocate higher funds under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) in the upcoming budget, and continue with the scheme, quoting its significance for infrastructure creation in the states.  

The scheme was launched in 2020-21 by the ministry to assist the state governments with capital expenditure and infrastructure in the states via 50-year interest free loans. The total allocation to the states under the scheme ever since it was launched stands at ₹4.25 lakh crore.

The Union government may shift track on the infrastructure allocation in the upcoming budget with more focus on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and private sector participation for infrastructure creation rather than thrust towards public capital expenditure, which has been the strategy since Covid-19 pandemic while it may focus on the consumption engine, and a supply side boost in the economy.

 the government has already announced public-private partnership (PPP) projects worth ₹17 lakh crore for the next three years. The budget may lay down the policy direction for having right PPP models across the key segments like highways, railways and power sector.  

Of the total 852 projects to be taken up on PPP basis in the pipeline, 232 are central government projects worth ₹13.15 lakh crore while 620 projects worth ₹3.84 lakh crore will be taken up by the states and Union territories.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) today said the government must decriminalize direct taxes, limiting prosecution only to cases of willful tax evasion. The move will bring the much needed fairness, the authority said.

“With Budget 2026, the government must send a strong signal of trust by accelerating decriminalisation under direct taxes and limiting prosecution strictly to cases of wilful tax evasion. Removing dual penalties and rationalising punitive provisions will bring much-needed fairness and certainty to the tax system,” said Charanjot Singh Nanda, president, ICAI.

CII said its analysis shows that reducing the government’s stake to 51% in 78 listed PSEs could unlock close to ₹10 lakh crore.

“In the first two years of the roadmap, disinvestment strategy could target 55 PSEs where the Government holds 75% or less, mobilising around ₹4.6 lakh crore. In the subsequent stage, 23 PSEs with higher Government stakes (over 75%) could be disinvested, potentially bringing in ₹5.4 lakh crore,” it added.

CII has outlined a four-pronged comprehensive strategy to provide a fillip to the government’s privatisation plan, with a demand based approach from investors being the top pillar of the strategy.

“First, CII recommends a shift to a demand-based approach in selecting PSEs for privatisation. Second, to provide investors greater clarity and planning time, CII recommends that the government announce a rolling three-year privatisation pipeline, outlining which enterprises are likely to be taken up for privatisation during this period,” it said.  

“Third, an institutional framework can strengthen oversight, accountability, and investor confidence, making privatisation predictable and professionally managed. Fourth, recognising that full privatisation of all non-strategic PSEs is a complex and time-consuming, CII recommends a calibrated disinvestment approach combined with a three-year roadmap, as an interim measure,” it said in a pre-budget recommendation on the matter.

Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for unlocking value from the country’s public sector enterprises through fast tracking privatisation. The industry body has suggested investor led three year pipeline for the same focusing on sectors where private sector can enhance efficiency and bring about global competitiveness.

“To sustain capital expenditure and address developmental priorities amid global economic uncertainties, the CII in its proposals for the union budget 2026–27, has urged the government to mobilise resources through a calibrated approach to privatisation, focusing on sectors where private participation can enhance efficiency, technology infusion, and global competitiveness,” CII said.

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, expectations are mounting on how the government will navigate robust domestic growth amid an increasingly uncertain global environment. According to experts, a key challenge for Budget 2026 will be managing currency volatility amid tariff risks.  

Economists said the next challenge lies in ensuring growth translates into job creation, higher wages, and improved rural demand while also protecting the economy from external shocks.

As preparations gather pace for the Union Budget 2026–27, education and skilling experts are calling for a decisive shift from policy intent to on-ground execution, with greater emphasis on quality, global credibility, and measurable student outcomes. 

On the need of building a globally competitive education, Omar Chihane, Global General Manager, TOEFL, ETS, said, “As India looks ahead to the Union Budget 2026–27, the focus must shift from intent to execution in building a globally competitive education and skills ecosystem.”  

As India gears up for the Union Budget 2026, PwC said industry stakeholders are looking for continuity in customs duty reforms, with a stronger push on faster trade facilitation, fewer disputes, and better support for domestic manufacturing. 

Gautam Khattar, Principal, Price Waterhouse & Co LLP, said while India has successfully implemented amnesty-style programmes for dispute resolution in other tax areas, the customs regime continues to face a substantial backlog of disputes and has never seen a comparable dispute mitigation scheme.

As the Union Budget for 2026–27 draws closer, the Centre is expected to remain committed to fiscal consolidation while continuing to support economic growth amid global uncertainty, according to a report by Standard Chartered Global Research. 

The report projects that the government will adhere to its fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP in FY26 and further reduce it to around 4.2% in FY27. However, it notes that the pace of consolidation is likely to moderate compared with the sharp correction between FY23 and FY26, during which the deficit was narrowed by more than two percentage points of GDP. 

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026, Crisil Chief Economist Dharmakirti Joshi said the government should focus on supporting private investment while maintaining macroeconomic stability. 

Joshi said the Budget is being prepared in a relatively stable and comfortable economic environment. “The growth and inflation mix has turned out to be much better than expected,” he said, adding that global growth has also held up despite high volatility, rising tariffs, and policy uncertainty across major economies. 

India’s customs duties and indirect tax system play a big role in how goods move across borders and how competitive Indian businesses are in global markets. Over the last few years, the government has made several changes to simplify the way imports and exports are taxed, reduce delays at ports, and support major initiatives like Make in India. But challenges remain. Ahead of Budget 2026, PwC has shared recommendations that aim to make the system even more predictable, efficient, and business-friendly.

India’s phase of high tax revenue growth appears to be over, with softer hiring, slower income growth, and muted corporate profitability weighing on government finances, according to a pre-budget analysis by Ambit Capital. 

“High tax growth period is behind us,” the report said, noting that gross tax revenue growth in FY26 has dropped sharply. It pointed out that “revenue momentum weakened sharply in FY26, with gross tax growth at 4% YoY in 8MFY26—the weakest since FY21.” 

India’s upcoming Union Budget for FY27 is expected to focus on steady fiscal consolidation amid a mixed economic environment, according to a budget preview report by Emkay Research.

The report notes that the Budget comes at a time when private investment remains weak and global uncertainty is rising. “A mixed macro picture, missing vigor in private capex, global noises, and volatility in risk assets form the backdrop of the FY27 Budget,” it said.

Even as the government prepares to roll out the New Income Tax Act from April 1, 2026, industry leaders say further reforms are needed to make India’s tax regime simpler, clearer and less prone to litigation. 

According to KPMG in India’s pre-Budget Survey 2026, businesses have urged the government to prioritise reforms in key problem areas, including TDS, TCS, capital gains taxation, and the assessment and litigation framework. 

The domestic real estate sector has called for structural changes in the upcoming budget, ranging from affordable financing, enhancing the exemption limit on housing loans and altering the definition of affordable housing.

“Persistent structural challenges in affordability, finance access, taxation, and regulatory framework continue to impact the real estate sector,” said Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI). 

Budgetary allocation towards capital expenditure has slowed over the last few years. Data shows that year-on-year growth in capex allocation fell from 36% in FY23 and 33% in FY24 to 11% in FY25, before dropping sharply to just 0.9% in FY26.

In absolute terms, however, government spending on capital assets has steadily increased. Capex allocation has risen from ₹4.12 lakh crore in 2020-21 to ₹11.21 lakh crore in 2025-26, underlining the government’s continued focus on long-term asset creation despite tighter fiscal conditions. Experts have called for public infrastructure momentum to continue. 

Indian Railways is once again under the spotlight ahead of the budget, as policymakers and industry stakeholders look for cues on capital support, safety priorities and reform momentum for the national transporter. Over the past few years, railway allocations have remained on an upward trajectory, reflecting the government’s focus on infrastructure-led growth.

With GST cuts and income tax cuts, the government has already done much to provide a fillip to consumption. The question really is what the options at hand are when it comes to consumption, now that major moves have already been taken in the current financial year. Will the exemption limit in the concessional tax regime further relaxed from the current nil tax on annual income of ₹12 lakh? Sources suggest some measures are being considered and the standard deduction is also likely to be enhanced from the current ₹75,000 in the new structure.

As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, expectations are building around direct tax relief for the salaried class and targeted rationalisation of import and customs duties, with experts saying the government is likely to strike a balance between fiscal consolidation and growth support. Tax and policy specialists said the Budget could deliver meaningful relief to individuals, particularly salaried taxpayers while using calibrated tariff changes to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address long-standing duty distortions.

On the indirect tax front, Krishan Arora, Partner – Indirect Tax at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the government is expected to maintain a measured approach to customs duties, with a sharper focus on sectors affected by inverted duty structures, such as textiles.

According to analysts, markets are likely to remain cautious in the near term, with volatility persisting as investors balance pre-Budget positioning against global headwinds.

“Investors traded cautiously ahead of the Union Budget 2026 scheduled for February 1, with markets set to remain open on Sunday. As per our expectations following the Economic Survey, the upcoming Budget is likely to be realistic yet ambitious in its outlook, with a clear focus on “Swadeshi,” which appears both inevitable and necessary in the current global landscape,” said Siddhartha Khemka - Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments, said that with geopolitical risks and global tariff pressures on the rise, the Union Budget is keenly awaited for cues on growth support and fiscal discipline. He added that while a deal to avert the latest U.S. government shutdown has provided temporary relief, global markets remain cautious ahead of the appointment of a new Federal Reserve Chair, as a more hawkish stance could tighten liquidity conditions and weigh on emerging markets.

Historically, Budget Day has delivered largely positive outcomes for the markets. Over the past decade, the BSE Sensex has ended higher on seven occasions and lower three times. The benchmark logged its sharpest gain of 5% on Budget Day in 2021, while it recorded its steepest fall of 2.4% on the eve of the 2020 Budget.

On February 1, 2025, Indian equity benchmarks ended on a muted note, after a highly volatile special trading session. The BSE Sensex ended marginally up by 5.39 points, or 0.01%, to settle at 77,505.96, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 26.25 points, or 0.11%, to close at 23,482.15.

Investor sentiment remained cautious as the government’s planned capital expenditure of ₹11.2 lakh crore was perceived as modest and below market expectations. However, FMCG and auto stocks outperformed after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced zero income tax on annual income up to ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh including standard deduction) under the new tax regime, boosting consumption-linked sectors.

Auto stocks: Shares of automobile companies will be in focus today as most players are set to announce their monthly sales numbers, which could provide fresh cues on demand trends and pricing momentum across segments.

Railway stocks: State-owned railway-linked stocks such as Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), IRCTC and RailTel are expected to remain in the spotlight, along with select wagon makers and EPC players including Jindal Rail Infrastructure, Texmaco Rail & Engineering, Titagarh Rail Systems and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The focus comes amid expectations of continued government support for railway infrastructure expansion and operational efficiency.

Defence stocks: Defence-related shares are likely to see heightened action as market participants anticipate a push for higher capital expenditure in the sector. Stocks such as Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics, Cochin Shipyard, Paras Defence, Garden Reach Shipbuilders, Zen Technologies, Data Patterns and others will be closely tracked ahead of the Budget announcements.

All eyes are on Parliament as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026 at 11:00 am today, marking her ninth consecutive Budget and a first in India’s parliamentary history with the exercise being tabled on a Sunday.

The Budget comes on the heels of an upbeat Economic Survey 2026, which pegged India’s GDP growth at a robust 7.4% in FY26 and projected a healthy 6.8-7.2% expansion in FY27. With inflation expected to remain benign at around 3.5%, nominal GDP growth could approach the 10% mark, creating a supportive backdrop for corporate earnings in the coming fiscal year.

Markets are entering Budget Day amid heightened expectations of fiscal prudence alongside growth-supportive measures. If the government manages to strike the right balance, equities could remain resilient, especially as a sustained correction in gold and silver prices may prompt investors to rotate out of precious metals and back into risk assets.

Stay with us as we bring you live updates, key announcements, market reactions and expert views as Budget 2026 unfolds.