Budget 2026 Live Updates: Custom Duty Exemption on Microwave Ovens, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

01 Feb, 26 : 12:27 PM

Custom Duty Exemption on Microwave Ovens, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced custom duty exemption on microwave ovens and exempted customs duty on imports of goods for nuclear. No duty on raw material for aircraft and civil aircraft, said FM.

01 Feb, 26 : 12:22 PM

Govt Exempts Customs Duty on 17 Cancer Treatment Drugs and Medicines

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced exemption from customs duties on 17 drugs and medicines used for cancer treatment.

01 Feb, 26 : 12:17 PM

Govt to Set Up NIMHANS II and Upgrade National Mental Health Institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Our commitment to mental health and trauma care. There are no national institutes for mental healthcare in North India. We will, therefore, set up NIMHANS II and also upgrade the National Mental Health Institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur as regional apex institutions."

01 Feb, 26 : 12:13 PM

Government to Launch ‘She March’ Retail Outlets to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "...Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi program, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihoods to becoming owners of enterprises. Self-Help Entrepreneur She March will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative financing instruments. Empowering Divyangjan. Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana. Information technology, AVGC sectors, hospitality, and food and beverage sectors often offer task-oriented and process-driven roles that are suitable for Divyangjan..."

01 Feb, 26 : 12:10 PM

Govt Plans to Replace Audit Fines With Fees, Extend Trust Deadline to August 31

The government has proposed converting fines into fees for failing to audit accounts and report financial transactions. The Finance Minister also said the deadline for unaudited trusts may be extended to 31 August.

01 Feb, 26 : 12:07 PM

FM Outlines Four-Point Duty Agenda for Farmers, Youth, Vulnerable Groups and Eastern States

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Our third kartavya aligns with our vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas towards Viksit Bharat. This requires targeted efforts for: one, increasing farmer incomes through productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship, with special attention to small and marginal farmers; B, empowering the young through access to livelihood opportunities, training, and high-quality assistive devices; C, empowering the vulnerable to access mental health and trauma care; and D, focusing on the Purvodaya states and the Northeast region to accelerate development and employment opportunities..."

01 Feb, 26 : 12:03 PM

4 Telescope Infrastructure Facilities Will Be Set Up To Promote Astrophysics and Astronomy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "To promote astrophysics and astronomy through immersive experiences, four telescope infrastructure facilities will be set up or upgraded: the National Large Solar Telescope, the National Large Optical Infrared Telescope, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the Cosmos II Planetarium..."

01 Feb, 26 : 12:00 PM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces New IT Act From April 2026

FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a new IT Act from April 2026 and said net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore in the Financial Year 2027.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:55 AM

Strengthening Corporate and Municipal Bond Markets To Attract More Investment, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, called for strengthening the corporate and municipal bond markets to attract more investment. She said the government plans to align foreign investment with India’s changing economic priorities by creating a market framework that supports access to corporate bond index-based funds and derivatives.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:53 AM

FM Unveils NRI Investment Schemes, Sets 2047 Services Target and Orders AI Impact Review

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced new portfolio investment schemes for NRIs. She said India aims to secure a 10 percent share of the global services market by 2047. A panel will also review the impact of AI on the service sector.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:51 AM

Govt Allocates Rs 5,000 Crore for Development of Temple Cities, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Budget 2026 speech that the government will focus on developing two to three major temple cities. She said a provision of Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for this initiative. The minister also said the government will build seven high-speed rail corridors as part of its infrastructure expansion plan.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:47 AM

Proposal To Set Up High-Powered Education to Employment and Enterprise, Says FM Sitharaman

"I propose to set up a High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee to recommend measures that focus on the Services Sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat. This will make us a global leader in services, with a 10% global share by 2047. The Committee will prioritise areas to optimise the potential for growth, employment and exports. They will also assess the impact of emerging technologies, including AI, on jobs and skill requirements and propose measures thereof," said FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:45 AM

Govt To Support to Manufacturing of Sea Planes in India, Says FM Sitharaman

Govt proposes support to manufacturing of sea planes in India. Ship-repair ecosystem to be developed in Varanasi, Patna, said Finance Minister Sitharaman.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:41 AM

Setting Up High Level Committee on ‘Banking for Viksit Bharat’ Proposed, Says FM Sitharaman

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is setting up high level committee on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat' proposed.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:38 AM

5 Regional Medical Hubs To Promote Medical Tourism, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has made five regional medical hubs to promote medical tourism.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:34 AM

Portfolio Investment Schemes for NRIs, Panel To Review AI Impact on Service Sector, Says FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced portfolio investment schemes for NRIs. She stated 10% global services share by 2047. Panel to Review AI impact on service sector.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:31 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Modular Courses To Train 'Corporate Mitras'

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman planned to facilitate the creation of modular courses to train 'Corporate Mitras'. Corporate Mitras to help MSMEs ensure regulatory compliance.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:30 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Purposes Interventions in Six Areas-Scaling Up Manufacturing in 7 Strategic Sectors

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government plans to accelerate and sustain economic growth through interventions in six key areas. These include expanding manufacturing in seven strategic sectors, revitalising traditional industries, strengthening MSMEs, boosting infrastructure, ensuring long-term stability and security, and developing city-based economic regions.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:22 AM

National Fiber Scheme Soon, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman National Fiber scheme is coming soon. She said, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and also focus on industry-led research and training centres to develop tech and skilled workforce.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:18 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Says Rs 10,000 Crore for Bio Pharma Shakti

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Rs 10,000 crore for bio-pharma Shakti. She also stated that Rs 40,000 crore is for Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

01 Feb, 26 : 11:12 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Says This Is Yuva Shakti Driven Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget 2026 in Lok Sabha said this is 'yuva shakti' driven budget. She also stated that, "This is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan." 

01 Feb, 26 : 10:22 AM

Akhilesh Yadav Says Union Budget Holds ‘No Expectations’, Claims It Benefits Only 5% of People

Samajwadi Party President and MP Akhilesh Yadav has dismissed the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that the opposition have "no expectations" from the Budget. Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Sunday, Yadav argued that the government's fiscal policies continue to cater to a small fraction of the population while failing the broader public.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget 2026-27, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says," What expectations can we have from the budget being presented by the govt from whom we don't have any expectations?... In the last few budgets we have seen, it was for only 5% of the people. The… pic.twitter.com/t1ndqSlz52

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026

"5% of the people," leaving the majority of the country's workforce and middle class behind. "What expectations can we have from the budget being presented by the government from whom we don't have any expectations?" he asked.

01 Feb, 26 : 10:06 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Along With Her Team Arrives at Parliament

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with their team, arrive at Parliament. She is wearing a purple colour with light golden brown checks and coffee brown border with thread work handwoven Kanjivaram silk Saree, honouring Tamil Nadu's age-old weaving legacy. 

Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with their team, arrive at Parliament ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27 pic.twitter.com/8UQiWKYEAy

— IANS (@ians_india) February 1, 2026

01 Feb, 26 : 09:39 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Calls on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget. Sitharaman is expected to use Part B of her speech to outline a broader, long-term vision for investors.

Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with their team, met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/Rmy7c0P9xm

— IANS (@ians_india) February 1, 2026

Traditionally focused on taxation, Part B may take on a more strategic role this year, moving beyond routine tax proposals to address both near-term priorities and long-term structural goals.

01 Feb, 26 : 09:32 AM

Jobless Growth Doesn't Help Anyone, Says Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Kerala Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday commented on the reports of the Economic Survey showing a good economic growth of the country. He said whether economic growth is going to be "accompanied" by jobs?. He said there are no jobs in the market and that don's not help anyone. 

#WATCH | Delhi: On #UnionBudget2026, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "We are all looking forward to hearing what the Finance Minister has to tell us. The Economic Survey projects good economic growth...Whether that growth is going to be accompanied by jobs? Jobless growth… pic.twitter.com/u44ZtgUj6K

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026

Tharoor said wait and watch what Narendra Modi government has on table to generate more jobs in the country for young people. He expecting something for Kerala in Budget 2026 as the Assembly elections in the state. "We in Kerala, with an election coming up, are looking to see what benefits the Central Govt might give us," he said.

01 Feb, 26 : 09:19 AM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Leaves Finance Ministry With ‘Bahi-Khata’ in Hand

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, with ‘bahi-khata’ in hand (Budget tablet) and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with her team, left the Ministry of Finance in Kartavya Bhawan for Rashtrapati Bhavan. She will present the Union Budget 2026 today at around 11 AM in the Lok Sabha.

Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves from the Finance Ministry in Kartavya Bhawan on the day of the Union Budget 2026-27 pic.twitter.com/mhV88oNRdK

— IANS (@ians_india) February 1, 2026

She was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Economic Adviser Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Ravi Agrawal and other senior officials of the finance ministry.

01 Feb, 26 : 09:09 AM

GST On Air Purifiers Should Be Lowered Amid Air Pollution, Says Jajpur's Maitri

A resident of Jajpuri said that the GST should be lowered on certain essential commodities such as household items to help middle-class and lower-income class people. She further suggested that to cut the prices of air purifiers, the GST on them should be brought down.

#WATCH | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present #UnionBudget2026 in Parliament today. In Odisha, women entrepreneurs share their Budget expectations.

Jajpur's Maitri says, "I expect that the essential commodities, a two-stove gas burner, for instance, are really… pic.twitter.com/uul1PuBT9l

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026

"Tax structure should be such that there is maximum reach to the tax-paying population. As a woman entrepreneur, I would want a little tax relief for women-led businesses and completely women-owned businesses so that more and more women enter businesses and create employment," said Maitri.

01 Feb, 26 : 08:54 AM

Nirmala Sitharaman Arrives at Kartavya Bhawan Ahead of Union Budget

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Pankan Chaudhari arrived at the Kartavya Bhawan on Sunday ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament. Sitharaman is set to present her record 9th consecutive budget today at 11 am.

Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaches the Finance Ministry at Kartavya Bhawan ahead of the Union Budget 2026. pic.twitter.com/aIlL2ljGwN

— IANS (@ians_india) February 1, 2026