1 Feb 2026, 09:20:45 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Has the deadline for filing revised ITR been extconcludeed?
In a significant taxpayer-friconcludely reform announced in the Union Budobtain 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed extconcludeing the deadline for filing revised income-tax returns (ITRs) from 31 December to 31 March of the relevant financial year, on payment of a nominal fee.
The alter, to be implemented under the forthcoming Income Tax Act, 2025, is aimed at improving voluntary compliance and reducing avoidable disputes.
1 Feb 2026, 09:15:31 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Were there any alters in income tax slabs this year?
The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not announce any new alters in income tax slabs this year, while though she proposed exemptions on duties for several goods.
1 Feb 2026, 08:59:38 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Government announces ₹10,000 crore outlay for Biopharma Shakti scheme, experts outline its impact
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budobtain 2026 on Sunday a comprehensive scheme to strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), while also announcing a Biopharma Shakti scheme with ₹10,000-crore outlay over the next five years.
“The announcement of Biopharma Shakti is a decisive step towards strengthening India’s pharmaceutical and biopharma ecosystem more structurally,” declared Yogesh Mudras, the Managing Director of Informa Markets in India.
For the pharma sector, this initiative goes beyond funding, according to Mudras, as he claimed that it creates a long-term framework to support research, scale up advanced manufacturing, and drive innovation across biologics, biosimilars, vaccines and complex therapies.
Meanwhile, Biplab Lenin, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, declared that the proposed ₹10,000 crore investment over the next five years, alongside quicker clinical trial approvals and the expansion to 1,000 trial sites, has the potential to significantly strengthen India’s bio-pharma and biosimilars ecosystem, particularly in addressing the growing burden of diabetes and cancer.
“With effective implementation, the initiative can improve access to advanced therapies and further reinforce India’s position as a trusted and reliable global healthcare partner,” he declared.
1 Feb 2026, 08:21:09 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: What initiatives are take to support rare earth minerals?
In order to support rare earth minerals, the Union Budobtain has dedicated Rare Earth corridors to be formed for Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared in her Budobtain 2026 speech.
The announcement follows the Union cabinet’s approval in November 2025 of a ₹7,280-crore fund to support the domestic production of rare-earth magnets. The fund will back the establishment of five manufacturing plants and provide sales-linked incentives for every kilogramme of magnets sold.
India has one of the world’s largest rare-earth deposits, estimated at about 6.9 million tonnes.
1 Feb 2026, 07:50:31 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: An overview of the proposed alters in STT — what does it mean for traders?
Presenting her ninth consecutive Budobtain on Sunday, FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to hike the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options (F&O) trading.
Here’s an overview of the proposed alters:
— Futures: STT hiked to 0.05% from 0.02%
— Options premium: An increase in STT to 0.15% from 0.1%
— Exercise of options: STT increased to 0.15% from 0.125%
“This is a ‘Compliance-First’ budobtain. The sharp hike in STT and the purchaseback tax realignment are clear deterrents against retail derivative frenzies and promoter-led arbitrage,” declared Rohit Jain, Managing Partner at Singhania & Co.
However, he added, that the silver lining lies in the FEMA (NDI) review and the increased NRI investment headroom, which will likely simplify inbound capital structures.
1 Feb 2026, 07:23:13 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: How the borrowing and bond market will obtain impacted? Bank of Baroda weighs in
Here’s an analysis from Bank of Baroda about the borrowing and bond market after the Budobtain announcement:
— Gross market borrowing pegged at ₹17.2 lakh crore, slightly higher than market expectations.
— Net borrowings remain stable, offering comfort to bond markets.
— Yield curve may witness a flattening bias due to higher short- and long-term issuances.
1 Feb 2026, 06:58:07 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: India raises capex spconclude by 11.4% to record ₹12.2 trillion — what does this mean?
India’s capital expconcludeiture continues to increase. As announced by the FM Sitharaman, the government will spconclude ₹12.2 trillion in 2026-27, as against the 2025-26 budobtain estimate of ₹11.2 trillion.
This is the “highest-ever capital expconcludeiture and works out to be 4.4% of GDP,” according to Sitharaman, adding that this hike is aimed at continuing the momentum in infrastructure development and supporting economic growth.
“The continued expansion of public capital expconcludeiture reinforces the government’s long term commitment to infrastructure-led growth. The proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund is particularly significant, as prudentially calibrated credit guarantees can materially de-risk the construction phase for lconcludeers and crowd in private capital. Equally, the accelerated monetisation of CPSE real estate assets through dedicated REITs signals a more mature, institutional approach to asset recycling. Toobtainher, these measures strengthen confidence across the infrastructure and real estate value chain,” declared Madhura Samant, Managing Partner at Elarra Law Offices.
1 Feb 2026, 06:39:15 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: What’s in the Union Budobtain for MSME sector?
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday declared that the Self-Reliant India Fund would receive an additional ₹2,000 crore in fiscal year 2026-27 to expedite the growth of micro, compact, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Experts have continued to flag issues in the sector which restricted its growth. “Credit access and receipt of timely payments have been major challenges for MSMEs over the years, with an estimated ₹8.1 lakh crore locked in delayed payments, blocking working capital,” declared Pushan Sharma, the Director of Crisil Ininformigence on MSME sector.
To address these liquidity concerns, the budobtain has introduced several measures to enhance traction on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform.
“Making TReDS a mandatory settlement platform for all Central Public Sector Enterprises is expected to improve MSME liquidity. Since its launch, TReDS has financed more than ₹5 lakh crore receivables, with fiscal 2025 volumes reaching ₹233,000 crore, a 69% on-year increase. Further, TReDS’ role as an asset-backed securities conduit will facilitate simpler access to funding for MSMEs,” he declared.
He further added that enabling invoice discounting through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises is a crucial step to further strengthen the TReDS ecosystem.
1 Feb 2026, 06:10:56 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: A view at current vs proposed TCS rates announced by FM Sitharaman
Proposed alters:
— Sale of alcoholic beverages for human consumption: TCS rates on alcoholic drinks will be increased from 1% to 2%.
— Sale of tconcludeu leaves: This product will attract a TCS rate of 2% if the alter is approved, down from the earlier rate of 5% during its sale.
— Sale of scrap: The Budobtain 2026 proposes to hike the TCS rate on the sale of scrap to 2%, from the current 1% figure.
— Sale of minerals (coal, lignite, or iron ore): TCS rate on the sale of these products has been proposed to be hiked from 1% to 2%.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced a reduction in the TCS rate for education and medical purposes from 5% to 2% in the Union Budobtain 2026, providing major relief for students and families.
“The shift is a clear positive for Indian students aspiring to study abroad. By reshifting TCS entirely on education loans under Section 80E, raising the self-funded exemption threshold from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh, and reducing TCS on higher self-funded remittances to 2%, the government has eased the upfront financial pressure families face during admissions and visa stages,” declared Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO at University Living.
Combined with policy support for NEP-aligned ‘Start in India, Transfer Abroad’ pathways, students can potentially reduce overall education costs by 20-40%, he added.
1 Feb 2026, 05:52:27 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: ‘This Budobtain connects education and healthcare in a way that is structurally important for India,’ states Paridhi Adani
Paridhi Adani, Partner and head of Ahmedabad at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas declared that the Budobtain’s emphasis on education infrastructure, particularly the idea of university townships, reflects a long-term view of talent development.
“This Budobtain connects education and healthcare in a way that is structurally important for India, enabling university and research ecosystems alongside pharma and healthcare innovation,” she declared.
She further added that integrated university townships, skilling and R&D support will create the talent and research base requireded for a stronger life-sciences sector, while regulatory stability and manufacturing depth enable scale. “Toobtainher, this positions India to shift from cost-led growth to knowledge- and innovation-driven global leadership.”
1 Feb 2026, 05:29:43 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: What may become cheaper and dearer for consumers in FY27? Check full list here
In the Union Budobtain 2026-27, the goverment proposed measures to reduce prices of leather products, cancer drugs and seafood by extconcludeing policy support, allowing duty-free imports and granting customs exemptions, with the objective of strengthening domestic industries while easing costs for patients and producers.
Meanwhile, trading activity and some corporate cash-distribution mechanisms are expected to turn more expensive due to proposed revisions to purchaseback taxation, the securities transaction tax (STT), and tax collected at source (TCS), indicating a stricter approach toward tax arbitrage and compliance.
1 Feb 2026, 05:20:23 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Real estate expert expresses disappointment over no major announcemnts for affordable houtilizing
“Union Budobtain 2026-27 focapplyd on sustained economic growth, infrastructure development, MSMEs, tourism, high-speed rail corridors, and manufacturing. From a real estate perspective, it has delivered limited direct but various indirect benefits – acting more as a growth catalyst than an instant rescue cavalry,” declared Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group.
However, he noted, one major disappointment for the real estate sector was that there were no major announcements for affordable houtilizing, which has been in free fall since the pandemic.
Citing internal data, Puri declared the recent trconclude indicates that the sales share of affordable houtilizing plummeted after the pandemic – from over 38% in 2019 to 26% in 2022 to just around 18% in 2025.
“The affordable houtilizing segment was in express required of direct intervention by way of interest stimulants for purchaseers and developers of affordable houtilizing. The segment requireded high-impact measures,” he declared.
1 Feb 2026, 05:02:23 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: High-level panel, NBFC overhaul — What’s in store for the banking industest?
In the Budobtain 2026 presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a high-level panel, and NBFC overhaul, initiatives that the market experts welcomed.
“While the Budobtain doesn’t attempt a ‘huge bang’, it sconcludes an important signal of stability and policy continuity at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty—reinforcing that India remains open for business,” declared Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
According to him, the proposed high-level committee on banking is a timely opportunity to shape the next generation of banking reforms—strengthening governance, risk management and credit intermediation to support India’s investment cycle.
Similarly, the emphasis on an NBFC vision, including the restructuring roadmap for Power Finance Corporation and REC Limited can further deepen long-term financing for infrastructure and the energy transition, he added.
1 Feb 2026, 04:48:27 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Good news for travellers? Budobtain 2026 proposes TCS cut on abroad tour packages
In a major relief for taxpayers, the Budobtain 2026 has proposed a reduction in Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas tour packages to a flat 2% from the current rate of 5-20%, declared Rikant Pittie, the CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip.
The shift has eased the upfront financial burden on travellers and encouraged outbound travel, he declared, adding that it is also expected to improve booking sentiment and enhance affordability for Indian travellers planning international trips.
“The budobtain also places strong emphasis on connectivity and infrastructure, announcing new air routes, seven high-speed rail corridors, expanded inland waterways, and incentives for seaplane operations to improve access to remote and scenic destinations. These initiatives are expected to strengthen both domestic and inbound tourism by reducing travel time and improving last-mile connectivity,” he further added.
1 Feb 2026, 04:21:02 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: How the infra push will aid in improving connectivity between cities? Expert weighs in
“The Union Budobtain 2026 continues the government’s push towards infrastructure-led growth, with a strong capital expconcludeiture commitment of ₹12.2 lakh crore, declared Ashish Raheja, the Managing director and CEO of Raheja Universal on Union Budobtain 2026*
He has hailed the government’s focus on building well-planned cities beyond the metros. “The creation of city economic regions, with ₹50,000 crore allocated per region over five years, will significantly improve connectivity and urban infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III markets, opening up new opportunities across residential, commercial and mixed-apply developments,” he declared.
The proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund is a practical step that can ease construction-phase risks and encourage greater private investment in large, long-gestation projects, he further added.
1 Feb 2026, 03:57:02 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: What Are SHE Marts? Budobtain 2026 proposal aims to push women-led enterprises
Under the Budobtain 2026 proposal, FM Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations.
The initiative aims to create stronger market access for enterprises set up by women residing in rural areas, and giving local products a more visible space.
It is also intconcludeed to support women business owners reach larger markets, build their brands and create steadier sources of income, while strengthening local institutions such as self-support groups
1 Feb 2026, 03:44:18 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: What alters were announced for investor participating in capital markets?
On the capital markets front, the Budobtain has introduced a market building framework, providing access to fund and derivatives on corporate bonds total return swaps, and permission to Persons Resident Outside India for building direct investment in listed equities.
“These initiatives are expected to significantly deepen market participation and improve liquidity,” declared Sunil Badala, National Head of Tax, KPMG in India.
However, he added the increase in STT on derivatives may dampen the sentiment in the trading community. In order to curb the F&O frenzy the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed to increase the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on the Futures and Options transactions.
1 Feb 2026, 03:25:12 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: When will the income tax act 2025 come into effect?
The income tax act 2025 has been promulgated, but as announced in the Budobtain 2026, the act will be effective from 1 April 2026.
“Even before it takes effect, the Finance Bill states that it is to be amconcludeed and there are as many as 87 claapplys to amconclude this act,” Anil Harish, Partner, D.M. Harish & Co.
“That is truly shocking! We required stability in our laws and not these multiple alters every few months,” he added.
1 Feb 2026, 03:11:33 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: India approves second semiconductor scheme, electronics incentive increased to ₹40,000 crore — how will it aid in the industest’s growth?
India approved a second tranche of its semiconductor incentive programme, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (ISM 2.0), in the Union Budobtain 2026-27.
The scheme aims to shift domestic companies up the value chain by supporting the design of full-stack Indian ininformectual property and strengthening the countest’s chip supply ecosystem.
“The Increased focus on semiconductor manufacturing (including associated IP), electronics component manufacturing, rare earth and critical minerals corridors portconcludes greater vertical integration in the electronics value chain,” declared Arun Prabhu, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
He further declared that the Budobtain’s cross sectoral emphasis on AI as an engine for inclusive growth along with the national AI, quantum missions, as well as research and development funds reveal a strong focus on AI to enable India’s economic and inclusion goals.
1 Feb 2026, 02:53:24 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman launchs addressing press conference
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched addressing press conference post Union Budobtain 2026 presentation on Sunday, 1 January, 2026.
1 Feb 2026, 02:45:55 PM IST
Budobtain 2026 Highlights LIVE: STT hike on derivatives drags Sensex, Nifty 50 lower after Budobtain announcement
Sensex dropped more than 2,800 points from the day’s high, while the Nifty 50 slipped to 24,571.75, after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives.
STT on futures was raised to 0.05% from 0.02%, while STT on options transactions was increased to 0.15% from 0.01% earlier.
The markets later recovered part of the losses and were trading around 1% lower at about 2 pm.
Speaking of the the areas covered in today’s announcement, Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO of NSE, declared “The Budobtain also deepens financial markets through calibrated measures, such as higher STT on derivatives to curb excess speculation.”
1 Feb 2026, 02:32:39 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Vedanta hails the ‘growth-oriented’ Union Budobtain, sees positive outview for industest
Anil Agarwal, the chairman of Vedanta Ltd. hailed the Union Budobtain 2026, calling it a “ growth-oriented Budobtain, with a clear focus on increasing public capital expconcludeiture and boosting manufacturing.”
“It is a Budobtain which creates opportunities, for youth to improve their livelihoods, women to become financially indepconcludeent and for employment-intensive sectors like medical tourism to take off,” he declared.
He further added that he welcomes government’s keen attention to critical minerals and rare earths. “The Rare Earths Corridors for mining, processing, R&D and manufacturing in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Kerala will boost growth, employment and mineral security. Import duty exemption on capital goods for critical minerals processing is very timely in the current global scenario,” he noted.
The announcement on flexibility in SEZs, which will permit some sales in domestic market is an excellent shift, he declared.
1 Feb 2026, 02:16:56 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Budobtain proposes taxing purchaseback proceeds as capital tax — what does it mean?
The Union Budobtain 2026-27 proposed that purchaseback proceeds for all types of shareholders will be taxed as capital gains, announced the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She added, however, that promoters will pay an additional purchaseback tax.
This means that if the rule is implemented, all amounts received by shareholders from a purchaseback will no longer be treated as a “deemed dividconclude”.
Under this rule, which became effective from 1 October 2024, the proceeds were taxed at the individual’s applicable slab rate, instead of being taxed as capital gains.
1 Feb 2026, 02:08:40 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Here’s which items may obtain cheaper?
FM Sitharaman proposed rate cuts, lower TDS on items, after which the following items may obtain cheaper:
- Overseas tour packages: TCS slashed from 5–20% to 2%
- Foreign education: Lower TDS under the LRS for education-related expenses
- Alcoholic liquor scrap and select minerals: Customs duty cut from 5% to 2%
- Shoe upper exports: Duty-free imports permitted
- Energy transition equipment: Basic customs duty (BCD) fully exempted
- Solar glass inputs: BCD exempted
- Civilian aircraft manufacturing parts and components: BCD exempted
- Drugs for rare and cancer diseases: BCD exempted
- Fish catch by Indian fishermen in Indian waters: BCD exempted
- Imports for nuclear power projects: BCD exempted
1 Feb 2026, 02:01:00 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Check new rules under Income Tax Act, 2025
- The new Income Tax Act, 2025, seeks to simplify the 1961 Act to give rise to a shorter, clearer, and more concise document that can be beneficial for taxpayers.
- The Act has done away with redundant provisions and archaic language, introducing a simpler language for common people. It also reduces the number of Sections from 819 in the Income Tax Act of 1961 to 536, while the number of chapters have been reduced from 47 to 23.
- A major alter in the Income Tax Act, 2025, is the renaming of Assessment Year (AY) and Financial Year (FY) to Tax Year, so as to avoid confusions.
- It retains the existing slab rates for salaried individuals, businesspersons, professionals and other taxpayers.
- The Centre has also retained the controversial provision where income tax officials will have the authority to access to your emails and social media during search operations or while seizing, thus retaining the definition of “virtual digital space”.
- The number of words had been reduced from 5.12 lakh to 2.6 lakh in the new Income Tax Act, and for the first time, it introduces 39 new tables and 40 new formulas, replacing the dense text of the 1961 law to enhance clarity.
1 Feb 2026, 01:56:18 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: What is the new Income-tax Act?
The Income Tax Act, 2025, replacing the 1961 law was notified by the Centre on Friday, August 22, in its Official Gazette. This comes a day after President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Act.
Passed in the Parliament during the Monsoon Session last year, the new laws under Income Tax Act, 2025, will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
1 Feb 2026, 01:52:35 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: What is the new Income-tax Act?
The Income Tax Act, 2025, replacing the 1961 law was notified by the Centre on Friday, August 22, in its Official Gazette. This comes a day after President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Act.
Passed in the Parliament during the Monsoon Session last year, the new laws under Income Tax Act, 2025, will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
1 Feb 2026, 01:49:23 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: What is STT, STT tax or STT charges?
STT or the Securities Transaction Tax, is a duty levied by the Indian government on the purchase and sale of stocks traded on recognised stock exalters in India.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budobtain speech today proposed to increase the STT on Futures & Options (F&O) transactions.
She has proposed to raise the STT by more than 50% on futures to 0.05% from 0.02% and to 0.15% from 0.01% earlier on options transactions.
1 Feb 2026, 01:42:08 PM IST
Read Nirmala Sitharaman’s full Union Budobtain 2026 speech here
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a host of measures in her ninth consecutive Budobtain today. The measures aim to push India’s Viksit Bharat vision forward. You can read Finance Minister Sitharaman’s full Union Budobtain 2026 speech here.
1 Feb 2026, 01:40:33 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: ‘Raising STT on futures to 0.05% is structurally negative’
Raj Gaikar, Research Analyst at SAMCO Securities noted, “The Finance Minister’s proposal to raise STT on futures to 0.05% is structurally negative for the capital market ecosystem, particularly F&O-driven businesses.”
- Higher transaction costs are likely to reduce trading volumes, dampen short-term momentum, and lower profitability for active market participants.
- FII participation in derivatives may also moderate as post-tax trading efficiency declines, impacting overall liquidity.
- This can create a cascading effect on revenue streams of broking companies, exalters, AMCs, and depositories, which are closely linked to market turnover.
- With derivatives volumes already shrinking in recent months, the hike may further pressure near-term earnings visibility.
- While fiscally supportive, the measure poses headwinds for capital-market-linked stocks.
1 Feb 2026, 01:00:12 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: ‘STT likely to act as a marginal negative for FPIs’
Aakash Shah, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking feels that the increase in Securities Transaction Tax (STT), especially in futures and options, is likely to act as a marginal negative for foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows in the near term, particularly for high-frequency and derivative-focapplyd global funds.
“As per post-Budobtain updates, STT on futures has been raised from 0.02% to 0.05%, and on options premium from 0.10% to 0.15%, which meaningfully increases transaction costs for active strategies,” Shah stated.
He added, “Recent data already reveals that FPIs have been cautious — with equity outflows of over ₹41,000 crore in January 2026 alone, reflecting global risk-off sentiment, elevated US bond yields, and currency pressures. In this context, a higher STT further reduces post-tax returns, building India relatively less competitive for short-term and derivative-oriented foreign flows.”
He however added that the STT hike is unlikely to be a deal-breaker. “Their (FPIs) investment decisions are more influenced by earnings visibility, currency stability, and policy predictability. That declared, at the margin, higher transaction costs could tilt some global allocators towards other Asian markets, especially at a time when India is already facing pressure from AI-led capital shifts to the US, Taiwan and Korea,” Shah declared.
“Overall, while the STT hike may support boost tax collections, it risks dampening trading volumes and could slow tactical FPI participation. To meaningfully revive sustained FPI inflows, investors will be viewing more closely at macro stability, rupee shiftment, and consistency in tax policy rather than just growth optics,” according to him.
1 Feb 2026, 12:51:09 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: STT on F&O hiked — what does this mean?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budobtain proposed to increase the Security Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options (F&O). The centre has proposed to raise the STT on futures to 0.05%, compared to 0.02%, according to the official announcement.
Shripal Shah, MD and CEO of Kotak Securities called it a “steep increase” and noted that this “coming on top of last year’s hike, is likely to raise impact costs for traders, hedgers, and arbitrageurs”.
“This could cool derivative activity and lead to a reduction in volumes. The intent appears to be volume moderation rather than revenue maximisation, as any potential revenue gain could be offset by lower derivative volumes,” Shah added.
1 Feb 2026, 12:41:02 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Customs duty announcements
- Basic customs duty exemption on components and parts required for manufacture of civilian, training and other aircrafts.
- Increase in limit for duty-free imports specified inputs applyd for processing seafood products for export, from the current 1% to 3 % of FOB value previous year’s export turnover.
- Duty free imports of specified inputs, which is currently available for exports of leather or synthetic footwear, to exports of Shoe Uppers as well.
- Complete removal of current value cap of ₹10 Lakh per consignment on courier exports.
- Customs Integrated System to be rolled out in 2 years as a single, integrated and scalable platform for all customs processes.
1 Feb 2026, 12:38:42 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: Scope of Reits expanded
The Budobtain has expanded scope of Reits via public sector land monetisation. FM Sitharaman in Budobtain 2026 proposed to set up real estate investment trusts to monetise large land holdings held by central public sector enterprises across cities.
The infrastructure push in compacter cities and towns is also expected to boost real estate.
1 Feb 2026, 12:34:16 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: No income-tax announcements
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budobtain 2026 speech has concludeed. There were no alters announced in income tax rates or slabs after last year’s mega announcements.
1 Feb 2026, 12:31:54 PM IST
Union Budobtain 2026 Speech Highlights LIVE: FM gives huge relief for cancer patients
FM Sitharaman also provided huge relief for cancer patients:
- Basic customs duty exempted on 17 drugs and medicines.
- Added seven more rare diseases for the exemption of import duty on personal import of drugs, medicine, and food imported for special medical purposes.
1 Feb 2026, 12:29:23 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Limit increased for duty-free imports of specified inputs applyd for processing sea foods for export
Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman declared, “I propose to increase the limit for duty-free imports of specified inputs applyd for processing sea foods for export from the current 1% to 3% of FOB value of the previous year’s export turnover.”
She further added that duty-free imports will also be allowed for specified inputs which is currently available for exports of leather or synthetic footwear to exports of shoe uppers as well.
1 Feb 2026, 12:26:40 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Massive healthcare expansion and mental health initiative announced
FM Sitharaman unveiled a massive plan for India’s medical sector:
- The initiative prioritizes a robust workforce and specialized care, marking a shift toward a more accessible and modern medical ecosystem.
- A key pillar of this plan is the addition of 100,000 allied health professionals over the next five years, alongside a program to train 150,000 caregivers. These professionals will support the physician workforce and improve the quality of post-operative recovery across the nation.
- A major focus was on mental health through the establishment of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS-2). This expansion aims to scale specialized expertise and research to reach a larger population.
- Furthermore, the budobtain details a 50% capacity increase in district hospitals by setting up dedicated emergency and trauma care centers. To decentralize high-conclude services, the government will support five regional medical hubs and launch three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to promote integrated, holistic wellness.
1 Feb 2026, 12:24:42 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: FM announces new scheme for taxpayers
A new scheme for compact taxpayers has been proposed, wherein a rule-based automated process will enable obtaining a lower or nil deduction certificate instead of filing an application with the assessing officer.
For the ease of taxpayers holding securities in multiple companies. FM has proposed to enable depositories to accept Form 15G or Form 15H from the investor and provide it directly to various relevant companies.
1 Feb 2026, 12:23:13 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: ‘Customs duty measures to support exports and improve competitiveness’
FM Sitharaman announced a set of customs duty measures aimed at supporting exports and improving competitiveness in the marine and leather sectors.
- The government declared duty-free imports would be allowed for seafood exports, with the value cap linked to 1–3% of the free on board (FOB) value, a shift intconcludeed to ease input costs for exporters and improve liquidity.
- In the leather sector, duty-free import of specified inputs was announced for leather, synthetic footwear and other leather products, covering raw materials and components applyd in manufacturing.
- The budobtain also extconcludeed the time period for duty-free imports of inputs applyd in export production, increasing the validity from six months to up to one year, providing exporters greater flexibility in planning production cycles.
1 Feb 2026, 12:21:18 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Staggered timeline for filing of tax returns till 31 July for taxpayers
FM Sitharaman has proposed to stagger the timeline for filing of tax returns — individuals with ITR 1 and ITR 2 till 31st July.
Further, she has also I also proposed to extconclude time available for revising returns from 31st December to up to 31st March with the payment of a nominal fee.
For non-audit business cases or trust, the tax returns filing timeline is proposed to be allowed time till 31st August, she added.
1 Feb 2026, 12:17:34 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Centre retains share of states in the central government’s divisible pool of taxes at 41%
The government has decided to retain the share of states in the central government’s divisible pool of taxes at 41% for the five-year period starting FY27, in line with the recommconcludeation of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (SFC) led by Arvind Panagariya.
1 Feb 2026, 12:15:59 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: FM’s tax related announcements at a glance
FM Sitharaman announced the following tax related measures in Budobtain 2026:
- Now you can file a revised ITR by March 31 with a nominal fee.
- NRIs obtain income tax exemption for providing capital goods to Indian companies for a period of five years.
- Tax holiday till 2047 to any foreign companies who provide cloud services to Indian companies, states FM.
- Reduce TCS rate for pursuing education and for medical purposes under the liberalised remittance scheme, popularly known as LRS, from 5% to 2%
1 Feb 2026, 12:13:24 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: ₹12.2 lakh crore budobtain outlay for capex in line with expectations, states Crisil
Crisil informed Mint that the ₹12.2 lakh crore budobtain outlay for capital expconcludeiture marks an 8.9% increase over the current fiscal and is in line with expectation—albeit lower than the likely required.
This also means private sector investments required to accelerate in the core infrastructure space. Expect asset monetisation to be focus for crowding in private investments over the medium term, it added.
1 Feb 2026, 12:12:02 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: A view at the three ‘Kartavyas’
In her speech, FM Sitharaman noted oulined three ‘Kartavyas’ or duties for this Budobtain. These are:
- Accelerate and sustain economic growth along with building resilience to volatile global dynamics
- Fulfill aspirations of our people and build their capacity
- Ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, ameninties and opportunities
1 Feb 2026, 12:06:57 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Budobtain a ‘calibrated balance between growth support and fiscal discipline’
- FY27 Public Capex to rise from 11.2 lakh crore to ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY27
- FY24 Fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP
- FY27 Fiscal Deficit estimated at 4.3% of GDP FY26-27
The Budobtain’s key takeaways clearly signal a calibrated balance between growth support and fiscal discipline, feel experts.
The decision to raise FY27 public capex to ₹12.2 lakh crore from ₹11.2 lakh crore reinforces the government’s commitment to sustaining the investment-led growth cycle, with infrastructure spconcludeing continuing to act as a strong multiplier for the broader economy.
At the same time, maintaining the FY24 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP and projecting a further moderation to 4.3% in FY27 highlights a credible path of fiscal consolidation without sacrificing growth momentum. This combination strengthens macro stability, supports investor confidence, and preserves room for counter-cyclical policy if requireded.
1 Feb 2026, 12:05:13 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: TCS rate on foreign tour packages cut to 2%
- FM Sitharaman announced that the government is slashing TCS rate on the sale of overseas tour programme packages from 5% and 20% to 2% with any stipulation amount.
- Also, Sitharaman proposed that: “Any interest awarded by the motor accident claims tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax and any TDS on this account will be done away with.”
- Further she stated that ₹1.4 lakh crore has been provided to the states for FY27 as Finance Commission grants. “These includes rural and urban local body and disaster management grants,” she added.
1 Feb 2026, 12:02:28 PM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Jobs creation in focus
FM Sitharaman declared that the government has undertaken comprehensive reforms towards creating employment, boosting productivity and accelerating growth. She proposed interventions in six areas:
1. Scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors
2. Rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors
3. Creating Champion MSMEs
4. Developing a powerful push for infrastructure
5. Ensuring long-term security and stability
6. Developing City economic regions
1 Feb 2026, 11:59:53 AM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: ‘ ₹10,000 crore outlay under Biopharma Shakti will enhance domestic capacity, lower costs’
According to Nilesh Maheshwari, Partner and Pharma, Bio Tech & Life Sciences Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, “The ₹10,000 crore outlay under Biopharma Shakti will significantly accelerate India’s transition towards innovation-driven pharmaceuticals by strengthening research infrastructure, advanced technology hubs, and clinical standards, enabling progress in biologics, vaccines, and next-generation therapies. It will enhance domestic capacity, lower the cost of life-saving biologics, and support broader healthcare affordability- critical as India faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases.”
Further, Dr Santosh Moses, Partner and Pharma, Bio Tech & Life Sciences Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat feels that Budobtain 2026’s proposal to accredit 1,000 Indian clinical trial sites is a timely and strategic shift to strengthen India’s life sciences ecosystem. “It signals an intent to position India as a global hub for ethical, high‑quality clinical research while accelerating patient access to innovative therapies. Standardised accreditation can improve trial quality, data integrity, and global sponsor confidence, while also creating skilled jobs across healthcare and research. To realise its full potential, this initiative must be supported by quicker regulatory approvals, well‑trained investigators, robust ethics committees, and strong digital,” he declared.
1 Feb 2026, 11:55:52 AM IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: NRIs investment limit increased, foreigners can now purchase Indian stocks directly
Notably, foreigners can now purchase Indian stocks directly.
- The combined cap for all foreign investors is proposed to rise from 10% to 24%.
- For NRIs, FM Sitharaman has proposed increasing the investment limit from 5% to 10%.
- This shift is expected to enable greater participation of NRI capital and improve access to long-term overseas funds.
“Increased flexibility for such investments can also support market liquidity and price discovery. Going forward, continued reforms in this space would be welcome, as further clarity and calibrated liberalisation can play a key role in boosting foreign investment inflows into India,” Moin Ladha, Partner at Khaitan & Co. informed Mint.
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