Nirmala Sitharaman

February 1, 2026 2:39 PM

Union Budget 2026-27 focuses on scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic sectors

The Union Budget 2026-27 places strong emphasis on scaling up manufacturing across seven strategic and frontier sectors, as the government seeks to strengthen India’s industrial base, reduce import dependence and position the country as a global manufacturing hub. Presenting the Budget in Parliament on Sunday, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said the proposed manufacturing initiatives form part of the six focus areas under the “First Kartavya” outlined ...

February 1, 2026 2:28 PM

Union Budget 2026–27: A yuva shakti-driven blueprint for growth, inclusion and global integration

The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, lays out an ambitious yet fiscally disciplined roadmap for India’s next phase of development, anchored in youth empowerment, inclusive growth and economic resilience. The first Budget prepared in the newly inaugurated Kartavya Bhawan, it is inspired by three guiding principles - or Kartavya - that seek to accelerate growth, fulfil people’s aspirations and ensure equitable development under the vision of Sabka Saath, ...

February 1, 2026 2:12 PM

India’s real GDP projected to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26

India’s economy is projected to maintain strong growth momentum, with real GDP estimated to expand by 7.4 per cent in FY 2025-26, while nominal GDP growth is pegged at 8 per cent, according to the Macroeconomic Framework Statement tabled in Parliament along with the Union Budget for FY 2026–27. The document, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, projects nominal GDP growth of 10 per cent in FY 2026–27 over the first advance estimates of FY26, reflecting continued strengt...

February 1, 2026 12:56 PM

No change in income tax slabs in Union Budget 2026-27

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday kept income tax rates and slabs unchanged following last year’s major tax reforms. While the basic tax structure remains the same, the Finance Minister, presenting the Budget 2026-27, announced several measures aimed at simplifying tax compliance and providing relief to taxpayers. She proposed extending the timeline for revising income tax returns from December 31 to March 31 with a nominal fee. FM Sitharaman also suggested staggered deadlines f...

February 1, 2026 12:45 PM

Union Budget: Fiscal deficit target pegged at 4.3% for 2026-27

In her Union Budget speech on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pegged fiscal deficit at 4.3 per cent of the GDP for the year 2026-27, as against 4.4 per cent being targeted in 2025-26. The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government is termed as the fiscal deficit. It is an indication of the total borrowings that may be needed by the government. The government had intended to bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP by the financial year 2025-...

February 1, 2026 12:40 PM

Union Budget: FM Sitharaman proposes seven high-speed rail corridors, freight links, new waterways push

Asserting that the Union Budget 2026-27 is driven by "Yuvashakti" and based on "three kartavyas," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed seven high-speed rail corridors, new dedicated freight corridors, and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years as part of the Union Budget. The Union Budget has outlined a major push for environmentally sustainable passenger transport, proposing the development of seven high-speed rail corridors across key ...

February 1, 2026 12:31 PM

Union Budget: FM Sitharaman proposes 5 medical hubs, 3 new All India Institutes of Ayurveda

In a significant boost to the healthcare sector, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed the creation of five regional medical hubs to boost medical value tourism in the country. "To promote India as a medical tourism hub, I propose a scheme to support states to set up five regional hubs in the country," she said while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27. These medical hubs will have Ayush centres, infrastructure for diagnostics, and post-care rehabilitation. These will al...

February 1, 2026 12:19 PM

Union Budget 2026-27 hikes Govt capex to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in big push to infra

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore in the Budget for 2026-27, to boost big-ticket infrastructure projects for growth and jobs in the economy. Presenting the Budget, the Finance Minister said that an Infrastructure Risk Development Fund would be set up to accelerate the development of big projects. She said to push economic growth, the Budget proposes to deliver a powerful push to infrastructure, including highways, ports, railway...

February 1, 2026 12:15 PM

Union Budget: FM Sitharaman lists 3 ‘Kartavyas’ to accelerate economy, empower poor

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday shared three 'Kartavyas' (duties) to not only accelerate the economy but also empower the poor, underprivileged, and the disadvantaged. Sitharaman said that to deliver on the government's 'sankalp' (resolve) and given that this is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, "we are inspired by three Kartavyas". "The first Kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness and building resilience to...

February 1, 2026 8:55 AM

Nirmala Sitharaman set to present ninth consecutive Union Budget today

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2026–27 in Parliament today, marking a historic occasion as the Budget is being delivered on a Sunday for the first time in independent India’s history. This will be Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Budget, making her the first woman finance minister to achieve this milestone. It will also be the 15th Budget of the Narendra Modi-led government and the second full Budget since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ret...