Budget Highlights: No change in tax slabs, high-speed rail and rare earth corridors

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, announcing a Rs 12.2 lakh crore capex target and a fiscal deficit of 4.3%. Key highlights include no changes to income tax slabs, relief for accident compensation recipients, and reduced TCS on overseas tour packages. The new Income Tax Act, 2025, takes effect April 1.

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Starting April 1, 2026, India will see increased Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options trading. The Finance Minister announced higher rates for options premium, exercise, and futures, aiming to moderate speculative activity. This change, part of Budget 2026, will slightly raise trading costs for derivatives participants, while equity and mutual fund STT rates remain untouched.

STT hike after Budget 2026: What does it mean for F&O traders and investors

Starting April 1, 2026, India will see increased Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options trading. The Finance Minister announced higher rates for options premium, exercise, and futures, aiming to moderate speculative activity. This change, part of Budget 2026, will slightly raise trading costs for derivatives participants, while equity and mutual fund STT rates remain untouched.

No funds for Chabahar: Why Budget 2026 ignores Iran port

Union Budget 2026 maintains the existing income tax framework, with the new regime offering tax-free income up to Rs 12 lakh for individuals. While the old regime continues with its deductions, the new system has been progressively liberalized since 2020, making it increasingly attractive for middle-income taxpayers.

New or Old? Which I-T regime should you choose for FY 2026-27? Tax rates, slabs explained

Union Budget 2026 maintains the existing income tax framework, with the new regime offering tax-free income up to Rs 12 lakh for individuals. While the old regime continues with its deductions, the new system has been progressively liberalized since 2020, making it increasingly attractive for middle-income taxpayers.

Budget 2026 gives a boost to mental healthcare: North India to get its own NIMHANS

Budget 2026: From morning coffee to evening drink - what gets cheaper, what gets costlier

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, her ninth consecutive, with major announcements across defence, railways, income tax, and healthcare. Prime Minister Modi hailed it as "historic" and a "high flight toward Viksit Bharat." Key proposals include a significant defence allocation, seven high-speed rail corridors, a simplified Income Tax Act, and support for rare-earth mineral development.

Defence, education, railways, income tax & more: 10 big announcements in Union Budget 2026

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, her ninth consecutive, with major announcements across defence, railways, income tax, and healthcare. Prime Minister Modi hailed it as "historic" and a "high flight toward Viksit Bharat." Key proposals include a significant defence allocation, seven high-speed rail corridors, a simplified Income Tax Act, and support for rare-earth mineral development.

Union Budget 2026-27 unveils significant tech sector boosts, including a 20-year tax holiday for foreign cloud service providers operating from India. Key initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and increased outlay for Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme aim to fortify domestic capabilities and attract global investment.

What Budget 2026-27 means for Indian IT industry: 8 Biggest announcements

Union Budget 2026-27 unveils significant tech sector boosts, including a 20-year tax holiday for foreign cloud service providers operating from India. Key initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and increased outlay for Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme aim to fortify domestic capabilities and attract global investment.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, announced the creation of five university townships near major industrial and logistic corridors. These zones will house universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres, and residential complexes, aiming to integrate education, skills, and employment. The Budget also includes girls’ hostels in every district to improve access and participation in higher education.

Education Budget 2026: Sitharaman announces five university townships to boost learning, research and jobs

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, announced the creation of five university townships near major industrial and logistic corridors. These zones will house universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres, and residential complexes, aiming to integrate education, skills, and employment. The Budget also includes girls’ hostels in every district to improve access and participation in higher education.

Budget 2026: What is in it for women? SHE Marts to be set up

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2026. New rules simplify tax filing and reduce burdens. Key changes include extended deadlines for revised returns and staggered filing dates. Tax Collected at Source rates for education, medical purposes, and overseas tours are reduced. Small taxpayers get easier tax deductions. Awards from the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal are now tax-exempt.

Budget 2026 income tax: Top announcements made by FM Sitharaman - check list

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2026. New rules simplify tax filing and reduce burdens. Key changes include extended deadlines for revised returns and staggered filing dates. Tax Collected at Source rates for education, medical purposes, and overseas tours are reduced. Small taxpayers get easier tax deductions. Awards from the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal are now tax-exempt.

Budget 2026: What is the Section 87A rebate limit under new I-T regime?

The most consequential decision is also the quietest. The Centre has accepted the Commission’s recommendation to retain 41% vertical devolution to states. In an era where political economy is increasingly centralised in rhetoric if not always in law, this is a signal worth underlining. It anchors federal trust even as the Centre tightens its own fiscal belt. The Budget’s fiscal deficit for 2026–27 is pegged at 4.3% of GDP, with a clear glide path towards a 50±1% debt-to-GDP ratio by 2030. This is not austerity. It is choreography.

From arithmetic to architecture: What Budget 2026 really means

The most consequential decision is also the quietest. The Centre has accepted the Commission’s recommendation to retain 41% vertical devolution to states. In an era where political economy is increasingly centralised in rhetoric if not always in law, this is a signal worth underlining. It anchors federal trust even as the Centre tightens its own fiscal belt. The Budget’s fiscal deficit for 2026–27 is pegged at 4.3% of GDP, with a clear glide path towards a 50±1% debt-to-GDP ratio by 2030. This is not austerity. It is choreography.

The Union Budget 2026 significantly boosts defence spending to Rs 7.85 lakh crore, a substantial rise from last year. Modernisation efforts will receive Rs 2.19 lakh crore, with key allocations for aircraft and naval fleets. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced customs duty exemptions on aircraft components and raw materials, aiming to invigorate the defence aerospace industry.

Op Sindoor impact: Defence budget jumps to Rs 7.85 lakh cr, modernisation gets Rs 2.19 lakh cr

The Union Budget 2026 significantly boosts defence spending to Rs 7.85 lakh crore, a substantial rise from last year. Modernisation efforts will receive Rs 2.19 lakh crore, with key allocations for aircraft and naval fleets. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced customs duty exemptions on aircraft components and raw materials, aiming to invigorate the defence aerospace industry.

Union Budget 2026-27: What gets cheaper, what gets costlier

Union Budget 2026-27 prioritizes infrastructure growth and manufacturing, with a significant capital expenditure increase to ₹12.2 lakh crore. Fiscal deficit targets 4.3% of GDP. Key initiatives include a new Income Tax Act, the Biopharma Shakti scheme, and support for semiconductor and rare earth production, aiming to boost economic momentum and self-reliance.

Budget 2026: Rare earths & Orange Economy - key takeaways and what they mean

Union Budget 2026-27 prioritizes infrastructure growth and manufacturing, with a significant capital expenditure increase to ₹12.2 lakh crore. Fiscal deficit targets 4.3% of GDP. Key initiatives include a new Income Tax Act, the Biopharma Shakti scheme, and support for semiconductor and rare earth production, aiming to boost economic momentum and self-reliance.