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NEW DELHI: The Union Budget 2026 has set aside Rs 7.85 lakh crore for defence, marking a sharp increase from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year. According to official figures, the defence outlay for 2026-27 stands at Rs 7,84,678 crore, compared with Rs 6,81,210 crore in the previous financial year. Of this, the capital outlay…

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a nearly 9 per cent increase in capital expenditure, raising the allocation to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY 2026-27, as the government doubled down on infrastructure-led growth under its “future-ready Bharat” push.Presenting the Union Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the higher allocation was aimed at sustaining…

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed the establishment of dedicated rare earth corridors in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala as part of the Union Budget for 2026–27, aiming to reduce India’s dependence on imports and strengthen domestic capabilities in critical minerals.Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the Centre would “support…

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections reached Rs 1,93,384 crore in January 2026, showing a strong year-on-year increase of 6.2 per cent, reported ANI. The revenue had stood at Rs 1,82,094 crore in January 2025.Cumulatively, gross GST receipts for the period from April to January FY26 amounted to Rs 18,43,423 crore, up 8.3 per…

NEW DELHI: Stock markets indices were trading flat in the Sunday’s special trading session ahead of the Union Budget 2026, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.The Nifty 50 was at 25,302 . 05, down around 16 points, while Sensex was up by over 18 points at 82,301.91 , as at 9.35 am.The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and…

Commercial LPG gas cylinder prices were hiked on Sunday after oil marketing companies revised rates upward, increasing the cost of a 19-kg cylinder by Rs 49 with effect from February 1, Sunday. Following the revision, the retail price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi has increased to Rs 1,740.50. Prices of domestic LPG…

Budget 2026 speech date, time: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on February 1, 2026.The Union Budget 2026 will mark FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Budget presentation, making her the first finance minister in India to achieve this milestone. She will also become the first finance minister…

Markets tend to respond positively when the Budget focuses on growth, infrastructure spending, and tax stability. (AI image) By Somil Mehta,The Union Budget is one of the most important events for Indian stock markets. Every year on February 1, investors closely watch how the Sensex and Nifty react to announcements on taxes, government spending, reforms,…

India’s gold and silver imports surged to record levels in 2025, ringing alarm bells in government and policy circles as soaring precious metal prices threaten to widen the trade deficit and add fresh pressure on the rupee. With limited policy tools available, officials and market participants told Reuters raising import duties is once again emerging…

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, a rare Sunday sitting and a first in independent India’s history. The Budget for FY27 (April 2026–March 2027) is expected to outline measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline and push reforms to shield the economy from global trade frictions,…