NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman may not have opened the purse strings for poll-bound states in Union Budget 2026 but she made them a part of many ambitious development initiatives like the rare earth corridor, dedicated freight passage and the proposed high-speed rail networks.Assembly elections are scheduled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam…
PTI file photo Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget on Sunday, announced a new scheme to support states in setting up five regional medical hubs in partnership with the private sector. These hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, combining medical care, education, and research, and aim to position India as a leading…
Budget 2026 sharpens focus on Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas as school education gets fresh funding push. India’s Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (NV) two central schools systems have again been given new priorities in the Union Budget 2026-27 with increased funds being given to improve access to these schools, infrastructure, and day-to-day running…
Today, the 2026–27 Union Budget was presented in the Parliament by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It’s a budget that loves travellers as at the heart of the Budget’s travel appeal is a sharp reduction of the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas tour packages. Yes, this time, the Budget didn’t just target economic…
Indian cricket team (PTI Photo) India head into the T20 World Cup 2026 on home soil carrying the weight of expectation, widely viewed as the team to beat. After lifting the trophy in 2024, Suryakumar Yadav’s side has been backed by many to defend the title and script history by becoming the first team to…
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (File photo) Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday warned the United States’ Middle East allies that any potential US attack on the Islamic Republic would trigger a regional war, amid heightened tensions between the two countries following deadly domestic protests in Iran.Speaking at a legislative session, Khamenei told Iranians they…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Union Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, saying it lays out a clear roadmap towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and gives fresh momentum to India’s reform push. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget for a record ninth consecutive time, raising capital expenditure to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, with…
File photo: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Picture credit: ANI) NEW DELHI: Presenting the Budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed setting up a “High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat”, to comprehensively review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth.“I propose setting up a ‘High Level Committee on Banking…
In a landmark move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has revealed plans for a new Buddhist Circuit scheme for six Northeastern states in the Union Budget 2026–27. The budget was presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026 and this announcement marks a major policy shift to boost India’s religious tourism portfolio. This initiative will create a…
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq found himself at the centre of attention following the second T20I against Australia in Lahore, responding pointedly on social media after an on-field moment involving Cameron Green sparked debate. The episode unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday during Australia’s run chase. Green, attempting an…