February 5, 2026

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday delivered a 1 hour 25 minute presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27, marking her record ninth consecutive budget. She made several major announcements covering income tax, defence, railways, MSMEs, healthcare, and more.The budget was hailed as “historic” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a “high flight toward Viksit Bharat” by 2047, shortly after FM Sitharaman’s presentation in the Lok Sabha.Here are the 10 big announcements from Union Budget 2026Defence – The Union Budget 2026 has allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year. Out of this, Rs 2.19 lakh crore will go toward modernising the armed forces, including Rs 63,733 crore for aircraft and engines and Rs 25,023 crore for the Navy. The remaining Rs 5.54 lakh crore will cover running expenses, including Rs 1.71 lakh crore for pensions.Railways – The FM Sitharaman proposed seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities—Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri—to promote an environmentally sustainable passenger system. The Railways has been allocated a strong capital expenditure of Rs 2,93,030 crore to boost infrastructure-driven growth and fast-track the vision of Viksit Bharat. She also announced a new dedicated freight corridor linking Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat to ensure efficient and eco-friendly movement of goods across the country.Income Tax – Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into effect from April 1, replacing the six-decade-old tax law. The new law simplifies rules and forms, making compliance easier for taxpayers, and is revenue neutral with no change in tax rates. It cuts sections by about 50%, removes ambiguities, replaces the assessment year with a single “tax year,” and allows TDS refunds even if ITRs are filed late without penalties.Rare-earth – The Budget proposed supporting mineral-rich states like Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in setting up dedicated rare earth corridors. This builds on the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’ launched in November 2025, which has a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore. The scheme aims to create 6,000 metric tonnes per year of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India, covering the complete production chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets.Health – The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore in Budget 2026-27, a 10% increase from last year, according to news agency PTI. FM Sitharaman announced a scheme to set up five regional medical hubs with private-sector support to boost medical tourism. Existing allied healthcare institutions will be upgraded, and new ones established, training 1 lakh professionals across 10 disciplines over the next five years. A Rs 10,000 crore investment proposed over the next five years to make India a biopharma manufacturing hub, establish 1,000 clinical trial sites, and strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.Boost to MSMEs – The minister proposed a three-pronged strategy to boost MSMEs, including a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore fund to help them grow as ‘Champions’. In her Budget speech, she said the Modi government’s reforms aim to create jobs, increase productivity, and accelerate growth. She outlined “three kartavyas”: accelerate and sustain economic growth, fulfil aspirations and build capacity, and Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. Under the first, she highlighted six interventions, including support for Champion MSMEs.Education – It also included boost to education with a National Institute of Design in eastern India, five university townships near industrial corridors, and a girls’ hostel in every district for STEM students. Four telescope facilities for astrophysics research will be set up, and a high-powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise Committee’ will align skills with jobs and emerging technologies like AI. Under ‘Orange Economy’, FM also proposed content creator labs in schools and colleges to create ‘future-ready jobs’.Banking – A “High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat” was proposed to review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth. She said the committee will focus on financial stability, inclusion, and consumer protection. Highlighting the strength of India’s banking sector, she noted strong balance sheets, record profitability, improved asset quality, and coverage of over 98 per cent of villages.Agriculture – The Budget also outlined major reform for the agriculture sector, the FM announced announced the launch of ‘Bharat Vistar’ a multilingual AI tool set to integrate AgriStack portals and ICAR’s agricultural practices with advanced AI systems, transforming how farmers access resources and make decisions.Khelo India – Under Budget 2026-27, the finance minister unveiled the Khelo India Mission to revamp the sports sector over the next decade, focusing on talent identification, coach training, sports science, and modern infrastructure development.About the AuthorTOI Business DeskThe TOI Business Desk is a vigilant and dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant business news from around the world to readers of The Times of India. The primary focus of the TOI Business Desk is to keep a watchful eye on the global business landscape, covering a wide spectrum of industries, markets, economic trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact businesses and economies. With a mission to provide valuable insights and updates, the desk ensures that TOI readers are well-informed about the ever-changing and dynamic world of commerce and can navigate the complexities of the business world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Calls Budget 2026 Historic As Reforms Empower Youth Women And India’s Growth Push’Nothing For Bengal’: Mamata Banerjee Attacks ‘Humpty Dumpty’ Union Budget 2026 As Markets TumbleIn First Budget Since Sindoor, FM Sends Signal On Security As Defence Outlay Jumps To ₹7.85L CroreTax Holidays, Safe Harbour, Incentives: Budget 2026 Pushes Investment In India, Boosts IT SectorBudget 2026 Brings New Income Tax Act From April With No Slab Change But Major Compliance ResetSubsidies, Jobs, AI Tool: FM Sitharaman Unveils Big Budget Boost For Agri Sector To Help FarmersMental Health Takes Priority In Budget 2026, FM Sitharaman Announces NIMHANS 2 For North IndiaBudget 2026: Individual Investment Limit For Overseas Residents Doubled To 10%, Sitharaman AnnouncesBudget 2026 Signals Infra First Strategy With Public Capital Expenditure Raised To ₹12.2 Lakh CroreBudget 2026 Targets Tariff Risks As FM Nirmala Sitharaman Rolls Out ₹10,000 Crore Lifeline For MSMEs123PhotostoriesUnion Budget 2026: 6 nuts that got attention of the government and whyNo one Killed Jessica’, ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’, ‘Veer-Zaara’: 5 fearless roles that prove Rani Mukerji is Bollywood’s ultimate Mardani!Union Budget 2026: From coconut to chocolate, things which have got attention in this year’s budget and whyTaylor Swift’s 7 most expensive possessionsCJ Roy death case: What remains unclear as the probe continues7 most memorable Grammy moments to rewind before the 2026 awardsBudget-friendly destinations in 2026: 8 Indian places that should be on every traveller’s wish list this yearBudget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman wears a purple saree rooted in the 1,400-year-old weaving legacy of the Pallava dynastyUnion Budget 2026: 7 high-speed rail corridors announced, including Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Bengaluru; check full listNavi Mumbai airport goes 24/7: Inside the quiet shift to round-the-clock ops123Hot PicksBudget highlights 2026Budget Income Tax SlabUnion Budget 2026February 2026 bank changesIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNirmala Sitharaman SareeMany Pacquiao vs Conor Height DifferenceBengaluru Worker Dead NewsMLB Trade RumorsDwyane Wade WifeSnowboarder Ryan Wedding CaseUnion Budget Speech LiveStock Market BudgetUnion Budget SpeechGold Silver Rate Today

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday delivered a 1 hour 25 minute presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27, marking her record ninth consecutive budget. She made several major announcements covering income tax, defence, railways, MSMEs, healthcare, and more.The budget was hailed as “historic” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a “high flight toward Viksit Bharat” by 2047, shortly after FM Sitharaman’s presentation in the Lok Sabha.Here are the 10 big announcements from Union Budget 2026Defence – The Union Budget 2026 has allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year. Out of this, Rs 2.19 lakh crore will go toward modernising the armed forces, including Rs 63,733 crore for aircraft and engines and Rs 25,023 crore for the Navy. The remaining Rs 5.54 lakh crore will cover running expenses, including Rs 1.71 lakh crore for pensions.Railways – The FM Sitharaman proposed seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities—Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri—to promote an environmentally sustainable passenger system. The Railways has been allocated a strong capital expenditure of Rs 2,93,030 crore to boost infrastructure-driven growth and fast-track the vision of Viksit Bharat. She also announced a new dedicated freight corridor linking Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat to ensure efficient and eco-friendly movement of goods across the country.Income Tax – Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into effect from April 1, replacing the six-decade-old tax law. The new law simplifies rules and forms, making compliance easier for taxpayers, and is revenue neutral with no change in tax rates. It cuts sections by about 50%, removes ambiguities, replaces the assessment year with a single “tax year,” and allows TDS refunds even if ITRs are filed late without penalties.Rare-earth – The Budget proposed supporting mineral-rich states like Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in setting up dedicated rare earth corridors. This builds on the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’ launched in November 2025, which has a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore. The scheme aims to create 6,000 metric tonnes per year of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India, covering the complete production chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets.Health – The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore in Budget 2026-27, a 10% increase from last year, according to news agency PTI. FM Sitharaman announced a scheme to set up five regional medical hubs with private-sector support to boost medical tourism. Existing allied healthcare institutions will be upgraded, and new ones established, training 1 lakh professionals across 10 disciplines over the next five years. A Rs 10,000 crore investment proposed over the next five years to make India a biopharma manufacturing hub, establish 1,000 clinical trial sites, and strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.Boost to MSMEs – The minister proposed a three-pronged strategy to boost MSMEs, including a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore fund to help them grow as ‘Champions’. In her Budget speech, she said the Modi government’s reforms aim to create jobs, increase productivity, and accelerate growth. She outlined “three kartavyas”: accelerate and sustain economic growth, fulfil aspirations and build capacity, and Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. Under the first, she highlighted six interventions, including support for Champion MSMEs.Education – It also included boost to education with a National Institute of Design in eastern India, five university townships near industrial corridors, and a girls’ hostel in every district for STEM students. Four telescope facilities for astrophysics research will be set up, and a high-powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise Committee’ will align skills with jobs and emerging technologies like AI. Under ‘Orange Economy’, FM also proposed content creator labs in schools and colleges to create ‘future-ready jobs’.Banking – A “High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat” was proposed to review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth. She said the committee will focus on financial stability, inclusion, and consumer protection. Highlighting the strength of India’s banking sector, she noted strong balance sheets, record profitability, improved asset quality, and coverage of over 98 per cent of villages.Agriculture – The Budget also outlined major reform for the agriculture sector, the FM announced announced the launch of ‘Bharat Vistar’ a multilingual AI tool set to integrate AgriStack portals and ICAR’s agricultural practices with advanced AI systems, transforming how farmers access resources and make decisions.Khelo India – Under Budget 2026-27, the finance minister unveiled the Khelo India Mission to revamp the sports sector over the next decade, focusing on talent identification, coach training, sports science, and modern infrastructure development.About the AuthorTOI Business DeskThe TOI Business Desk is a vigilant and dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant business news from around the world to readers of The Times of India. The primary focus of the TOI Business Desk is to keep a watchful eye on the global business landscape, covering a wide spectrum of industries, markets, economic trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact businesses and economies. With a mission to provide valuable insights and updates, the desk ensures that TOI readers are well-informed about the ever-changing and dynamic world of commerce and can navigate the complexities of the business world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Calls Budget 2026 Historic As Reforms Empower Youth Women And India’s Growth Push’Nothing For Bengal’: Mamata Banerjee Attacks ‘Humpty Dumpty’ Union Budget 2026 As Markets TumbleIn First Budget Since Sindoor, FM Sends Signal On Security As Defence Outlay Jumps To ₹7.85L CroreTax Holidays, Safe Harbour, Incentives: Budget 2026 Pushes Investment In India, Boosts IT SectorBudget 2026 Brings New Income Tax Act From April With No Slab Change But Major Compliance ResetSubsidies, Jobs, AI Tool: FM Sitharaman Unveils Big Budget Boost For Agri Sector To Help FarmersMental Health Takes Priority In Budget 2026, FM Sitharaman Announces NIMHANS 2 For North IndiaBudget 2026: Individual Investment Limit For Overseas Residents Doubled To 10%, Sitharaman AnnouncesBudget 2026 Signals Infra First Strategy With Public Capital Expenditure Raised To ₹12.2 Lakh CroreBudget 2026 Targets Tariff Risks As FM Nirmala Sitharaman Rolls Out ₹10,000 Crore Lifeline For MSMEs123PhotostoriesUnion Budget 2026: 6 nuts that got attention of the government and whyNo one Killed Jessica’, ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’, ‘Veer-Zaara’: 5 fearless roles that prove Rani Mukerji is Bollywood’s ultimate Mardani!Union Budget 2026: From coconut to chocolate, things which have got attention in this year’s budget and whyTaylor Swift’s 7 most expensive possessionsCJ Roy death case: What remains unclear as the probe continues7 most memorable Grammy moments to rewind before the 2026 awardsBudget-friendly destinations in 2026: 8 Indian places that should be on every traveller’s wish list this yearBudget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman wears a purple saree rooted in the 1,400-year-old weaving legacy of the Pallava dynastyUnion Budget 2026: 7 high-speed rail corridors announced, including Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Bengaluru; check full listNavi Mumbai airport goes 24/7: Inside the quiet shift to round-the-clock ops123Hot PicksBudget highlights 2026Budget Income Tax SlabUnion Budget 2026February 2026 bank changesIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNirmala Sitharaman SareeMany Pacquiao vs Conor Height DifferenceBengaluru Worker Dead NewsMLB Trade RumorsDwyane Wade WifeSnowboarder Ryan Wedding CaseUnion Budget Speech LiveStock Market BudgetUnion Budget SpeechGold Silver Rate Today


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

NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday delivered a 1 hour 25 minute presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27, marking her record ninth consecutive budget. She made several major announcements covering income tax, defence, railways, MSMEs, healthcare, and more.The budget was hailed as “historic” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a “high flight toward Viksit Bharat” by 2047, shortly after FM Sitharaman’s presentation in the Lok Sabha.

Here are the 10 big announcements from Union Budget 2026

  • Defence – The Union Budget 2026 has allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year. Out of this, Rs 2.19 lakh crore will go toward modernising the armed forces, including Rs 63,733 crore for aircraft and engines and Rs 25,023 crore for the Navy. The remaining Rs 5.54 lakh crore will cover running expenses, including Rs 1.71 lakh crore for pensions.

  • Railways – The FM Sitharaman proposed seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities—Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri—to promote an environmentally sustainable passenger system. The Railways has been allocated a strong capital expenditure of Rs 2,93,030 crore to boost infrastructure-driven growth and fast-track the vision of Viksit Bharat. She also announced a new dedicated freight corridor linking Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat to ensure efficient and eco-friendly movement of goods across the country.

  • Income Tax – Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into effect from April 1, replacing the six-decade-old tax law. The new law simplifies rules and forms, making compliance easier for taxpayers, and is revenue neutral with no change in tax rates. It cuts sections by about 50%, removes ambiguities, replaces the assessment year with a single “tax year,” and allows TDS refunds even if ITRs are filed late without penalties.

  • Rare-earth – The Budget proposed supporting mineral-rich states like Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in setting up dedicated rare earth corridors. This builds on the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’ launched in November 2025, which has a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore. The scheme aims to create 6,000 metric tonnes per year of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India, covering the complete production chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets.

  • Health – The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore in Budget 2026-27, a 10% increase from last year, according to news agency PTI. FM Sitharaman announced a scheme to set up five regional medical hubs with private-sector support to boost medical tourism. Existing allied healthcare institutions will be upgraded, and new ones established, training 1 lakh professionals across 10 disciplines over the next five years. A Rs 10,000 crore investment proposed over the next five years to make India a biopharma manufacturing hub, establish 1,000 clinical trial sites, and strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

  • Boost to MSMEs – The minister proposed a three-pronged strategy to boost MSMEs, including a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore fund to help them grow as ‘Champions’. In her Budget speech, she said the Modi government’s reforms aim to create jobs, increase productivity, and accelerate growth. She outlined “three kartavyas”: accelerate and sustain economic growth, fulfil aspirations and build capacity, and Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. Under the first, she highlighted six interventions, including support for Champion MSMEs.

  • Education – It also included boost to education with a National Institute of Design in eastern India, five university townships near industrial corridors, and a girls’ hostel in every district for STEM students. Four telescope facilities for astrophysics research will be set up, and a high-powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise Committee’ will align skills with jobs and emerging technologies like AI. Under ‘Orange Economy’, FM also proposed content creator labs in schools and colleges to create ‘future-ready jobs’.

  • Banking – A “High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat” was proposed to review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth. She said the committee will focus on financial stability, inclusion, and consumer protection. Highlighting the strength of India’s banking sector, she noted strong balance sheets, record profitability, improved asset quality, and coverage of over 98 per cent of villages.

  • Agriculture – The Budget also outlined major reform for the agriculture sector, the FM announced announced the launch of ‘Bharat Vistar’ a multilingual AI tool set to integrate AgriStack portals and ICAR’s agricultural practices with advanced AI systems, transforming how farmers access resources and make decisions.

  • Khelo India – Under Budget 2026-27, the finance minister unveiled the Khelo India Mission to revamp the sports sector over the next decade, focusing on talent identification, coach training, sports science, and modern infrastructure development.



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Generative image NEW DELHI: The Russian foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that Moscow had no reason to believe India is doing a rethink on its oil purchase from Russia, while also asserting that it’s ready to carry forward close cooperation with India in the energy sector.“We are convinced that India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons is mutually beneficial & contributes to maintaining stability in the global energy market,” the ministry said in a post on X, adding Russia stands ready to continue close cooperation in this area with its Indian partners. Venezuelan Oil For India? US Offer Comes With Conditions As Pressure Grows Over Russian CrudeRussia had on Tuesday said it had not received any communication from India about Russian oil purchase being stopped.His comments came a day after US President Trump said PM Modi has “agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the US and, potentially, Venezuela.”In a post on Truth Social, Trump, who spoke with Prime Minister Modi on Monday, announced that India and the US had agreed to a trade deal under which Washington would charge a reduced reciprocal tariff on Delhi, lowering it from 50% to 18%.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123PhotostoriesJupiter-inspired names for babies born on ThursdayFrom Miley’s leather to Rosé’s black dress: 5 Grammy trends you can actually wear to work today5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hours123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

Generative image NEW DELHI: The Russian foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that Moscow had no reason to believe India is doing a rethink on its oil purchase from Russia, while also asserting that it’s ready to carry forward close cooperation with India in the energy sector.“We are convinced that India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons is mutually beneficial & contributes to maintaining stability in the global energy market,” the ministry said in a post on X, adding Russia stands ready to continue close cooperation in this area with its Indian partners. Venezuelan Oil For India? US Offer Comes With Conditions As Pressure Grows Over Russian CrudeRussia had on Tuesday said it had not received any communication from India about Russian oil purchase being stopped.His comments came a day after US President Trump said PM Modi has “agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the US and, potentially, Venezuela.”In a post on Truth Social, Trump, who spoke with Prime Minister Modi on Monday, announced that India and the US had agreed to a trade deal under which Washington would charge a reduced reciprocal tariff on Delhi, lowering it from 50% to 18%.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123PhotostoriesJupiter-inspired names for babies born on ThursdayFrom Miley’s leather to Rosé’s black dress: 5 Grammy trends you can actually wear to work today5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hours123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

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Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy CHENNAI: Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy, who turns 93 on Thursday, cuts a commanding figure — the tall cardiologist who walked away from a thriving US practice after his father’s plea to “help people in India.” A 1979 tragedy sealed it: a 35-year-old patient died, treatment abroad unaffordable. Seeing the widow and children, he asked, “If Indian doctors save lives in the US, why not here at home?”Dr Reddy, who turns 93 Thursday, lobbied PM Indira Gandhi to ensure import duties on equipment fell from 300% to zero. Banks funded the build; cement and steel came cheap, and he built Apollo Chennai, India’s first multispecialty hospital, in 1983 with a promise to offer treatment to 25% of patients free.Dr Reddy’s zeal reshaped more than medicine. Hours before Apollo’s launch, he axed a glaring “Casualty” sign: “Why would trauma patients want to be wheeled into ‘casualties’ rooms? My staff thought people wouldn’t recognise any other word. But I insisted on changing it to ‘Emergency’. It’s now standard nationwide,” he said.He recalled how four decades on, his 4Cs mantra — clinical excellence, compassionate care, cost-effectiveness, cutting-edge technology — powers a 10,000-bed empire rivalling reputable international hospitals in cardiac procedures, organ transplants, and outcomes at a fraction of developed nations’ costs. While Southeast Asia’s first proton therapy centre hums in Chennai; Mumbai and Delhi will get next-gen upgrades, he said.His dream now is to put India on the global healthcare map. If India allows visa-on-arrival at least for friendly nations, it will double patient inflows overnight across 400 hospitals, including Apollo, spurring jobs and retaining skilled resources, including doctors and nurses. Simultaneously, India must ensure its people are healthy. Periodic health checks and health risk evaluation using AI models and genetic tests must be encouraged. “People must not assume they are healthy; they must be told they are healthy,” he said.He agrees this will not be easy without reforms in health insurance. Dr Reddy practises what he preaches. “Like any other Indian, I have all the health risks – I have been diabetic for nearly 50 years, I have hypertension, high cholesterol and I was overweight,” he said. Fifteen years ago, he suffered a heart attack. “But preventive health checks, early diagnosis and treatment, diet and regular exercises have kept me going. I still do 20 minutes’ walk every day with at least seven minutes of brisk walking. I have lost at least 15 kg from nearly 105 kg. My blood pressure and sugar levels are under control. Indians have the genetic predisposition for some non-communicable diseases, but they can all be brought under control with lifestyle and medications,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123Photostories5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy CHENNAI: Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy, who turns 93 on Thursday, cuts a commanding figure — the tall cardiologist who walked away from a thriving US practice after his father’s plea to “help people in India.” A 1979 tragedy sealed it: a 35-year-old patient died, treatment abroad unaffordable. Seeing the widow and children, he asked, “If Indian doctors save lives in the US, why not here at home?”Dr Reddy, who turns 93 Thursday, lobbied PM Indira Gandhi to ensure import duties on equipment fell from 300% to zero. Banks funded the build; cement and steel came cheap, and he built Apollo Chennai, India’s first multispecialty hospital, in 1983 with a promise to offer treatment to 25% of patients free.Dr Reddy’s zeal reshaped more than medicine. Hours before Apollo’s launch, he axed a glaring “Casualty” sign: “Why would trauma patients want to be wheeled into ‘casualties’ rooms? My staff thought people wouldn’t recognise any other word. But I insisted on changing it to ‘Emergency’. It’s now standard nationwide,” he said.He recalled how four decades on, his 4Cs mantra — clinical excellence, compassionate care, cost-effectiveness, cutting-edge technology — powers a 10,000-bed empire rivalling reputable international hospitals in cardiac procedures, organ transplants, and outcomes at a fraction of developed nations’ costs. While Southeast Asia’s first proton therapy centre hums in Chennai; Mumbai and Delhi will get next-gen upgrades, he said.His dream now is to put India on the global healthcare map. If India allows visa-on-arrival at least for friendly nations, it will double patient inflows overnight across 400 hospitals, including Apollo, spurring jobs and retaining skilled resources, including doctors and nurses. Simultaneously, India must ensure its people are healthy. Periodic health checks and health risk evaluation using AI models and genetic tests must be encouraged. “People must not assume they are healthy; they must be told they are healthy,” he said.He agrees this will not be easy without reforms in health insurance. Dr Reddy practises what he preaches. “Like any other Indian, I have all the health risks – I have been diabetic for nearly 50 years, I have hypertension, high cholesterol and I was overweight,” he said. Fifteen years ago, he suffered a heart attack. “But preventive health checks, early diagnosis and treatment, diet and regular exercises have kept me going. I still do 20 minutes’ walk every day with at least seven minutes of brisk walking. I have lost at least 15 kg from nearly 105 kg. My blood pressure and sugar levels are under control. Indians have the genetic predisposition for some non-communicable diseases, but they can all be brought under control with lifestyle and medications,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123Photostories5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

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Nishikant Dubey NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha, already deadlocked over Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on referring to an unpublished book, was plunged into deeper impasse on Wednesday as BJP MP Nishikant Dubey turned to a pile of books with uncharitable references to members of the Nehru-Gandhi family to “expose” Congress.PM Modi’s reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address had to be called off due to the stepped-up protest from the opposition.Dubey’s move was seen as BJP’s bid to turn the heat on Congress, which has been attacking Modi over bits of the unpublished book authored by ex-Army chief Gen M M Naravane (retd), and it further riled up the protesting opposition MPs in LS, who turned up the noise and tore papers, but not before the fourth-term member had his say for over a couple of minutes.TDP MP Krishna Tenneti, who was in the Chair, kept asking Dubey not to carry on and that his speech was against Speaker Om Birla’s ruling. “You listen to me. You cannot do this,” Tenneti said even as the BJP MP continued.The Chair later adjourned the House, but several opposition MPs questioned why Dubey was allowed to go on. Congress members later met LS Speaker Birla and demanded his suspension.The books Dubey mentioned included ‘Reminiscences of the Nehru Age’ by former private secretary to India’s first PM, M O Mathai; ‘Edwina and Nehru’, ‘Ceasefires’ and ‘The Red Sari’, and then touched on their content, including some controversial references to private lives besides allegations of corruption, amid furious protests.These books were either banned when Congress was in office or restricted to the extent that they were not available. “Since a book which is not published is being discussed, I want to speak about books which are full of stories of the corruption, deviousness, wanton indulgences and corruption of the Nehru family,” Dubey alleged, a charge he elaborated during a press conference later.Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Deepender Hooda, urged Birla to suspend Dubey, and demanded that Rahul be allowed to speak before Modi’s reply on motion of thanks on the President’s address.Unrelenting protest from opposition members meant that Modi’s address scheduled for 5 pm was called off.In his comments to the media later, Dubey referred to more books, many of them he said were banned, to target Congress’s leading family over a host of allegations, including personal indulgences. This included ‘Himalayan Blunder’, a damning account of Indian leadership during the 1962 war with China which was banned, but became available later.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123Photostories5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

Nishikant Dubey NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha, already deadlocked over Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on referring to an unpublished book, was plunged into deeper impasse on Wednesday as BJP MP Nishikant Dubey turned to a pile of books with uncharitable references to members of the Nehru-Gandhi family to “expose” Congress.PM Modi’s reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address had to be called off due to the stepped-up protest from the opposition.Dubey’s move was seen as BJP’s bid to turn the heat on Congress, which has been attacking Modi over bits of the unpublished book authored by ex-Army chief Gen M M Naravane (retd), and it further riled up the protesting opposition MPs in LS, who turned up the noise and tore papers, but not before the fourth-term member had his say for over a couple of minutes.TDP MP Krishna Tenneti, who was in the Chair, kept asking Dubey not to carry on and that his speech was against Speaker Om Birla’s ruling. “You listen to me. You cannot do this,” Tenneti said even as the BJP MP continued.The Chair later adjourned the House, but several opposition MPs questioned why Dubey was allowed to go on. Congress members later met LS Speaker Birla and demanded his suspension.The books Dubey mentioned included ‘Reminiscences of the Nehru Age’ by former private secretary to India’s first PM, M O Mathai; ‘Edwina and Nehru’, ‘Ceasefires’ and ‘The Red Sari’, and then touched on their content, including some controversial references to private lives besides allegations of corruption, amid furious protests.These books were either banned when Congress was in office or restricted to the extent that they were not available. “Since a book which is not published is being discussed, I want to speak about books which are full of stories of the corruption, deviousness, wanton indulgences and corruption of the Nehru family,” Dubey alleged, a charge he elaborated during a press conference later.Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Deepender Hooda, urged Birla to suspend Dubey, and demanded that Rahul be allowed to speak before Modi’s reply on motion of thanks on the President’s address.Unrelenting protest from opposition members meant that Modi’s address scheduled for 5 pm was called off.In his comments to the media later, Dubey referred to more books, many of them he said were banned, to target Congress’s leading family over a host of allegations, including personal indulgences. This included ‘Himalayan Blunder’, a damning account of Indian leadership during the 1962 war with China which was banned, but became available later.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123Photostories5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away

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