Photo credit: PTI 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 focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, tax simplification and long-term growth.The Union Budget 2026 triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties calling it disappointing and lacking substance.The Budget signalled clear cost shifts for consumers, offering relief through duty cuts on medicines, sports goods and clean-energy inputs, while tightening taxes on trading activity, corporate payouts and select imports.The ministry of external affairs rejected Pakistan’s claims that India was involved in recent attacks in Balochistan, terming the allegations baseless. Union Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Announces Key Customs Duty Relief Across Key Sectors Here are the top 5 news of the day:PM Modi hails Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, pushes Viksit Bharat visionPrime Minister Narendra Modi described the Union Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, saying it provides a clear roadmap towards achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and adds momentum to India’s reform journey. PM Modi praised finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting her ninth consecutive Budget, calling it a symbol of women’s empowerment, and said the Budget strengthens long-term national goals, economic growth, and reforms.The PM highlighted India’s ambition to become the world’s third-largest economy, referred to the recently signed “mother of all deals” with the European Union to benefit youth and MSMEs, and said the Budget supports initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Budget 2026Budget 2026 Live Updates: Govt sets capital expenditure target for FY27 at Rs 12.2 lakh croreUnion Budget 2026-27: What gets cheaper, what gets costlierLatest income tax slabs FY 2026-27: What are the income tax slabs, rates under new and old tax regime after Budget 2026? Check full details & FAQsRead full storyKey takeaways from Union Budget 2026–27The Union Budget 2026–27, presented by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on infrastructure expansion, manufacturing growth, fiscal consolidation and tax simplification amid strong economic momentum. Capital expenditure was raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27, while the fiscal deficit was narrowed to 4.3% of GDP, with the total budget size pegged at Rs 53.5 lakh crore and net tax receipts estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore. Key measures included the rollout of a new Income Tax Act from April 2026, duty exemptions on medicines and critical manufacturing inputs, major outlays for biopharma, semiconductors, rare earths, MSMEs, clean energy and carbon capture, and proposals for high-speed rail corridors, freight corridors, waterways and urban infrastructure. Read full story’Blind to India’s real crises’: How Rahul Gandhi, oppn leaders criticise the Union BudgetUnion Budget 2026–27 drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Congress described the Budget as “disappointing” and said finance minister Sitharaman’s speech was “short” and “lacking specifics.” Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, highlighted issues such as unemployment, declining manufacturing, capital outflows, farmer distress, and global uncertainties, saying these challenges were ignored while leaders from Kerala flagged the absence of state-specific allocations. Trinamool Congress leaders, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, accused the Centre of neglecting West Bengal, while party MPs said the Budget largely repeated earlier schemes without fresh initiatives. Read full story’Pakistan deflecting attention from internal failings’: MEA rejects ‘baseless’ claims on Balochistan attacksIndia firmly rejected what it called “baseless” allegations by Pakistan that New Delhi had backed the recent deadly attacks in Balochistan, saying the claims were aimed at deflecting attention from Islamabad’s own internal problems. The ministry of external affairs said Pakistan should instead address the long-standing grievances of the people of Balochistan and its record of human rights violations. The response came after Pakistan’s military and interior minister alleged Indian involvement following multiple suicide and gun attacks across the province that left 33 people, including civilians, dead, while security forces claimed to have killed 92 militants. Read full storyUnion Budget 2026-27: What gets cheaper, what gets costlierThe Union Budget 2026–27 presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlines clear cost shifts for consumers and businesses amid global uncertainty. Duty cuts and exemptions may make sports equipment, leather goods, cancer medicines, seafood, solar panels, EV batteries and personal imports cheaper, while lower TCS will reduce upfront costs on foreign travel, education and medical remittances. In contrast, trading activity, corporate cash distributions, video gaming equipment parts, imported coffee machines and alcoholic liquor may become costlier due to changes in taxes and withdrawal of exemptions. Read full storyAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGrowth Momentum Will Continue Says FM Sitharaman As Budget 2026 Bets On Tech Cities And Reforms“All Talk, No Solutions” Oppn Slams Centre Over Economy, JobsUnion Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Announces Key Customs Duty Relief Across Key SectorsPM 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 India123PhotostoriesUnion Budget 2026: Complete list of commodities that will get cheaper and costlier in the food and beverage industryUnion Budget 2026: 6 nuts that got attention of the government and whyRohit Shetty, Salman Khan, Rakesh Roshan: Bollywood celebs who faced gunshot incidentsNo 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 dynasty123Hot 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
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Union Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, saying it lays out a clear roadmap towards aViksit 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, raisingcapital expenditure to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, with focus on infrastructure, manufacturing,tax simplification and long-term growth. - The Union Budget 2026 triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties calling it disappointing and lacking substance.
- The Budget signalled clear cost shifts for consumers, offering relief through duty cuts on medicines, sports goods and clean-energy inputs, while tightening taxes on trading activity, corporate payouts and select imports.
- The
ministry of external affairs rejected Pakistan’s claims that India was involved in recent attacks in Balochistan, terming the allegations baseless.
Here are the top 5 news of the day:
PM Modi hails Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, pushes Viksit Bharat vision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Union Budget 2026–27 as “historic”, saying it provides a clear roadmap towards achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and adds momentum to India’s reform journey. PM Modi praised finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting her ninth consecutive Budget, calling it a symbol of women’s empowerment, and said the Budget strengthens long-term national goals, economic growth, and reforms.The PM highlighted India’s ambition to become the world’s third-largest economy, referred to the recently signed “mother of all deals” with the European Union to benefit youth and MSMEs, and said the Budget supports initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Read full story
Key takeaways from Union Budget 2026–27
The Union Budget 2026–27, presented by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on infrastructure expansion, manufacturing growth, fiscal consolidation and tax simplification amid strong economic momentum. Capital expenditure was raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27, while the fiscal deficit was narrowed to 4.3% of GDP, with the total budget size pegged at Rs 53.5 lakh crore and net tax receipts estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore. Key measures included the rollout of a new Income Tax Act from April 2026, duty exemptions on medicines and critical manufacturing inputs, major outlays for biopharma, semiconductors, rare earths, MSMEs, clean energy and carbon capture, and proposals for high-speed rail corridors, freight corridors, waterways and urban infrastructure. Read full story
‘Blind to India’s real crises’: How Rahul Gandhi, oppn leaders criticise the Union Budget
Union Budget 2026–27 drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Congress described the Budget as “disappointing” and said finance minister Sitharaman’s speech was “short” and “lacking specifics.” Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, highlighted issues such as unemployment, declining manufacturing, capital outflows, farmer distress, and global uncertainties, saying these challenges were ignored while leaders from Kerala flagged the absence of state-specific allocations. Trinamool Congress leaders, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, accused the Centre of neglecting West Bengal, while party MPs said the Budget largely repeated earlier schemes without fresh initiatives. Read full story
‘Pakistan deflecting attention from internal failings’: MEA rejects ‘baseless’ claims on Balochistan attacks
India firmly rejected what it called “baseless” allegations by Pakistan that New Delhi had backed the recent deadly attacks in Balochistan, saying the claims were aimed at deflecting attention from Islamabad’s own internal problems. The ministry of external affairs said Pakistan should instead address the long-standing grievances of the people of Balochistan and its record of human rights violations. The response came after Pakistan’s military and interior minister alleged Indian involvement following multiple suicide and gun attacks across the province that left 33 people, including civilians, dead, while security forces claimed to have killed 92 militants. Read full story
Union Budget 2026-27 : What gets cheaper, what gets costlier
The Union Budget 2026–27 presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlines clear cost shifts for consumers and businesses amid global uncertainty. Duty cuts and exemptions may make sports equipment, leather goods, cancer medicines, seafood, solar panels, EV batteries and personal imports cheaper, while lower TCS will reduce upfront costs on foreign travel, education and medical remittances. In contrast, trading activity, corporate cash distributions, video gaming equipment parts, imported coffee machines and alcoholic liquor may become costlier due to changes in taxes and withdrawal of exemptions. Read full story