STT hike after Budget 2026: What is Securities Transaction Tax & what does it mean for F&O traders and investors

Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives will rise from April 1, 2026, after the Finance minister Sithraman in her 9th budget speech proposed higher rates on futures and options trading as part of Budget 2026 changes to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the move while presenting the Budget, saying: “I … Read more

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, … Read more

Union Budget 2026: Rs 95,692.31cr allocated for VB-G RAM G, Jal Jeevan Mission outlay raised to Rs 67,670cr

As the Centre prepares to roll out the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar Aajeevika Mission (Grameen) (VB-G RAM G), it has allocated Rs 95,692.31 crore for the new scheme, while earmarking Rs 30,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).Allocation for MGNREGA is shown at Rs 30,000 crore for 2026-27, lower than … Read more

Union Budget 2026: How NDA parties, opposition reacted

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget session of the Parliament, bringing a mixed reaction from political parties across the spectrum.While presenting her ninth consecutive Budget, the finance minister announced that the capital expenditure target will be … Read more

FM brings IT services under single category in Union Budget: What this means for IT companies

Union Budget 2026 recognises the Indian IT sector as one of the key growth drivers for the country’s economy. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a single category for companies offering IT services in the country. Highlighting India’s position as a global leader in software development services, IT-enabled services, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPOs) and contract … Read more

Union Budget 2026: Big push to ‘future ready’ infra, FM hikes capex by 9%

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 … Read more

Union Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman flags health challenges; unveils Rs 10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti

. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 on Sunday, unveiled a Rs 10,000 crore biopharma initiative and announced the expansion of Ayurveda institutions to meet growing global demand for traditional medicine. To bolster India’s position as a global biopharma hub, the Budget proposed Biopharma Shakti, a new initiative with an outlay … Read more

Banking Sector Budget 2026 Live: Nirmala Sitharaman announces ‘Banking for Viksit Bharat’ panel

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the setting up of a high-level committee on “Banking for Viksit Bharat”, signalling a comprehensive review of the financial sector as India prepares for its next phase of economic growth.“I propose setting up a high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat to comprehensively review the sector and … Read more

Gross GST collections in January rise 6.2% to Rs 1.93 lakh crore, net revenue up 7.6%

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 … Read more