Business

Budget 2026 income tax expectations By Kuldip KumarAs the Union Budget approaches, expectations of major tax giveaways appear muted. However, this Budget may assume significance not for dramatic announcements, but for how the Government balances growth, fiscal discipline, and reform amid a challenging economic environment.A Challenging Economic BackdropThe Honourable Finance Minister faces a complex macroeconomic … Read more

With Republic Day being observed across the country today, investors are keen to know whether trading activity will continue as usual or face disruptions. January 26 is a nationally significant day, and it traditionally has implications for financial markets and settlement schedules.At the start of the year, market participants typically track holiday calendars closely, as … Read more

MUMBAI: A study of state finances by RBI shows that while the fiscal deficit of Indian states has widened modestly in recent years, funding patterns have become more market-driven and disciplined, with growth headroom differing sharply between younger and more mature states.The consolidated gross fiscal deficit of states peaked at 4.1% of GDP in 2020-21 … Read more

MUMBAI: Chiefs of India’s consumer companies are seeking more tax cuts, wider measures to put money in the hands of the middle-class and support consumption, which has begun to look up after months of sluggishness but runs the risk of being buffeted by external macro factors. CEOs are also pinning hopes on the Budget to … Read more

A massive winter storm disrupted air travel across the United States on Sunday, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays at some of the country’s busiest airports and setting up what airlines warned would be a brutal travel day.The National Weather Service said late Saturday that widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million … Read more

NEW DELHI: Realty major DLF and GIC joint venture DCCDL’s rental income rose 18 per cent to Rs 1,412 crore in the December quarter amid strong demand for premium office and retail spaces. DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) rental income stood at Rs 1,193 crore in the year-ago period, according to DLF’s latest investors … Read more

In a landmark judgement delivered on 23.05.2025 by a bench comprising of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Abhay S. Oka, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the maternity leave is not a favor or discretionary benefit given by the employer, but a legal right flowing from a woman’s reproductive rights. The court held that maternity leave … Read more

NEW DELHI: Centre on Sunday announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, conferring the Padma Bhushan on veteran banker and industrialist Uday Kotak for his exceptional contribution to the financial sector, a government statement said.The Padma Awards, among India’s most prestigious civilian honours, are given in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma … Read more

India Inc is dialing back hiring of fresh graduates, especially those from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds, as companies turn more selective and focuses on industry-ready talent.Around 200,000–220,000 STEM freshers were hired in FY25, but this number is expected to fall to a little over 150,000 in the current fiscal, according to a … Read more

Old vs New Income Tax Regime (AI image) Each year the Budget speech is eagerly watched and listened to by the common man and middle class taxpayers, seeking answer to a simple query: will my tax burden reduce this year? Even finance ministers presenting the Budget are aware of the populist impact of their speech, … Read more