Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her record ninth straight Union Budget, with markets closely tracking headline numbers ranging from the fiscal deficit and capital expenditure to borrowing and tax revenue projections, as India charts its course as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.The Budget will be presented in a paperless format, continuing the … Read more
As Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026–27 tomorrow (February 1), tax data from the past five years highlights the evolving revenue base of the government. Both direct and indirect taxes have grown steadily, reflecting changes in economic activity, compliance and policy design. A closer look at the data shows … Read more
Improving the ease of doing business has been a consistent focus of the government. Successive Budgets have announced initiatives towards policy and regulatory reforms, decriminalisation and easing compliances in various spheres including taxation. The current financial year witnessed significant measures like structural simplification through the new Income tax law, boosting consumption through tax reliefs for … Read more
India’s Union Budgets over the past eight decades have reflected the country’s evolving aspirations and economic journey. The upcoming Union Budget for 2026–27, to be presented on February 1, marks several firsts and milestones in that long tradition.With just a day to go, the country is gearing up for the financial statement that will be … Read more
MUMBAI: IDFC First Bank reported a 48.1% jump in net profit to Rs 503 crore for the third quarter ended December, from Rs 339 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The increase was helped by higher core income, lower sequential provisions and an improvement in asset quality.The bank’s bottom line improved aided by stronger … Read more
India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by a sharp $8.053 billion to touch a new all-time high of $709.413 billion in the week ended January 23, extending the recent rebound after months of pressure from rupee volatility, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India.The latest rise follows a jump of $14.167 billion in … Read more
Several banking and card-related changes will come into effect from February 2026, affecting everyday transactions, credit card benefits and compliance requirements for customers of State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Punjab National Bank, according to ET.Among the key changes, SBI will revise service charges on certain IMPS transactions from February 15, 2026. … Read more
As the Union Budget 2026–27 approaches, education stakeholders across schools, higher education, skilling, and edtech are calling for focused policy measures and financial support to strengthen learning outcomes, employability, and workforce readiness. These expectations come amid a steady rise in education allocations over the past few years and an increased emphasis on execution and infrastructure.The … Read more
Over the last few years, personal taxation has seen meaningful changes, particularly in the form of revised slabs By Sureshkumar SIndia enters the Union Budget 2026 on relatively strong economic footing, supported by steady growth, resilient domestic demand and continued investment in digital public infrastructure. Over the last few years, personal taxation has seen meaningful … Read more
A determined farmer integrates solar power into his rural Indian landscape, balancing tradition with a sustainable future. NEW DELHI: Relatively slow growth in electricity demand in 2025–26, surplus power availability during solar hours leading to weak demand, and assured power availability for discoms after 2028–29 are among the reasons why renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs) … Read more