Business

New Education Infrastructure Announced in Budget Speech The Government will establish five university townships in the vicinity of major industrial logistics centres, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha on Sunday.The announcement is aimed at strengthening the link between higher education and industrial ecosystems by placing academic institutions closer to key logistics and manufacturing zones.One Girls’ Hostel Planned in Every District As part of the education and social infrastructure push, the Finance Minister also announced the setting up of one girls’ hostel in every district across the country. India has more than 700 districts, making the initiative...

Budget 2026 Focuses on Healthcare Expansion and Rural Employment Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced that the government will establish a nationwide network of more than 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites, marking a major push to expand India’s healthcare research infrastructure beyond major metropolitan centres.At present, most large clinical trial facilities are concentrated in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The proposed expansion aims to widen access and strengthen India’s overall clinical research ecosystem.Credit-Linked Subsidy for Livestock Farmer Producer Organisations As part of the Budget proposals, the finance minister also introduced a credit-linked subsidy...

Debt-to-GDP Ratio Projected to Decline in FY27 The government has proposed to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6 percent in FY27, down from 56.1 percent in the current financial year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha.₹5,000 Crore Allocation for CITY Economic Regions As part of the Budget proposals, the Centre has earmarked ₹5,000 crore over five years for the development of CITY Economic Regions (CERs). The allocation is aimed at supporting regional economic growth through focused infrastructure and planning initiatives.41 Percent Tax Devolution Formula Retained The Finance Minister also announced that the government has accepted the recommendations of...

PROI Investment Limits Proposed to Be Raised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced that individual persons residing outside India, referred to as PROIs, will be permitted to invest in equity shares of listed Indian companies through a portfolio investment scheme.As part of the proposal, the government also plans to raise the investment limit for PROIs to 10 percent from the existing 5 percent, widening participation by overseas individual investors in India’s equity markets.Corporate Bond Market and Derivatives Framework While presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, the Finance Minister proposed the development of a framework that provides suitable access to funds and derivatives linked to corporate bond indices. The...

Budget 2026-27 Focuses on Compliance Support for MSMEs The Union Budget 2026-27 has outlined a new initiative aimed at easing compliance challenges faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The government will develop a dedicated cadre of corporate mitras in Tier II and Tier III cities to assist MSMEs with statutory and regulatory requirements at affordable costs.The announcement was made by Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament.Corporate Mitras to Provide Affordable Professional Support According to the budget proposals, the corporate mitras cadre will help MSMEs meet compliance obligations, reducing procedural burdens for smaller businesses operating outside major urban centres. The...

Five Regional Medical Tourism Hubs Planned Across States Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced plans to support states in setting up five regional medical tourism hubs as part of the Union Budget proposals.Presenting the Budget in Parliament, the Finance Minister said the Centre will launch a dedicated scheme to assist states in establishing these hubs. The proposed medical tourism hubs will function as integrated healthcare complexes, bringing together advanced medical services, education, and research facilities under a single framework.The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s position as a global destination for medical tourism while also improving domestic healthcare infrastructure.₹10,000 Crore...

Girls’ Hostel in Every District Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the setting up of one girls’ hostel in every district across the country. The announcement covers all districts nationwide, numbering over 700, with the objective of expanding safe and accessible accommodation for women.Capital Subsidy Scheme for Veterinary Infrastructure The Finance Minister also proposed a loan linked capital subsidy support scheme aimed at strengthening veterinary colleges, veterinary hospitals, and diagnostic laboratories. The initiative is intended to support infrastructure development in the animal healthcare and education ecosystem.Ayush Pharmacies and Traditional Medicine Facilities to Be Upgraded As part of the...

New Delhi, February 1 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed a significant increase in government support for electronics manufacturing, announcing an outlay of ₹40,000 crore for the sector in the 2026–27 fiscal year.Presenting the Union Budget for 2026–27, the Finance Minister outlined a series of measures aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities across electronics, capital goods, chemicals, and logistics-related industries.High-Tech Tool Rooms and Capital Goods Push As part of the capital goods manufacturing strategy, the government will establish high-tech tool rooms at two locations. These facilities are intended to support advanced manufacturing requirements and enhance industrial productivity...

₹20,000 Crore Allocation for Carbon Capture and Utilisation Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed an allocation of ₹20,000 crore for a carbon capture and utilisation scheme spanning multiple sectors, including steel and cement. The proposal was announced while presenting the Union Budget for 2026–27 in Parliament, highlighting the government’s focus on climate linked industrial solutions.Incentives for Seaplane Manufacturing to Boost Tourism As part of efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure, the Finance Minister said the government will provide incentives for manufacturing seaplanes in India. The move is aimed at supporting domestic production while improving connectivity to tourism destinations.High Level...

Union Budget 2026-27 Highlights Infrastructure Expansion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a significant increase in the government’s capital expenditure outlay, setting the target at ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY27. This marks a rise from the ₹11.2 lakh crore allocated for the current financial year, underlining the government’s continued emphasis on infrastructure-led growth.Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha, the Finance Minister said the higher capex allocation is aimed at accelerating project execution and strengthening economic momentum across sectors.Focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities The government reiterated its commitment to expanding infrastructure development beyond major urban centres...

Self-Reliant India Fund to Be Topped Up in FY27 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹4,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund in 2026-27, reinforcing the government’s focus on strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises.The Self-Reliant India Fund was announced in 2023 with an objective to infuse ₹50,000 crore as equity funding into MSMEs that demonstrate the potential and viability to scale into large enterprises.Integrated Textile Programme Proposed in Budget While presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, the finance minister proposed an integrated textile programme with five sub-parts. The initiative is expected to support the textile sector, which is facing pressure following steep 50 percent tariffs...

Incentive for Large Municipal Bond Issuances Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed an incentive of ₹100 crore for municipal corporations that undertake a single bond issuance exceeding ₹1,000 crore. The move is aimed at encouraging larger and more efficient fund raising by urban local bodies through the bond market.Restructuring of REC and PFC Announced As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen public sector financial institutions, the Finance Minister announced the restructuring of REC Ltd and Power Finance Corporation. The restructuring is positioned as a step toward enhancing the role of these institutions in financing infrastructure and power sector development.High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit...

Commitment to a Just and Lasting Peace India and the Arab States have reiterated their collective commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in West Asia in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. The reaffirmation came during the second India Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the meeting alongside Foreign Ministers of Arab States and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, underscoring the growing diplomatic engagement between India and the Arab world.Support for Palestine and Regional Stability The Delhi Declaration issued after the meeting called for...

Renaming of Adampur Airport in Honour of Sant Guru Ravidas Narendra Modi will visit Punjab today to commemorate the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas. As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will arrive at Adampur Airport, where he will formally unveil the airport’s new name as Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport, Adampur.The Prime Minister’s Office said the renaming is a tribute to the revered saint and social reformer, whose teachings on equality, compassion, and human dignity continue to influence India’s social and cultural fabric.Halwara Airport Terminal to Boost Regional Connectivity During the visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Terminal Building at Halwara Airport. The new terminal is expected to serve as...

Budget Presentation in Parliament Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha today. Following the presentation in the Lower House, a copy of the Budget will also be tabled in the Rajya Sabha. This marks the third Budget of the Narendra Modi government in its third term.Extensive Pre-Budget Consultations Ahead of the Budget preparation, the Finance Minister conducted a series of pre-Budget consultation meetings with a wide range of stakeholders. These included representatives from trade unions, education and health sectors, MSMEs, trade and services, industry, the financial sector, capital markets, and economists.In parallel, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held extensive...

Finance Minister to Table Ninth Consecutive Budget on Sunday New Delhi, January 31: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 on Sunday, marking a key event in the government’s annual fiscal calendar.This will be the ninth consecutive Union Budget presented by Sitharaman in her capacity as Finance Minister. Following the Budget speech in Parliament, the full set of budget documents will be made available through the official mobile application and the government’s website.Pre Budget Consultations and Economic Survey Set the Context In the run up to the Budget, the Finance Minister held a series of pre Budget consultation meetings with...

Price Pressures Stay Contained as Policy Headroom Improves As preparations intensify for Budget 2026, the latest inflation data points to a period of relative price stability, offering policymakers additional flexibility. Inflation remained below the lower tolerance limit set by the Reserve Bank of India for the fourth consecutive month in December 2025, even as headline and food inflation edged up marginally from November due to selective price pressures.Headline Inflation Remains Subdued Headline consumer price index inflation stood at 1.33 percent year on year in December 2025. This marked an increase of 62 basis points over November, but still kept inflation comfortably below the lower threshold of the central bank’s tolerance...

UAE Backs Landmark India EU Trade Pact The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the free trade agreement between India and the European Union, describing it as a major step toward strengthening economic openness and supporting sustainable growth.In a statement issued on Friday, the UAE said the agreement reflects a shared commitment by India and the EU to free trade and economic cooperation, while also serving as a model for partnerships that promote long-term prosperity.India and EU Seal Major Trade Deal India and the European Union earlier this week concluded what has been described as a landmark free trade agreement, creating access to a combined market of nearly two billion people. The agreement was unveiled by Prime Minister...

Ahmedabad, January 31, 2026 (Saturday): Adani Green Energy Limited on Saturday issued a clarification addressing recent media reports related to a civil matter involving two of its directors in the United States, stating that the company itself is not involved in the proceedings and faces no charges.Company Not a Party to the Case The company said the matter relates to a civil complaint filed in a US court against directors Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani in their individual capacities. Adani Green Energy Limited clarified that it has not been named as a defendant in the case and no allegations have been levelled against the company.According to the update, legal counsel representing the two directors has agreed to accept service on...

Exports Continue to Expand Despite Global Headwinds India’s goods and services exports have recorded positive growth so far in the current year up to January 21, even as the global economy faces uncertainty. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the resilience of the country’s export performance while addressing an event in Greater Noida.While specific figures were not disclosed, the minister said India’s export momentum remains intact and expressed confidence that sustained efforts will help the country continue setting new records in the coming years.December Merchandise Trade Performance India’s merchandise exports rose by 1.87 percent to USD 38.5 billion in December last year. During the same month, imports...