NEW DELHI: Pointing out that the union government’s spending on health has continued to decline in the post-Covid period, as a percentage of GDP and in terms of its share in total expenditure, a network of 350 organisations and individuals have demanded that the health budget be at least doubled this year. A statement issued…
The Union Budget 2026–27 will be framed against an increasingly fragile global backdrop marked by geopolitical flux, volatile financial markets and a sharp rally in commodities, but India is expected to retain its macro stability with a calibrated fiscal strategy and sustained public investment, according to a pre-Budget assessment by State Bank of India Research.SBI…
India’s corporate sector continues to show confidence in the economy even amid global challenges, as reflected in the Pre-Budget Survey 2026-27 released by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).The survey indicates that close to 80 per cent of participants remain positive about the country’s growth outlook, with nearly half projecting economic…
Gold prices surged to fresh lifetime highs on Wednesday as a sharp fall in the US dollar and renewed geopolitical tensions drove strong safe-haven demand, while silver extended its record-breaking rally in futures trade.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for the February contract rose Rs 4,730, or 3 per cent, to touch a…
Amid the backdrop of Budget 2026, India may need to revisit long-standing restrictions on voting rights in private sector banks if it wants to build stronger lenders capable of supporting the country’s long-term economic ambitions, according to experts.Vijay Mani, Partner and Banking and Capital Markets Leader at Deloitte India, and Russell Gaitonde, Partner, said the…
Reintroduce tax holiday for affordable housing with a tweak that the eligibility for affordable housing should be based on size of flat rather than value. (AI image) By Adarsh RankaIndia’s real estate sector continued its strong growth trajectory in 2025, reinforcing its position as a core pillar of the country’s economic expansion.Government-led reforms continued to…
As finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026 on February 1, defence spending is expected to remain a key focus amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and sustained emphasis on military modernisation. Defence outlay shows steady rise Over the last five years, India’s defence expenditure has followed a clear upward trajectory. Spending rose…
India’s industrial production growth accelerated to a more than two-year high of 7.8% in December 2025, driven by strong performances across mining, manufacturing and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed.Factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had grown 3.7% in December 2024, PTI reported.“Industry momentum further strengthened in December 2025 as…
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s rally as investor sentiment was buoyed by optimism over the landmark India-EU free trade agreement. The BSE Sensex advanced 487.20 points, or 0.60 per cent, to settle at 82,344.68, while the NSE Nifty rose 167.35 points, or 0.66 per cent, to…
Tempted by glittering returns of Bitcoin and Ethereum, lack of clarity is holding you back? Will Union Budget 2026 lend some clarity to the crypto framework in India?The Halwa ceremony is now over, final preparations are in place and all eyes are on what Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s red bahikhata is holding for various…
