Union Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: New Income Tax Act to come into effect from April 1, 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget 2026–27 in Parliament today, marking a record ninth consecutive budget of her tenure. The budget speech will start at 11 a.m. in the Lok Sabha as part of the ongoing Budget Session.

This is the first time an Indian finance minister will be delivering nine back-to-back Union Budgets, underlining continuity in the government’s economic leadership since 2019. Along with the budget, Sitharaman is also tabling key fiscal documents under the FRBM Act and is set to introduce the Finance Bill, 2026.

The budget follows the presentation of the Economic Survey 2025–26 and is expected to outline the government’s roadmap on growth, fiscal management, and key sectoral priorities. Notably, stock markets are open today despite it being a Sunday, enabling real-time reaction to budget announcements.

Feb 01, 2026 12:21 IST
New freight corridor, waterways to boost Odisha’s industrial connectivity
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced major infrastructure initiatives with a strong focus on Odisha, aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable movement of cargo and strengthening logistics connectivity. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 12:19 IST
Union Budget 2026–27: FM Sitharaman emphasises inclusive, youth-driven growth
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday presented the Union Budget 2026–27, underlining the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and a development model driven by youth participation. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 12:18 IST
Union Budget 2026–27: Centre announces Rare-Earth Corridors in Odisha
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the establishment of dedicated rare-earth corridors in mineral-rich states, including Odisha, as part of the Union Budget 2026–27, with the aim of strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing dependence on imports. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 12:15 IST
50% capacity will be increased in district hospitals
#UnionBudget2026 big updates:

- 50% capacity will be increased in district hospitals by establishing emergency and trauma care centres

- Net tax receipts estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore, Budget size at Rs 53.5 lakh crore

- A six-month foreign asset disclosure scheme for small… pic.twitter.com/F175pHMxfv
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 12:12 IST
New Income Tax Act to come into effect from April 1, 2026
#UnionBudget2026 big updates:

- New Income Tax Act to come into effect from April 1, 2026

- TCS rate to be reduced for pursuing education and health purposes - from 5% to 2%#UnionBudget2026#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVpic.twitter.com/IOgMjMQnjd
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 12:07 IST
Interest awarded by motor accident claims tribunals to be exempt from income tax
Fiscal Deficit estimated at 4.4% of GDP and more...#UnionBudget2026 | Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, "I propose that any interest awarded by the motor accident claims tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax and any TDS on this account will be done away… pic.twitter.com/hKiAX7ONKw
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 12:01 IST
A girls hostel will be built in every district of the country: FM Sitharaman
#UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says,"...I propose multiple steps towards setting up new institutes, University townships, girls hostel and telescope infrastructure facilities in investment in higher education sector. A girls hostel will be built in… pic.twitter.com/T34REQxV21
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:59 IST
FM Sitharaman emphasises inclusive, youth-driven growth
Union Budget 2026-27: FM Sitharaman emphasises inclusive, youth-driven growth#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVhttps://t.co/DVO4HzxTyM
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:58 IST
‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee proposed
#UnionBudget2026 | Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposes to set up a High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee to recommend measures that focus on the Services Sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat.

This will make us a global leader in services,… pic.twitter.com/Tp5D1jYdmv
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:50 IST
Rs 10,000 cr MSME growth fund to create future champions
#UnionBudget2026 big updates:

India to set up Textile Parks, Mahatma Gandhi Gram Samaj initiative to support Khadi

To constitute high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat

To develop 7 high-speed rail corridors between cities as growth connectors

Will focus now on Tier… pic.twitter.com/fvcUe8Ee1X
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:45 IST
National waterways 5 in Odisha to link mineral and industrial hubs
#UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "To promote environmentally sustainable movement of cargo, I propose to establish new dedicated freight corridors connecting Dankuni in the east to Surat in the west, operational 20 new waterways over the next 5… pic.twitter.com/e2i5prM5yi
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:41 IST
FM Sitharaman proposes Rs 20,000-crore outlay for Carbon Capture Utilisation
#UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposes an outlay of Rs 20,000 crores over the next 5 years in Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies to scale up and achieve higher readiness levels in end-use applications across#Budget2026…
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:40 IST
Semiconductor Mission 2.0 proposed
#UnionBudget2026 | ISM 2.0, Semiconductor Mission 2.0 proposed#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVpic.twitter.com/ZtgCCbGJbo
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:38 IST
FM Sitharaman announces Rs 12.2 lakh crore capital expenditure
#UnionBudget2026 | Public capital expenditure has increased manifold to an allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore. In this coming year, I propose capital expenditure at Rs 12.2 lakh crore: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTV
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:37 IST
Rare earth corridors in several states, including Odisha
#UnionBudget2026 | Rare earth corridors in several states, including #Odisha#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVpic.twitter.com/wlysKV5K1Q
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:35 IST
We are inspired by 3 kartavya: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
#UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Given that this is the first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, we are inspired by 3 kartavya.

First kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness and… pic.twitter.com/7MZURFOWVZ
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:34 IST
India must also remain deeply integrated with global markets: Nirmala Sitharaman
#WATCH | #UnionBudget2026 | Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Today, we face an external environment in which trade and multilateralism are in imperent and access to resources and supply chains are disrupted. New technologies are transforming production systems while sharply… pic.twitter.com/oTXN7q3SOR
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:33 IST
FM Sitharaman proposed Bio Pharma Shakti scheme with Rs 10,000-crore outlay
Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says,"...To develop India as a global bio-pharma manufacturing hub, I propose Bio Pharma Shakti with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crores over the next 5 years. This will build an ecosystem for domestic… pic.twitter.com/GSkyzviNHX
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:30 IST
We will launch India Semiconductor Mission 2.0: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
#UnionBudget2026 | Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2026-2027; says, “We will launch India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and also focus on industry-led research and training centres to develop tech and skilled workforce.”

-In FY27 capital expenditure set at… pic.twitter.com/DsJWoifrVL
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:29 IST
Proposal to support mineral rich states
"We propose to support mineral rich states of #Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu to establish rare earth corridors" : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget#UnionBudget2026#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVpic.twitter.com/XtrxygsJny
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:25 IST
To accelerate, sustain economic growth FM Sitharaman proposed interventions in six areas
Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says," To accelerate and sustain economic growth, I propose interventions in six areas -Scaling up manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors; Rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors; Creating champion MSMEs;… pic.twitter.com/UCMYKvzgcK
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:23 IST
Aatmanirbharta as the lodestar...
#UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Keeping Aatmanirbharta as a lodestar, we have built domestic manufacturing capacity, energy security and reduced critical import dependencies.#UnionBudget2026#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTVpic.twitter.com/RILyvMKahB
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:22 IST
Aatmanirbharta cited as guiding principle of economic policy
#WATCH | #UnionBudget2026 | Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Keeping Aatmanirbharta as a lodestar, we have built domestic manufacturing capacity, energy security and reduced critical import dependencies. Simultaneously, we have ensured that citizens benefit from every action of… pic.twitter.com/jWASNzkVWo
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:20 IST
We pursued far-reaching structural reforms: Nirmala Sitharaman
Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says,"We have pursued far-reaching structural reforms. Fiscal prudence and monetary stability, while maintaining a strong thrust on public investment, keeping self-reliance as a pillar. We have built… pic.twitter.com/ulJdfJ3DX8
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:19 IST
This is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan: FM Sitharaman
This is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan... The government has undertaken comprehensive reforms for accelerating growth and boosting productivity: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman#UnionBudget2026#Budget2026#NirmalaSitharaman#UnionBudgetWithOTV
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:18 IST
Country's economic trajectory has been marked by stability, moderate inflation...: FM Sitharaman
Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says," Since we assumed office 12 years ago, the country's economic trajectory has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation. This is the result of conscious… pic.twitter.com/TlKY0uM8GM
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:13 IST
Union Budget 2026–27 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2026-2027; says:

-India has displayed stability amidst ongoing uncertainty
-Government has preferred reform over rhetoric
-Budget 2026 is 'Yuva Shakti' driven
-India must remain deeply integrated with global markets…
— OTV (@otvnews) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:12 IST
Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents her ninth consecutive Union Budget
Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents her ninth consecutive Union Budget

Source: Sansad TV pic.twitter.com/lKDO9Psphw
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:07 IST
Physical copies of Union Budget brought to Parliament
#UnionBudget2026 | Physical copies of Union Budget 2026-27 brought to Parliament pic.twitter.com/vj3YgvG76y
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 11:05 IST
India has the lowest inflation rate in the world today: BJP MP Baijayant Panda
#WATCH | On Union Budget 2026-27, BJP MP Baijayant Panda says, "If you see from the past 11 years, the Opposition has been saying only one thing. Today, India has the lowest inflation rate in the world. Our economy ranks fourth in the world. It is the fastest-growing economy. I… pic.twitter.com/P1HI27QXBa
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 10:49 IST
I don't have much expectations: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
#WATCH | On #UnionBudget2026, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "I don't have much expectations, but let's see." pic.twitter.com/S6bweRs3Ss
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 10:48 IST
Railways is the growth engine of modern India: Union MoS Railways, V. Somanna
#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget, Union MoS Railways, V. Somanna says,"...Railways is the growth engine of modern India, it is the strong pillar of Viksit Bharat. PM Modi aims to focus on every sector...This will be an extraordinary Budget..." pic.twitter.com/bDZVGSPAAE
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:53 IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary arrive at Parliament
#WATCH | #UnionBudget2026 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with their team, arrive at the Parliament. pic.twitter.com/UBv1ZhfaoE
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:51 IST
Prez Murmu feeds FM Nirmala Sitharaman customary 'dahi-cheeni'
#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu feeds Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the customary 'dahi-cheeni' (curd and sugar) ahead of her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation. pic.twitter.com/WouiznFEMr
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:33 IST
FM Sitharaman calls on President Droupadi Murmu ahead of presenting Union Budget
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team, calls on President Droupadi Murmu before presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget pic.twitter.com/96H5JV5obv
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:31 IST
Anxious to see schemes to generate more jobs for India's youth: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor
#WATCH | Delhi: On #UnionBudget2026, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "We are all looking forward to hearing what the Finance Minister has to tell us. The Economic Survey projects good economic growth...Whether that growth is going to be accompanied by jobs? Jobless growth… pic.twitter.com/u44ZtgUj6K
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:22 IST
Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Rashtrapati Bhawan to call on President Droupadi Murmu
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Rashtrapati Bhawan to call on President Droupadi Murmu before presenting her ninth Union Budget pic.twitter.com/bguilkPGL5
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:16 IST
Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman with Budget tablet outside the Ministry of Finance
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team, with the Budget tablet outside the Ministry of Finance.

She will present the #UnionBudget2026 today at around 11 AM in Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/x5oPMFlWbD
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 09:07 IST
Union Budget expected to focus on AI, digital infrastructure and investment growth
Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure are expected to remain key focus areas in the upcoming Union Budget, with the government likely to announce major measures to boost startups and innovation. Strengthening digital capabilities is seen as central to driving long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 09:00 IST
Expectations of taxpayers ahead of Union Budget
As the Union Budget approaches, taxpayers, especially salaried individuals and retirees, are looking for further relief and simplification in the income tax system. Several expectations have emerged, particularly around tax slabs, deductions, and incentives under the new tax regime. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 08:57 IST
Odisha women entrepreneurs share Budget expectations
#WATCH | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present #UnionBudget2026 in Parliament today. In Odisha, women entrepreneurs share their Budget expectations.

Jajpur's Maitri says, "I expect that the essential commodities, a two-stove gas burner, for instance, are really… pic.twitter.com/uul1PuBT9l
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 08:55 IST
FM Nirmala Sitharaman set to present ninth consecutive Union Budget
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 in Parliament today,  creating history by delivering her ninth consecutive budget. With this, she will become the first finance minister in India to achieve this milestone, reflecting continuity in economic leadership since she assumed office in 2019. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 08:54 IST
Railways likely to get higher allocation, focus on safety and new trains
The railway sector is expected to receive increased budgetary allocation in the upcoming Union Budget, with indications pointing to a 5–6 per cent rise in overall railway spending. The focus is likely to remain on infrastructure expansion, safety upgrades, and modernisation of passenger services. Read More...



Feb 01, 2026 08:53 IST
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Kartavya Bhawan in Delhi
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Kartavya Bhawan https://t.co/2qkXBp8l5hpic.twitter.com/bgI5zPY1ZO
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 08:52 IST
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves residence for Ministry of Finance
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves from her residence for the Ministry of Finance, ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 today pic.twitter.com/OZWgDfWZxv
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026



Feb 01, 2026 08:51 IST
MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary arrives at Ministry of Finance
#WATCH | Delhi: MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary arrives at Ministry of Finance. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the #UnionBudget2026 today in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/23iSvFLBmi
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026