Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting Union Budget 2026. This is her ninth consecutive budget speech under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is the first time in India’s fiscal history that the budget is being presented on a Sunday.
According to the Economic Survey 2026 tabled on Thursday, India’s economy is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in financial year 2026 (FY26) and 6.8-7.2 per cent in FY27. This growth is driven by regulatory reforms. It also relies on a strong macroeconomic base and a renewed call for private sector investment.
Here are the Live Updates of Union Budget 2026:
Budget 2026 Live: Education-To-Employment Standing Committee To Be Established
The government plans to set up a high-powered education-to-employment standing committee. This Committee will prioritise areas to optimise potential for growth in the services space. It will also review the impact of new technology like AI on the services sector.
Budget 2026 Live: 25 Crore People Have Moved Out Of Multi-Dimentional Poverty Over 10 Years
Close to 25 crore individuals have come out of multi-dimentional poverty over 10 years, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Budget 2026 Live: Foreigners Can Buy Indian Stocks Directly Now
Individual persons resident outside India will be permitted to invest in equity through the Portfolio Investment Scheme.
The individual limit is set to be increased from 5% to 10%. Additionally, the combined cap for all such investors is proposed to rise from 10% to 24%. This change would allow serious foreign individual investors to take more meaningful stakes in Indian companies. It could potentially improve price discovery, deepen shareholding, and support long-term capital formation.
Budget 2026 Live: Government To Review Foreign Exchange Management Framework
The government will introduce a market-making framework to promote the corporate bond market.
Budget 2026 Live: High-Level Committee On Banking For Viksit Bharat
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed setting up a high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat. This committee will comprehensively review the banking sector.
A proposal has been laid to restructure Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation). These are two of India’s premier, state-owned non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) under the Ministry of Power.
Budget 2026 Live: 7 High Speed Rail Corridors To Be Developed Between Cities As Growth Connectors
The government plans to develop seven high-speed rail corridors between cities as growth connectors. This includes Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Pune, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, Varanasi-Silliguri.
Budget 2026 Live: Proposal To Set Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to set up the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund. She proposed establishing dedicated Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These trusts will recycle assets of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Budget 2026 Live: In FY27, Capital Expenditure Set At Rs 12.2 Lakh Crore
For the Financial Year 2027, the capital expenditure has been set at Rs 12.2 lakh crore.
Budget 2026 Live: Public Capital Expenditure Gets Rs 11 Lakh Crore
Public capital expenditure has increased manifold to an allocation of 11 lakh crore in the Budget Estimates 26.
Budget 2026 Live: Continued Focus On Developing Infrastructre In Tier-2 And Tier-3 Cities
The government plans to continue to focus on developing infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Budget 2026 Live: Modular Courses To Train ‘Corporate Mitras’
The government plans to facilitate the creation of modular courses to train ‘Corporate Mitras’. Corporate Mitras to help MSMEs ensure regulatory compliance.
Budget 2026 Live
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a link between GeM (Government e-Marketplace) and TReDS (Trade Receivables electronic Discounting System). The purpose is for information sharing.
Also, to introduce TReDS receivables as asset-backed securities.
Budget 2026 Live: Section 87A Stands Between You And Zero Tax Year
Will the Finance Minister give the middle class a bigger zero tax window? Or will the government hold back after last year’s expensive overhaul? Section 87A is the quiet lever at the heart of the debate. It makes income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free under the new regime. It is not just about slab rates. The rebate wipes out tax after the calculation is done. Marginal relief prevents a sudden spike for someone who crosses the threshold by a few hundred rupees. Any shift here can redraw the line between who pays tax and who does not.
Can the government stretch Section 87A? Can it do so far enough that income up to fifteen lakh rupees lands in the zero tax zone? Some analysts say it is unlikely. Last year’s tweak of slabs and rebates was projected to cost nearly one lakh crore rupees in direct tax revenue. Fiscal consolidation is underway. There is a clear push to steer people into the new regime. Therefore, another large giveaway may be difficult.
One move towards a larger rebate risks blurring the new regime’s clean architecture. One move towards restraint risks angering a middle class battered by inflation and rising household costs.
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