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Smartphones and sports equipment may become cheaper, while cigarettes, alcohol, and futures and options trading will see higher costs, even as income tax slabs remain unchanged. The changes will come into effect from April 1

In her first Budget in 2019, Sitharaman replaced the decades-old leather briefcase with a traditional red bahi-khata, symbolising a shift in presentation style. Continuing the practice of recent years, the Union Budget 202627 will be paperless, marking the fifth consecutive digital Budget

Union Budget 2026 brings changes affecting household expenses and consumer choices. Smartphones, sports goods, select drugs, and capital equipment may get cheaper, while alcohol, tobacco, and stock futures trading become costlier

Union Budget 2026 boosts Indias defence spending to Rs 7.8 lakh crore, a 15 per cent jump year-on-year. Capital outlay for military hardware rises 21.8 per cent, with duty waivers on aircraft raw materials to support Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Principal of IDTR said tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, bearing the entire weight of the vehicle and playing a critical role in braking, stability and control

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget 2026, focusing on reforms, fiscal consolidation, high-speed rail corridors, rare earth and biopharma initiatives, and targeted tax relief for individuals and businesses

In a major relief move, Union Budget 2026 exempts income tax on interest earned from motor accident compensation claims. The decision removes TDS, ensuring victims and families receive the full awarded amount without deductions

Union Budget 2026 extends the Khelo India Mission for 10 years and boosts funding for sports goods manufacturing. The move aims to strengthen infrastructure, nurture talent, generate jobs, and prepare India for global events like the 2036 Olympics

Parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall in higher reaches and rain in the plains as night temperatures rose above freezing in Srinagar and other areas, while Gulmarg remained the coldest place. The weather department has forecast cloudy conditions with the possibility of light rain or snow over the next two days

Presenting the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the time limit for submitting revised income tax returns would be extended from December 31 to March 31, subject to the payment of a nominal fee

Sitharaman said the proposals are driven by Yuvashakti and anchored in what she described as the governments three kartavyas, aimed at accelerating growth while maintaining reform momentum

The Finance Minister announced the setting up of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years to promote innovation, scientific temper, and hands-on learning among students

Union Budget 2026 seeks to touch multiple segments of society - from farmers, students and MSMEs to commuters, investors and healthcare professionals - while keeping long-term growth firmly in focus

The changes, announced as part of her speech on direct taxes, aim to decriminalise certain procedural non-compliances, reduce the severity of punishments, make penalties more proportionate, and ease the compliance burden on taxpayers

The Finance Minister did not propose any revisions to Income Tax slabs or rates under either the old or new tax regime for FY 2026-27. The most important announcement for taxpayers is the rollout of the New Income Tax Act, 2025, which will replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, from April 1, 2026

While there is no revision in slabs, the Budget addresses several long-standing concerns of middle-class taxpayers through targeted relief measures, including a reduction in TCS rates and the introduction of new dividend-related deductions

Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the initiative is aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for biopharma and biosimilars, strengthening domestic capabilities and boosting Indias global competitiveness in high-value pharmaceutical manufacturing

Sitharaman said the new law will replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961, with all changes announced in the current Budget being incorporated into the fresh legislation

Israeli air strikes killed at least 32 people, including women and children, across Gaza on Saturday, according to the territorys civil defence agency. The attacks targeted residential buildings, shelters and a police station, despite a ceasefire entering its second phase earlier this month

The blast happened a day before a planned naval drill by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. The US military has warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait, on which Bandar Abbas sits

The US Federal Government went into a partial shutdown early on Saturday (local time), hours after the US Senate met a last-minute deadline to approve a revised package of government-funding bills

But Saturday`s order comes as opposition to such tactics has grown, particularly in Minnesota`s Twin Cities region

Earlier in January, India has repatriated a Pakistani national, allegedly imprisoned in India, via the Attari-Wagah border, Pakistan High Commission in India said

As per the statement, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 20 km. The earthquake`s latitude was reported to be 24.85 North, and the longitude was reported to be 92.07 East

Despite the relatively shorter duration, Sitharaman continues to hold the distinction of delivering the longest Budget speech in Indian parliamentary history

UPI transactions in January surged 28 percent year-on-year to 21.70 billion, with transaction value rising 21 percent to Rs 28.33 lakh crore. Daily transactions averaged 700 million, driven by strong growth in person-to-merchant payments and widespread QR adoption

The move aims to strengthen urban financing and promote greater investment in local infrastructure. In her ninth consecutive Union Budget, Sitharaman also announced the restructuring of public sector financial institutions

The second phase will focus on producing equipment and materials, developing full-stack Indian intellectual property, and enhancing the semiconductor ecosystem. Sitharaman also highlighted plans for industry-led research and training centres to develop advanced technology and a skilled workforce

Following the Cabinets nod, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Budget in the Lok Sabha, marking her ninth consecutive Budget presentationa record in itself

According to the IMD, the rainfall marks the onset of an active weather phase, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hail expected to impact several parts of north and central India over the course of the day

Ahead of the crucial address, Sitharaman was seen carrying her now-familiar digital bahi-khataa tablet wrapped in a red cloth embossed with the national emblemcontinuing a tradition she has followed since moving away from the colonial-era briefcase

Police seized 520 kg of ganja and arrested nine people from Odisha and Maharashtra, uncovering a well-planned supply chain that used multiple routes and local contacts to move drugs across state lines

With the presentation of the Union Budget for 2026, Sitharaman becomes the first finance minister in independent India to deliver nine budgets in an unbroken sequence

Oil marketing companies have increased the price of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 49, effective February 1, impacting hotels, restaurants and other commercial users. In Delhi, the revised price stands at Rs 1,740.50. However, prices of 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinders remain unchanged, continuing relief for household consumers

After his marathon clash with Sinner, there will be many rooting for the Serb, but itll take another humongous effort to beat Alcaraz in a best of five sets encounter

An official release said more than 21 per cent of the countrys total wetland area is in Gujarat, the highest among all states. Gujarats wetlands are spread over approximately 3.5 million hectares, accounting for 17.8 per cent of the states total geographical area, it added

The accused, identified as Jala Sai Ram Reddy, a resident of Telanganas Karimnagar district, was apprehended by the SR Nagar police following a complaint registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

BJP demands an SC-monitored probe into West Bengal factory blaze, calls it man-made disaster; questions inaction by factory CEO, alleges close ties to CM saved him

OHara died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to a statement from her agency, Creative Artists Agency. Further details were not immediately available

Epstein claimed in July 2013 that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates asked one of his advisers to provide him with medicine to treat sexually transmitted diseases, the consequences of sex with Russian girls

Martyn Walker stole more than Rs 35,00,000 from his mother with dementia to pay for his Lego obsession; the Norwich Crown Court was informed that Walker had tried to help with managing his mothers finances after she was placed in a care facility in 2022.

Veteran mahjong players and teachers share their views on Bombays current craze for the game

From early Vedic times, the sun is also tied to humanity and death. Surya has two sons who frame the human condition

Uhm, Lobo Lobo, any reason why youre dressed with this coloured headgear?

Maharashtra has formed an SIT led by senior officer Yashasvi Yadav to probe a fake birth certificate racket exploiting the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal in Yavatmal and Jalgaon districts. Forged documents sold via digital means pose risks to national security, IDs, and government schemes

Indias first collaborative Animal Welfare Funding Circle was launched at the India Animal Welfare Forum in Mumbai, backed by Rs 14 crore from philanthropies. The event highlighted that animal welfare gets only 1.5 per cent of CSR funds

Ajit Pawar, who was one of the sitting deputy chief ministers of Maharashtra, was killed when the Learjet 45 he was travelling in crashed in Baramati on Wednesday. The merger discussions, led by Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil, had been underway for the past four months

CPI MP P. Kumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the Economic Surveys call to re-examine the RTI Act, warning that any dilution would weaken transparency and democratic accountability and could erode public trust

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for zero tolerance toward terrorism and stronger global cooperation while addressing the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting, highlighting shared security concerns and regional challenges including Gaza

Prime Minister Modi received Arab foreign ministers ahead of the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting, emphasizing deeper cooperation in trade, energy, and technology, and reaffirming support for Palestine. Indias EAM Jaishankar also held talks with Omans foreign minister on trade and critical minerals