2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: What Gets Cheaper, What Gets Costlier?

Union Budget 2026: Here is a breakdown of what may get cheaper and what's more likely to get costlier.

Likely to be Cheaper:

1. Indian-made Smartphones & TVs

2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

3. Cancer Drugs & Medical Devices

4. Home Loan Interest (Tax Relief)

Likely to be Costlier:

1. Imported Luxury Watches & Apparel

2. Foreign-built Cars (CBUs)

3. Premium Cosmetics & Perfumes

4. Gold & Silver Jewellery

For more Information: Union Budget 2026: From Luxury Watches To Every Day Essentials What Gets Cheaper And What Gets Costlier?

 

Sitharaman Budget Speech: The government on Sunday allocated ₹7.85 lakh crore to the defence sector in the Union Budget 2026, higher than the ₹6.81 lakh crore provided in FY26, signalling a continued focus on military readiness, modernisation, and personnel welfare.

According to Budget documents, the total allocation for the Ministry of Defence in FY27 covers defence services (revenue), capital outlay, defence pensions, and civil establishments under the ministry.

Union Budget 2026: Presenting her record ninth Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced significant changes in customs duties that would impact both consumers and industries across India. Taxes on 17 cancer drugs and medicines for seven rare diseases would be exempt, making them cheaper. Moreover, microwave ovens, aircraft parts, and foreign tour packages will also get cheaper, with the government reducing the TCS rate on the sale of overseas tour packages.

However, on the other hand, luxury goods, including watches and alcohol, are set to attract more taxes, making them dearer.

Union Budget 2026: Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Reaffirming our commitment to mental health and trauma care, there are no national institutes for mental health care in North India. We will therefore set up a NIMHANS 2.0 and also upgrade national mental health institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur as regional apex institutions," Sitharaman said while presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha today.

Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: 

• Revised ITR deadline extended to 31 March from 31 December.
• Interest from motor accident claims tribunals to natural persons exempt from income tax; no TDS applicable. 
• TCS on overseas tour packages cut to 2%, replacing the current 5% and 20%, with no amount threshold. 
• TCS under LRS for education and medical purposes reduced from 5% to 2%. 
• New scheme for small taxpayers with a rule-based automated process to obtain lower or nil TDS certificates, removing the need to approach assessing officers. 
• Depositories to accept Form 15G/15H from investors and share it directly with relevant companies, easing compliance for those holding securities across multiple firms.

Union Budget 2026: During her budget speech in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced continued exemptions on the basic Customs Duty exemption given to Capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion cells for batteries to those used for manufacturing. Lithium-ion cells for battery energy storage systems.

Union Budget 2026: The government on Sunday proposed an increase in the securities transaction tax (STT) on futures and options (F&O) trading to 0.05%, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27.

Union Budget Live Updates: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says,"...In FY2026-27, fiscal deficit is seen at 4.4% of the GDP. The fiscal deficit is at 4.3% of GDP in FY2027."

Union Budget 2026: To strengthen the higher education ecosystem and promote women-led entrepreneurship, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a series of proposals, including the construction of a girls' hostel in every district of the country and the setting up of community-owned 'She MARTS'.

While presenting the Union Budget 2026, Sitharaman said the government proposes several measures to establish new institutes, university townships, girls' hostels, and telescope infrastructure as part of increased investment in the higher education sector.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed One girls hostel in every district. 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. Agirls hosel will be built in every district of the country."

Union Budget 2026: The government has announced plans to develop seven high-speed rail corridors between major cities, positioning them as key growth connectors. 

The proposed corridors include Mumbai–Pune, Hyderabad–Pune, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri, aimed at improving connectivity, reducing travel time, and supporting economic expansion.

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed to support mineral-rich states such as Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated rare earth corridors. A scheme for rare earth permanent magnets was launched in 2025 November.

"We now propose to support the mineral-rich states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated rare earth corridors," announced Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27.

Union Budget 2026: Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says Rs 10,000 crore SME growth fund to create champions among MSMEs. FM proposes a three-pronged approach to help MSMEs grow – equity support via MSME growth fund FM also proposes to top up the self-reliant Indian Fund with Rs 2,000 crore

Union Budget 2026: Capital expenditure has been increased to ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY27, announced Sitharaman. “We shall continue to focus on developing infrastructure in cities with over 5 lakh population, that is tier 2, tier 3 cities, which have expanded to become growth centers. Public capital expenditure has increased manifold from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an all-occupation of Rs 11.2 lakh crore in BE 25-26. In this coming year, that is, financial year 2026-27, I propose to increase it to Rs 12.2 lakh crores to continue the momentum,” announced the Finance Minister.

Union Budget 2026: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament on Sunday, said the government has proposed targeted interventions in six areas to accelerate and sustain economic growth.

In her budget speech, the Finance Minister said the government remains committed to continuing reforms and ensuring steady momentum in economic policymaking.

"The reform express is running on its way and will maintain its momentum to help us fulfil our Kartavya," Sitharaman said while outlining the government's approach.

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.

- Focus on industry-led research
- Setting up training centres for semiconductors
- Aim: Strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and talent pipeline.

Union Budget 2026:  The BioPharma Strategy for Health Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation will strengthen India’s digital ecosystem in healthcare, said Sitharaman while delivering the Budget.

- Biopharma Shakti proposed with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years
- Aim: To develop India as a global bio-pharma hub
- Focus on research, innovation, and manufacturing capacity

Union Budget 2026: FM Nirmala Sitharaman says electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay increased to Rs 40,000 crore, Rare earth permanent scheme, Tamil Nadu to be supported for rare earth corridor among other states: FM proposes to support Orissa, Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu to establish critical mineral corridors.

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday rose in the Lok Sabha to present the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha. She proposed 10,000 crore for bio pharma manufacturing sector.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced an increase of about 9 per cent in capital expenditure for the coming financial year, raising the allocation to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says Rs 10,000 crore SME growth fund to create champions among MSMEs. FM proposes a three-pronged approach to help MSMEs grow – equity support via MSME growth fund FM also proposes to top up self-reliant Indian Fund with Rs 2,000 crore

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The budget is based on three kartavyas, or responsibilities, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech.

• Sustainable economic growth
• Resiliance towards global dynamics
• Prosperity of people 

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The government has focused on delivering reforms over mere rhetoric, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says to begin her budget speech. That's helped us deliver GDP growth rate of 7.2%, amid geopolitical crises, she says.

“India's economic trajectory marked by stability over 12 years. The stability has been displayed amid ongoing uncertainty,” the finance minister says. “The government has preferred reform over rhetoric and pursued far-reaching reforms.”

Union Budget 2026-27: The Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday approved the Union Budget 2026-27. This is the third budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.

Union Budget 2026-27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at Parliament to chair a crucial Cabinet meeting. 

This session, which began at 10:00 AM, serves as the final formal hurdle where the Union Cabinet reviews and officially approves the Budget documents. 

Following this green light, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will head to the Lok Sabha to deliver her record-breaking 9th consecutive Budget speech at 11:00 AM, making history as the first minister to present the national accounts on a Sunday.

Union Budget 2026-27: Domestic stock markets opened largely flat on Sunday during a special budget session, as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget at 11 am.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,333.75, registering a marginal gain of 13.10 points or 0.05 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 82,445.97, up by 176.19 points or 0.21 per cent.

This marks only the second time in the history of Indian stock markets that trading is taking place on a weekend for a special budget session. 

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: The Centre is expected to fast-track regulatory reforms by easing compliance to support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Economists see GDP growth at 6.5–7% in FY27, with inflation near RBI’s 4% target, while the Economic Survey projects growth of 6.8–7.2% in FY27 after 7.4% in FY26.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: India’s fiscal math faces pressure as GST and income tax relief measures rolled out last year to counter higher US tariffs have dented revenue inflows. Net tax collections for FY26 are estimated at Rs 28.3 lakh crore. To bridge the gap, the government is banking on Rs 50,000 crore from divestments and a potentially large RBI dividend of up to Rs 3 lakh crore. However, meeting Budget projections will require a sharp acceleration in tax receipts during the final four months of the fiscal year, noted DBS Bank’s Radhika Rao. Any revenue shortfall is expected to be addressed through prudent spending adjustments, without straying from the 4.4% fiscal deficit target.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Women entrepreneurs are not only asking for funding but also want capacity building. Their recommendations include expanded skill plans tailored to women founders and first-time entrepreneurs.

These would complement financial support with training in digital marketing, business planning, export readiness, and compliance—skills that are especially critical in a rapidly digitising economy.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the 13th Union Budget of the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on Sunday, as passengers at New Delhi Railway Station voiced their expectations from the upcoming budget. 

One passenger said he had high hopes for the Budget,  praising last year's exercise in which income tax slabs were revised. He said the Budget holds added significance amid the changing global order, as India is emerging as a soft power and strengthening its international relations. 

Another passenger, Shiv Mangal Rahi, a private-sector IT employee, said he hoped for further tax relief and improvements under the new tax regime.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: The Economic Survey 2025-26 expects India's real GDP growth rate at 6.8-7.2% in FY27, and the fiscal consolidation strategy to continue. This leaves little interest in the immediate fiscal calculus of Budget 2026.

Does this make it an unimportant exercise? Far from it. The correct way to read this year’s budget is in the proper context.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: The Union Budget 2026 is expected to focus on AI, given the outsized rhetoric that the technology is driving globally.

Bharat AI Mission: Reports suggest a potential ₹50,000 crore allocation to build India's AI ecosystem, focusing on sovereign compute capacity, AI chip design, and data centres.

Semiconductors: The industry is looking at the India Semiconductor Mission) with higher budgetary allocations for approved projects and faster disbursement mechanisms.

Deeptech: Startups are seeking a dedicated deeptech fund and tax holidays for innovation-led firms.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Here's a look at the key budget expectation of the auto sector:

FAME-III/PM E-DRIVE: With the current subsidy regime nearing its end, the industry expects an extension or a more robust PM E-DRIVE scheme with higher outlays for two-wheelers and commercial EVs.

GST Rationalisation: A major demand is to sync GST on all EV components (including batteries) to a uniform 5%, down from the current 18% on some parts, to reduce the "inverted duty structure" burden.

Hybrids: There is renewed pressure for concessional GST rates for hybrid vehicles to bridge the gap between ICE and EV.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE:  The government's rework of its rural jobs scheme has put a renewed focus on the agriculture sector, for the fine print and beyond.

PM-KISAN: There are strong expectations for the annual benefit to be increased from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 to boost rural disposable income.

Agritech Mission: Hopes for subsidised drones, AI-based soil testing, and digital marketplaces to modernise farming.

Post-Harvest Demands: Significant focus on building cold storage and warehousing to reduce perishable losses.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Middle-class salaried taxpayers may benefit from increased standard deduction (Rs 1 lakh) and adjustments in the new tax regime, potentially easing income tax for those earning up to Rs 15 lakh. Analysts say this could boost take-home salaries for millions of workers.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Imported luxury watches, designer clothes, high-end cars, and jewellery may get costlier due to customs duty revisions. Gold and silver prices could also rise if import duties are not eased, affecting buyers across the country.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Health insurance premiums may become slightly cheaper under expanded Section 80D deductions, while electric vehicles could see price relief if taxes on key components are lowered. These measures aim to make essential goods and sustainable transport more accessible.
 

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Smartphones, LED TVs and tablets assembled in India could see price cuts if duties on components are reduced. Affordable housing is also expected to get relief if home loan interest deduction limits rise from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, easing costs for middle-class buyers.

2026 Union Budget Minute-by-Minute LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present Budget 2026 today. Households, industry experts, and investors are watching closely to see which everyday items could become cheaper and which may get costlier under proposed fiscal measures.

Union Budget 2026: In the Union Budget 2025, the government allocated Rs 1.28 lakh crore to the education sector, reflecting a 6.22 per cent increase over the previous year. 

Vishal Anand, Founder and Pro Chancellor of Shoolini University, emphasised the need for sustained investment and global alignment in higher education to meet national aspirations.

“The vision of NEP 2020 and Viksit Bharat rests on scale, quality, and global relevance in higher education,” Anand said.

Union Budget 2026: Economists expect the budget to focus on cutting government debt to a range of 49% to 51% of gross domestic product, a metric closely watched by global investors, by 2031 from 56%. 

The Defence Ministry wants a 20% increase in military spending after a short but deadly conflict with arch rival Pakistan.

Union Budget 2026: While "sin" goods like cigarettes and imported luxuries may feel the pinch of higher taxes, essential tech and green investments could become more affordable. 

Analysts expect the Finance Minister to lower customs duties on critical components for mobile phones, EV batteries, and solar panels to boost the "Make in India" engine, whereas traditional revenue targets like tobacco and high-end imported electronics are set to become costlier. 

For many, the biggest "saving" won't be on a store shelf but in their paycheck, as the anticipated hike in the standard deduction and potential rationalization of gold duties could leave more disposable income for the average household.

Union Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman to present a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the year 2026-27.

1. Taxpayer Relief: The "big ask" is an increase in the Standard Deduction from ₹75,000 to ₹1,00,000 for salaried employees. There is also buzz about a potential joint taxation framework for married couples to simplify filings. 

2. The "Capex" Engine: Expect the government to maintain its aggressive infrastructure push with a projected 10–15% hike in Capital Expenditure, potentially reaching a record ₹12.5 lakh crore to fuel roads, railways, and urban projects. 

3. Manufacturing & AI: With global trade shifts, look for expanded PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes and new tax sops for AI, Robotics, and Semiconductors as India aims to become the world’s "intelligence-first" factory. 

4. Green Energy & EVs: Industry experts anticipate an extension of the PM E-DRIVE scheme (formerly FAME) and a push for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to help India hit its 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030. 

5. Rural & Agri-Reboot: To boost cooling domestic consumption, the Budget may increase the PM-Kisan payout and launch a National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds to protect farmers from climate risks. 

6. Fiscal Tightrope: Finance Minister Sitharaman is expected to target a fiscal deficit of 4.4% of GDP, signalling to global investors that India remains committed to fiscal discipline despite the push for growth.

Union Budget 2026: The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday in the Lok Sabha, expects the Indian economy to grow in the range of 6.8-7.2 per cent in the next financial year 2026-27.