Category: Economy

The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed an increase in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options (F&O) contracts, aimed at addressing excessive speculation in the derivatives market. Key Changes in STT Rationale Behind the Move Citing a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) study, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman noted that nearly 90% of participants in the F&O segment incur losses, highlighting the risks faced by retail investors. Read More …

The Union Budget 2026–27 places a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies as key enablers of inclusive growth, capacity building and job creation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Budget in Parliament on February 1. AI Push in Agriculture A major announcement in the agriculture sector is the proposed launch of ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources), a multilingual, AI-powered platform aimed at Read More …

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27, an unusual historical first drew attention — the Budget was tabled on a Sunday. While Budgets have occasionally been presented on weekends in the past, this marks the first Sunday presentation in India’s fiscal history. Why This Is Unprecedented Historically, governments have avoided presenting the Union Budget on Sundays, often adjusting dates when February 1 or February 28 fell on Read More …

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited (YIL), marking a key milestone in the company’s transformation into a profit-making defence public sector undertaking (DPSU). The move enhances YIL’s financial and operational autonomy and is expected to accelerate its growth in defence manufacturing and exports. Strong Financial and Export Performance Yantra India Limited has recorded significant growth in sales and exports since Read More …

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2026 speech on February 1, 2026, announced that the Central Government has accepted the recommendations of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (16th FC). The Commission has recommended continuation of 41% vertical devolution of the divisible tax pool to States, a formula that has been in place since 2021. ₹1.4 Lakh Crore Finance Commission Grants for States As per the recommendations, the Centre Read More …

Here are the key highlights of the Union Budget 2026–27 presented by the Finance Minister on 1 February 2026: 1. Fiscal and Budget Estimates 2. Manufacturing & Strategic Sectors 3. Infrastructure & Connectivity 4. Education, Skilling & Health 5. Agriculture & Farmer Welfare 6. Direct & Indirect Tax Proposals 7. Special Regional Focus

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) during the recent visit of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission to India. According to the Ministry of Finance, the primary objective of the MoU is to facilitate the formal recognition of the Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL) and other RBI-regulated Read More …

The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched ‘CHAKRA’, a Centre of Excellence (CoE) aimed at financing sunrise sectors that are critical to India’s long-term economic transformation. The Centre was inaugurated by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, and will function as a knowledge-driven platform to facilitate funding for next-generation, technology-led and sustainability-focused industries. Focus Areas CHAKRA will concentrate on eight key sunrise sectors: These sectors are emerging as Read More …

The Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Inclusion Index (RBI-FI Index), launched in 2021, continues to track India’s progress in expanding access to formal financial services across the country. The index captures financial inclusion across multiple sectors, including banking, investment, insurance, postal and pension services. About the RBI-FI Index The FI Index is based on 97 indicators and measures financial inclusion across three key dimensions: These dimensions are reflected through three Read More …

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has been ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026, reaffirming its position as one of India’s leading institutions in management education. Established in 1963, IIFT is a Deemed-to-be University under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. The institute is recognised as a premier centre for international trade and business education, with a strong focus on trade policy, global commerce Read More …

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has operationalised a new web-based portal — PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) for the mandated monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects with a project cost of ₹150 crore and above. The portal replaces the earlier OCMS-2006 (Online Computerized Monitoring System). ‘One Data, One Entry’ ApproachIn line with the government’s principle of “one data, one entry”, PAIMANA has been Read More …

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted a Committee of Investment Experts for Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) to review, recommend and modernise the investment framework under the National Pension System (NPS). Mandate and ObjectiveSAARG has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of existing NPS investment guidelines, benchmarking them against leading global pension systems as well as the evolving Indian investment ecosystem. The key Read More …

India and the European Union on 27 January jointly announced the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at the 16th India–EU Summit, marking a major breakthrough in economic ties between the two strategic partners. Market Access and Tariff LiberalisationUnder the agreement, India has secured preferential access to EU markets across 97% of tariff lines, covering 99.5% of trade value. In return, India will offer 92.1% of its tariff Read More …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card during an event in Kerala on January 23, 2026, marking a significant step towards deepening financial inclusion for street vendors across the country. About the PM SVANidhi Credit CardThe card issued under the scheme will be a RuPay retail (personal) credit card with revolving credit facilities. It will be offered by public and private sector banks, along Read More …

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to FY 2030–31, along with the extension of government funding support for promotional and developmental activities and gap funding. About Atal Pension Yojana The Atal Pension Yojana was launched on 9 May 2015 with the objective of providing old-age income security, particularly to workers in the unorganised sector who often lack formal pension coverage. Key Features Read More …