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 2026–27 will be paperless, marking the fifth consecutive digital Budget
01 February,2026 03:47 PM ISTParts 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
01 February,2026 03:41 PM IST | PTIPresenting 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
01 February,2026 03:40 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentSitharaman said the proposals are driven by "Yuvashakti" and anchored in what she described as the government’s "three kartavyas", aimed at accelerating growth while maintaining reform momentum
01 February,2026 03:40 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentThe 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
01 February,2026 03:39 PM IST | Aditi AlurkarUnion 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
01 February,2026 03:39 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentUnion Budget 2026 eases costs on overseas travel, education, green tech and medicines, while tightening penalties on tax misreporting and raising levies on derivatives trading
01 February,2026 03:38 PM ISTThe 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
01 February,2026 03:38 PM ISTThe 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
01 February,2026 03:38 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentWhile 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
01 February,2026 03:37 PM ISTPresenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the initiative is aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for biopharma and biosimilars, strengthening domestic capabilities and boosting India’s global competitiveness in high-value pharmaceutical manufacturing
01 February,2026 03:36 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentUnion Budget 2026 brings key indirect tax changes impacting daily life. Smartphones and sports equipment may get cheaper, while cigarettes, alcohol, and futures and options trading will turn costlier despite unchanged income tax slabs
01 February,2026 03:27 PM IST | Tarun VermaSitharaman 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
01 February,2026 03:24 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for zero tolerance toward terrorism and stronger global cooperation while addressing the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, highlighting shared security concerns and regional challenges including Gaza
01 February,2026 02:36 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe 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
01 February,2026 02:17 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIEarlier in January, India has repatriated a Pakistani national, allegedly imprisoned in India, via the Attari-Wagah border, Pakistan High Commission in India said
01 February,2026 02:06 PM IST | Attari | ANIDespite the relatively shorter duration, Sitharaman continues to hold the distinction of delivering the longest Budget speech in Indian parliamentary history
01 February,2026 01:55 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUPI 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
01 February,2026 01:25 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSSpeaking during the presentation, Sitharaman said the government is choosing the path of reforms over rhetoric and reaffirmed its commitment to steps aimed at making India a Viksit Bharat
01 February,2026 01:03 PM IST | New DelhiThe 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
01 February,2026 12:46 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe 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
01 February,2026 12:44 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
The U.S. Justice Department has released millions of pages of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, marking the largest public disclosure tied to the case to date. The newly unsealed files reference numerous high-profile figures and include claims recorded in complaints, emails, and internal summaries. Officials emphasise that many of the statements contained in the documents are unverified, uncorroborated, and do not constitute evidence or findings of wrongdoing.
Israeli air strikes killed at least 32 people, including women and children, across Gaza on Saturday, according to the territory’s civil defence agency. The attacks targeted residential buildings, shelters and a police station, despite a ceasefire entering its second phase earlier this month
01 February,2026 02:48 PM IST | Gaza City, Palestinian Territories | AFPThe 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
But Saturday's order comes as opposition to such tactics has grown, particularly in Minnesota's Twin Cities region
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Amit Shah made the remarks via video link while inaugurating the Shri Motibhai R Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School and Sagar Organic Plant at Boriyavi village in Mehsana district, Gujarat
13 November,2025 09:36 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentMove to ease traffic congestion near Pune University, along Ganeshkhind Road
Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, on the occasion, here are some of the best messages and wishes you can share this Janmashtami with your family and friends-
“Uhm, Lobo Lobo, any reason why you’re dressed with this coloured headgear?”
01 February,2026 06:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rahul da CunhaADVERTISEMENT
-1769930465797_d.png "UPI transactions surge 28 percent at 21.70 billion in Jan: NPCI")
-1769859114270_d.png "57 'terrorists' killed in Balochistan after attacks on security forces")
-1769863819357_d.png "Modi reaffirms support for Palestine at Arab Foreign Ministers’ gathering")
