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
01 February,2026 05:00 PM IST | Tarun VermaIn 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 04:54 PM ISTUnion 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
01 February,2026 04:50 PM ISTUnion Budget 2026 boosts India’s 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
01 February,2026 04:23 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentPrincipal 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
01 February,2026 04:17 PM IST | Archana DahiwalFinance 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
01 February,2026 04:00 PM ISTIn 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
01 February,2026 03:59 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentUnion 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
01 February,2026 03:53 PM IST | mid-day online correspondentParts 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 | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe 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 IST | MumbaiThe 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 | Mumbai | 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 IST | New DelhiPresenting 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 | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSitharaman 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 | ANIADVERTISEMENT
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
-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")
