News for 'Budget of Finance'

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India's state-level fiscal rules have improved headline deficits, but the gains are fragile and uneven with major states still grappling with high debt levels, a World Bank report submitted to the 16th Finance Commission (FC) said. According to the report, despite nearly two decades of adoption of fiscal responsibility laws (FRLs), debt levels have not converged.

Sunetra Pawar becomes Maharashtra's first woman deputy CM

Sunetra Pawar becomes Maharashtra's first woman deputy CM

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as Maharashtra's first woman deputy Chief Minister after being elected as the leader of the NCP legislature wing.

Post GST cut, auto retail sales rose 18% in Jan

Post GST cut, auto retail sales rose 18% in Jan

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Automobile retail sales rose nearly 18 per cent year-on-year to over 27 lakh units in January, led by continued post-GST momentum, healthy rural cash flows on the back of harvest and weddings, and sustained demand visibility across freight, dealer's body FADA said on Tuesday.

RBI pauses rate cuts, retains interest rate at 5.25%

RBI pauses rate cuts, retains interest rate at 5.25%

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

After a 25 basis point rate cut in December, the RBI on Friday decided to pause on the policy rate front amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Market sentiment is likely to remain cautious as investors position themselves for the upcoming Union Budget and the US Fed's interest rate decision, where expectations are muted.

3.84 Trillion Spent On These Weapons...

3.84 Trillion Spent On These Weapons...

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

The largest tranche came in July, in the wake of Operation Sindoor, with the DAC according acceptance of necessity -- or initial approval -- for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately 1.05 trillion through indigenous sourcing.

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Building on last year's clearance of 172K cases, I-T department is pushing for faster appeal disposals, penalty reforms and system-driven processes to curb litigation and boost tax certainty.

V-Day RomCom: Why 'Save The Money' Is The Real Scam

V-Day RomCom: Why 'Save The Money' Is The Real Scam

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

You can compound money. You cannot compound being young and stupidly in love. So? 'Don't Play Small' this Valentine's Day

'Dhurandhar Has Changed The Landscape Of Cinema'

'Dhurandhar Has Changed The Landscape Of Cinema'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Established filmmakers want to go with the sequels of earlier hit films like Housefull 5 or Mastiii 4. They don't want to come up with fresh ideas. This is pure laziness.'

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The value of the rupee, which has slipped to the 92 per dollar mark, does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

Economic Survey 2026: India must run marathon and sprint simultaneously

Economic Survey 2026: India must run marathon and sprint simultaneously

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

According to the Economic Survey 2026, the appropriate stance for 2026 is therefore one of strategic sobriety rather than defensive pessimism.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

Q3 earnings, global trends to drive stock markets this week

Q3 earnings, global trends to drive stock markets this week

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Trading pattern in the stock market this week will largely depend on the ongoing Q3 earnings announcement from corporates, global trends, and foreign fund movement, analysts said. Moreover, geopolitical developments and any update on trade negotiations would also be keenly tracked by investors, experts noted.

Automobile retail sales up 7.71% at 2,81,61,228 units in 2025: FADA

Automobile retail sales up 7.71% at 2,81,61,228 units in 2025: FADA

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Retail sales of vehicles across categories in India in 2025 grew by 7.71 per cent at 2,81,61,228 units as compared to 2,61,45,445 in 2024, with GST 2.0 helping overcome a subdued start to the year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said on Tuesday.

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has sought urgent steps to clear the huge backlog of income-tax appeals, simplify tax deducted at source (TDS) compliance, and ensure tax neutrality for fast-track demergers, during its consultation with Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.

Why 2026 Is Crucial Year For India's Military

Why 2026 Is Crucial Year For India's Military

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'The tools of warfare are changing. The MoD must deepen its engagement with technology thinkers that can present compelling visions of where warfare may be heading.'

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

India, the world's fourth largest economy, is set to maintain the 'goldilocks' phase with tailwinds of good growth, low inflation and robust banking performance as well as reform initiatives poised to sustain the economic pace witnessed during 2025.

'Trapped in Payday-Loan Debt! Help'

'Trapped in Payday-Loan Debt! Help'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Weaker Rupee: Plan Overseas Goals

Weaker Rupee: Plan Overseas Goals

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

Investors must account for currency depreciation in their financial plans and use instruments that can cushion the erosion in purchasing power.

ITR forms under new Income Tax Act to be notified prior to FY28: Govt

ITR forms under new Income Tax Act to be notified prior to FY28: Govt

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

The new income tax returns (ITR) form based on the I-T Act, 2025, will be notified prior to 2027-28 fiscal year, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Monday. The CBDT committee on simplification of ITR forms is carrying out extensive consultations with tax experts, institutional bodies, and field formations of the I-T Department, he said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Integrated Customs platform on cards in digitisation push

Integrated Customs platform on cards in digitisation push

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

To digitise Customs processes, the Union finance ministry is planning to integrate the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), Risk Management System (RMS), and Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System (ICES) into a single unified national Customs platform, according to government sources.

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that raising the FDI limit to 100 per cent in the insurance sector will help attract more capital, improve competition and increase insurance penetration by making policies more affordable.

PM Internship Scheme Sees Lower Take-Up

PM Internship Scheme Sees Lower Take-Up

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

While 28,141 applicants accepted internship in round one, in the second phase this was down to 24,638.

MCA Rethinks PM Internship Scheme

MCA Rethinks PM Internship Scheme

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

With less than six months left for this financial year and poor response from applicants, launching the scheme this year is unlikely.

AstroSpeak: Your Predictions For 2026

AstroSpeak: Your Predictions For 2026

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla, who is following in the footsteps of his famed astrologer father, the late Bejan Daruwalla, helps you navigate the Naya Saal.

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the country's richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led government's feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on Sunday.

MGNREGA bulldozed, right to work demolished: Sonia

MGNREGA bulldozed, right to work demolished: Sonia

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

This comes a day after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the MGNREGA and has a provision for 125 days of wage employment for rural workers.

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Even if D K Shivakumar wanted to oust Siddaramaiah, whose support would he take?
The shrewd politician that he is, Siddaramaiah figured his rival had no option but to lump it, points out Aditi Phadnis.

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

India's $280-billion IT industry heads into 2026, balancing visa-related headwinds and global trade uncertainty against its biggest-ever push into artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of global capability centres (GCCs). Heightened scrutiny of the US H-1B visa programme - including a proposed $100,000 fee for new visas and concerns over a potential 25 per cent outsourcing tax - has complicated cross-border delivery for Indian firms, even as companies accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on onsite staffing.

Cabinet OKs Private Entry into Nuclear Power

Cabinet OKs Private Entry into Nuclear Power

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Bill is likely to pave the way for amending two existing legislations -- the Atomic Energy Act 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010.

Budget, Finance Bill passed

Budget, Finance Bill passed

Rediff.com24 Aug 2004

The government and the Opposition on Tuesday agreed on the passage of this year's General Budget and the Finance Bill without any discussion in Parliament in view of the impasse over National Democratic Aliiance's demand for removal of 'tainted' mini

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Indian business houses have urged the government to make demergers tax-neutral, particularly in cases involving transfer of investments in associate companies with 25 per cent or more shareholding, under the new Income Tax Act. This may possibly help some companies planning to go public, according to a source.

'Govt Has Executed A Commendable Task'

'Govt Has Executed A Commendable Task'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

'...not merely in managing fiscal mathematics, but in demonstrating conservatism and prudence within that framework.' 'Looking forward, we believe sufficient growth drivers exist -- ranging from government reforms to revival in consumption to favourable monsoons. Numerous factors support the Indian economy.'

'People Knew Manmohan Singh Had No Vested Interest'

'People Knew Manmohan Singh Had No Vested Interest'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

'Maybe he was wrong, but they believed he genuinely meant what he said.'

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

India's gems & jewellery exports witnessed 30.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) contraction in October to $2.17 million, amid the imposition of a steep 50 per cent tariff by the United States (US) on several Indian products.

Road, rail, ministries cross halfway mark in capex spending till Sep

Road, rail, ministries cross halfway mark in capex spending till Sep

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

The ministries of Road Transport & Highways and Railways have exceeded the national average capital expenditure (capex) by spending 63 per cent and 57 per cent of Budget estimates (BE), respectively, in the first half of 2025-26 (FY26). The total capital expenditure for April-September of FY26 stood at 52 per cent of the BE, according to the latest data by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.