News for 'State for Finance'

Interview with chairman SC Shetty: 'SBI Will Double Its Balance Sheet In 6-7 Years'

Interview with chairman SC Shetty: 'SBI Will Double Its Balance Sheet In 6-7 Years'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'Credit growth in India remains in double digits, even though corporate borrowing is subdued.' 'Corporate credit is weak because companies are cash-rich and cautious amid global uncertainty.'

Sensex jumps 650 points on buying in power, banking stocks

Sensex jumps 650 points on buying in power, banking stocks

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded sharply by nearly 1 per cent on Monday, driven by strong buying in power, banking, and financial stocks.

After SC jolt, Trump signs order for global 10% tariff on all countries

After SC jolt, Trump signs order for global 10% tariff on all countries

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

The official also advised all the trade partners to abide by the trade deals. The new 10 percent global tariff is part of Trump's protectionist trade agenda, aimed at addressing balance-of-payments issues and unfair trade practices.

'Where is Guru Dakshina coming from?': Priyank Kharge targets RSS

'Where is Guru Dakshina coming from?': Priyank Kharge targets RSS

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Priyank Kharge accused the RSS of money laundering, demanding transparency in their financial dealings and questioning their exemption from laws applicable to other organizations.

Budget 2026: 'Increased Industrialisation Will Lead To More Jobs'

Budget 2026: 'Increased Industrialisation Will Lead To More Jobs'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

'The trade deficit in some sectors is huge and that is an area of opportunity to localise.'

M&A financing the new frontier for banks, but RBI's watching

M&A financing the new frontier for banks, but RBI's watching

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Mint Road's proposals on banks' M&A funding are cautious even as entrants root for more elbow room, and weigh business models.

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The finance minister said that consolidation of state-owned banks could proceed at any time without waiting for the recommendations of the proposed high-level committee on banking.

Overseas residents eligible to invest in Indian equities

Overseas residents eligible to invest in Indian equities

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said individual persons residing outside India (PROI) will be permitted equity investments in listed Indian companies through a portfolio investment scheme.

India must use current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home: Amitabh Kant

India must use current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home: Amitabh Kant

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

India should resist knee-jerk responses to tariff volatility in the US and instead use the current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home, former G20 Sherpa and former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant said on Wednesday.

'Cybersecurity incidents could surge 20 pc this year'

'Cybersecurity incidents could surge 20 pc this year'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

While methods such as generative user awareness remain among the most efficient and low-cost mechanisms for preventing cybersecurity incidents, they are becoming less effective as attacks become more sophisticated.

Was Ajit preparing to quit the NDA?: Fadnavis on NCP merger

Was Ajit preparing to quit the NDA?: Fadnavis on NCP merger

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

On reports of the BJP opposing the NCP merger, Fadnavis asserted that his party hasn't opposed anyone.

Stock markets end higher; ITC, banks lead recovery

Stock markets end higher; ITC, banks lead recovery

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Stock markets closed higher on Friday after the Reserve Bank of India kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged as expected and proposed allowing banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

Budget 2026: What The Fiscal Numbers Show

Budget 2026: What The Fiscal Numbers Show

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The idea of back-loading the target of fiscal consolidation is perhaps guided by the government's desire to be prepared for any adverse developments in the coming year, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Key For Growth

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Key For Growth

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

The deal shifts the US posture towards India from hostile to neutral, and that matters for growth, points out T T Ram Mohan.

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday participated in a traditional 'halwa' ceremony, marking the final stage for the preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27, to be unveiled on February 1 in the Lok Sabha.

'Is Rs 10 Cr Realistic In 10 Years?'

'Is Rs 10 Cr Realistic In 10 Years?'

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

In a move aimed at curbing the mis-selling of financial products, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed banning incentives paid to bank staffers by third parties such as insurance companies and mutual fund houses for selling their products and services. It has also proposed that banks must ensure their user interfaces do not deploy "dark patterns" to lure customers.

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.

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Around 24 paise will come from borrowings and other liabilities, 10 paise from non-tax revenue like disinvestment, and 2 paise from non-debt capital receipts, the Budget documents showed.

Why I Cycled From Kashmir To Kanyakumari

Why I Cycled From Kashmir To Kanyakumari

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

'That journey across India has changed me forever.'

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.

Budget proposes Rs 10,000 cr investment in biopharma over next 5 years

Budget proposes Rs 10,000 cr investment in biopharma over next 5 years

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed Rs 10,000 crore investment in the biopharma sector over the next five years, a move which would give a boost to the country's pharmaceuticals industry.

UN report links JeM to Red Fort blast, warns of women-only terror wing

UN report links JeM to Red Fort blast, warns of women-only terror wing

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

A UN Security Council report indicates that Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was reportedly linked to a terror attack on the Red Fort in New Delhi. The report also highlights JeM's activities, including the establishment of a women-only wing and its presence in the region.

Can India Reset Ties With Bangladesh?

Can India Reset Ties With Bangladesh?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Sensitive issues remain. Water sharing of the Ganga and Teesta rivers. Treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus. Border management. Trade imbalances. Connectivity projects.What happens next will shape not just bilateral ties, but the balance of South Asia itself, points out Ramesh Menon.

STT hike on Futures drags markets down; Sensex crashes 1,547 points

STT hike on Futures drags markets down; Sensex crashes 1,547 points

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty dived sharply by nearly 2 per cent on Sunday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a hike in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives. Reversing the early gains, the 30-share BSE Sensex plunged sharply by 2,370.36 points or 2.88 per cent to slide below the 80,000-mark at 79,899.42 in afternoon trade as the finance minister announced a hike in STT on futures contracts to 0.05 per cent from the current 0.02 per cent.

She Wore Purple! 9 Times Nirmala Sitharaman Wowed Us!

She Wore Purple! 9 Times Nirmala Sitharaman Wowed Us!

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is well-known for donning saris that speak as powerfully as her budget speech. Each Budget Day, she selects a drape that pays tribute to India's amazing textile heritage and the mastery of its artisans.

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Two dedicated freight corridors -- Eastern and Western -- are in operation covering several states and districts.

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel for two days to discuss bilateral and regional issues, marking his second visit to the Jewish state and highlighting the growing strategic partnership between India and Israel.

Sensex tumbles 558 points on sell-off in IT shares

Sensex tumbles 558 points on sell-off in IT shares

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Benchmark BSE Sensex fell 558 points on Thursday amid heavy selling in IT shares, as concerns over AI-led disruptions and waning hopes of a Fed rate cut after firm US economic data weighed on investor sentiment.

Sensex, Nifty close almost unchanged in choppy trade

Sensex, Nifty close almost unchanged in choppy trade

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed on a flat note in a choppy session on Wednesday as gains in PSU banks and auto shares were offset by losses in IT stocks.

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

Why gold loan book has doubled in 2 years

Why gold loan book has doubled in 2 years

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The gold loan portfolio across the system has nearly doubled to Rs 15.6 lakh crore in two years to November 2025, as a spike in prices of the precious commodity encouraged lenders to increase their exposures to the safer segment, a report said on Wednesday.

Tenure of 16th Finance Commission extended till Nov 30

Tenure of 16th Finance Commission extended till Nov 30

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The government has extended the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission by one month till November 30. The 16th Finance Commission was constituted by the government on December 31, 2023, with former Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'We kept this Budget on a larger plank, rather than on one incident, however serious.'

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a 'white-collar' terror module, revealing that doctors arrested in the case had been radicalized since 2016 and formed a new terror organization named 'Ansar Interim' to carry out subversive activities.

Budget 2026: Key numbers to be watched

Budget 2026: Key numbers to be watched

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Here are the key numbers to watch out for in the Union Budget for 2025-26:

Sunetra Pawar elected NCP leader, to take oath at 5 pm

Sunetra Pawar elected NCP leader, to take oath at 5 pm

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, has been unanimously elected as the leader of the NCP legislature party in Maharashtra and is set to become the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister.

GST Council To Consider 5% GST For Air, Water Purifiers

GST Council To Consider 5% GST For Air, Water Purifiers

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Any reduction on purifiers would need consensus among state finance ministers.

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony.