Nirmala Sitharaman

Rule Changes

Presented ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2026; introduced sweeping Income Tax Act overhaul effective April 1, 2026

India surpassed Japan in mid-2025 to become the world's fourth-largest economy. On February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026, introducing a sweeping overhaul of India's tax code—the first major rewrite since 1961—while allocating a record ₹12.2 lakh crore for capital expenditure and ₹20,000 crore for carbon capture technologies. The budget came as the government faces new external pressures: the United States had imposed combined 50% tariffs on several Indian exports in 2025, yet India proved more resilient than expected. Just one day later, on February 2, India and the United States finalized a landmark trade agreement reducing U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, bringing India's trade burden in line with regional competitors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called the preceding Economic Survey a glimpse of the 'Reform Express,' stating India's momentum is accelerating even during difficult times.

Updated Feb 6