Nirmala Sitharaman

Govt confident of meeting fiscal deficit target despite West Asia shock, cites easing crude prices

Jul 27, 2026, 02:55 PM IST

FM Nirmala Sitharaman said the government was not planning to reconsider its Budget estimates for now, asserting that India had sufficient buffers to absorb pressures arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Govt Apathy After Tax Dept's 50-Year Land Struggle In Mumbai

Jul 27, 2026, 01:17 PM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised the laidback attitude of government departments after highlighting the Income Tax Department’s five-decade struggle over its own land in Mumbai. The department had secured a prime plot at Nariman Point in 1973, but the unattended property was illegally occupied, triggering years of bureaucratic delays before it could be reclaimed and developed. Speaking at the inauguration of Aaykar Sindhu, a 13-storey office complex spread across 1.13 lakh square feet, Sitharaman said the episode reflected serious administrative apathy. She urged tax officials to use this experience to understand the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens dealing with government authorities. The Finance Minister clarified that officials should not compromise rules or offer unlawful concessions. Instead, she called for faster decisions, fewer artificial hurdles and a more responsive approach so taxpayers are not forced to run from pillar to post for routine work across the country every single day.

'Tax officers struggled for own land': Nirmala Sitharaman slams laidback attitude of govt depts

Jul 26, 2026, 06:42 PM IST

She noted that if a department with immense enforcement authority faced decades of procedural friction to build its own headquarters, it should serve as a stark reminder of what ordinary taxpayers endure daily.

Nirmala Sitharaman Defends Government On NEET Row, Backs PM's Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases

Jul 24, 2026, 02:16 PM IST

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has defended the Centre's handling of the NEET paper leak controversy, saying the government acted swiftly by arresting those involved in leaking, buying and selling examination papers. Responding to the ongoing protests, she stressed that issues affecting students' futures are extremely sensitive and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and strict punishment for those responsible. Watch the full statement as Sitharaman outlines the government's response to one of India's biggest education controversies and explains the measures being taken to restore trust in the examination system

'Changing demands, doing disruptive politics': Sitharaman tears into Congress over NEET protests

Jul 23, 2026, 05:18 PM IST

Sitharaman said the Centre remained open to engaging directly with students and would continue efforts to initiate dialogue

Why Is the Rupee Falling? Finance Minister Tracks Currency Slide as Expert Explains Key Reasons

Jul 21, 2026, 10:03 PM IST

The Indian rupee remains under pressure even as the Finance Ministry says it is closely monitoring the currency's movement and the strength of the external sector. In this discussion, Feroze Azeez, Joint CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth, explains the key factors behind the rupee's weakness, including rising crude oil prices, heavy gold imports, FII outflows, and global fund reallocations. He also shares how the government's FCNR deposit initiative could support the balance of payments and help stabilize the rupee. Watch this detailed analysis to understand what the currency movement means for investors and the economy.

'Language of hatred has blinded...': FM Sitharaman hits back at Kharge

Apr 21, 2026, 07:51 PM IST

Kharge accused the prime minister of "terrorising" political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition

FM Sitharaman’s 7-Point Plan To Make India The Global Tech Hub

Jul 12, 2026, 09:00 AM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has outlined an ambitious roadmap to decentralize India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs), shifting focus from saturated metros to thriving Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, and Mysore. This strategy aims to foster balanced regional development while leveraging lower operational costs. The 2026-27 Union Budget introduces critical reforms, including a unified safe harbor regime, simplified transfer pricing, and the creation of university townships. By fostering industry-academia partnerships and strengthening digital infrastructure, the government intends to transition India from a cost-efficient destination into a globally leading innovation hub for AI, engineering design, and enterprise product development.

FM Sitharaman Targets 5,000 GCCs By 2030 As Global Giants Like Air Liquide Expand Into India!

Jul 11, 2026, 01:00 PM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has set an ambitious target for India to host 5,000 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) by 2030, marking a transition from operational capability to global economic leadership. Highlighting that two-thirds of Fortune 2000 companies have yet to establish a footprint in India, she identified this as a massive untapped investment opportunity. Citing the recent establishment of an Air Liquide GCC in Pune as a prime example, the FM emphasized that India’s talent pool and policy environment remain top global draws. The government aims to sustain this momentum by fostering innovation-led ecosystems across diverse geographic regions.

Beyond Cost-Cutting: How India Is Becoming The World’s New Innovation Engine!

Jul 10, 2026, 12:43 PM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled a transformative vision for India’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs), signaling a major shift from cost-efficiency to global innovation leadership. Emphasizing that India must now move beyond "catching up" to actively leading, the Finance Minister highlighted that the nation’s future competitiveness relies on building robust innovation ecosystems rather than just offering incentives. She urged states to adopt dedicated policy frameworks, particularly to unlock the potential of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Ultimately, the goal for the next decade is for India to conceive, engineer, and lead the world’s next generation of platforms, algorithms, and enterprise capabilities.

From 5,000-Yr-Old Carts To 153 Countries: Inside India’s Massive Toy Revolution

Jul 08, 2026, 01:15 PM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says India’s toy culture is deeply rooted in its civilisational heritage, from traditional melas and storytelling toys to 5,000-year-old Sindhu-Saraswati terracotta bullock carts. She said the modern Indian toy industry is now using this legacy to build new and innovative products. Sitharaman highlighted that India’s toy exports reached $186 million in FY25-26, while toy imports dropped by 71% between 2019 and 2026. She added that Indian toys are now exported to 153 countries, but India should aim higher than the projected $5 billion toy market by 2034.