Expectations

Another area gaining attention is the need to increase women’s participation in STEM fields, which is seen as essential for building an inclusive and globally competitive workforce.

Updated : Jan 20, 2026

Budget 2026: Increase investment in R&D, women's participation in STEM fields — Education sector's wishlist for Nirmala Sitharaman

With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 now in its implementation phase, the upcoming budget is expected to focus not only on funding levels but also on quality, future readiness, and inclusion across the education system.

Union Budget 2026: The defence budget, which has hovered below 2% of nominal GDP in recent years, is likely to jump comfortably above that mark

Updated : Jan 19, 2026

Union Budget 2026: Major hike in defence capex on the cards after Operation Sindoor

Govt concerned with weapon shortfall, geopolitical fragmentation post Op Sindoor

Both Naredco and CREDAI have sought government intervention in the rental housing market in Budget 2026.

Updated : Jan 17, 2026

Budget 2026: Real estate industry switches tracks to affordable housing; seeks policy push

As Budget 2026 approaches, India’s real estate industry is recalibrating its priorities toward affordable and rental housing amid slowing luxury demand and global uncertainty. Industry bodies are seeking targeted tax, regulatory and infrastructure support to revive supply, improve affordability and strengthen urban growth.

Union Budget 2026: India’s healthcare needs are expanding in tandem with its growing demographics.

Updated : Jan 15, 2026

Union Budget 2026-27: Healthcare sector presses for policy depth over spend hikes

Union Budget 2026: Industry leaders have argued that Budget 2026 should treat healthcare as an economic priority rather than a discretionary spend

These disputes, the federation said, have locked up significant capital and management bandwidth, constraining cash flows for concessionaires and contractors.

Updated : Jan 9, 2026

Budget 2026: Highway builders body seeks revival of ‘Vivad se Vishwas II’ to unlock stuck highway projects

Union Budget 2026: The federation has requested the government to revive and re-open the scheme, or notify a similar one-time settlement window with extended cut-off dates and timelines, particularly for road projects and other core infrastructure contracts.

Budget 2026: MSME representatives list their expectations from the finance minister

Updated : Jan 9, 2026

Budget 2026-27: Here's what MSMEs expect from FM Nirmala Sitharaman

As the Union Budget for 2026-27 approaches, several representatives have highlighted the headwinds the MSME sector has faced and suggested multiple solutions.

Assocham pointed that the steel sector is facing challenges like elevated input costs, a weakening rupee and heavy reliance on imported coking coal owing to limited domestic mineable reserves.

Updated : Jan 8, 2026

Budget 2026: Assocham seeks hydrogen DRI, green finance to decarbonise steel

In its pre-Budget recommendations, Assocham called for fiscal and financial support for hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) technologies, along with concessional green financing, to enable steelmakers to cut emissions without undermining profitability.

Budget 2026: Govt may reduce the number of customs slabs

Updated : Jan 8, 2026

Budget 2026: Govt may reduce number of customs duty slabs

Budget 2026-27: This decision is intended to create a more unified indirect tax regime and ease compliance for businesses operating under both customs and GST.

India remains the world’s largest rice exporter, accounting for about 40 per cent of global trade. Government data shows that rice stocks have risen sharply, with reserves touching 57.57 million tonnes as of December 1.

Updated : Jan 7, 2026

Union Budget 2026: IREF urges Centre to offer tax breaks, logistics aid to strengthen rice exports

The Indian Rice Exporter’s Federation (IREF) has urged the Centre to introduce tax incentives, interest relief and logistics support, arguing that timely policy action could help the sector navigate rising operational challenges while sustaining export momentum.

Currently, India allocates approximately 1.5% of its GDP to healthcare, far below the global average of 3.5%.

Updated : Jan 18, 2025

Budget 2025: Healthcare sector looks to tax reforms and innovation push

A uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate of 12% on medical devices is also a key demand. Currently, GST rates on medical devices range from 5% to 18%, creating complications for manufacturers and distributors.

Updated : Jan 15, 2025

'Healthcare is not a luxury...': Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw calls for weighty allocation in Budget 2025

In Budget 2024, the Centre did not meet the goal outlined in its National Health Policy 2017 to allocate a minimum of 2.5% of GDP to healthcare.

In March 2024, the Cabinet approved an allocation of over Rs 10,300 crore for the India AI Mission.

Updated : Jan 14, 2025

Budget 2025-2026: AI Could Get Special Mention by FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Budget

In March 2024, the Cabinet approved an allocation of over Rs 10,300 crore for the India AI Mission

Experts have pointed out that the middle class continues to bear the brunt of India’s high taxation without significant relief over the past decade.

Updated : Jan 13, 2025

“Budget should come with relief...’: Tax expert says else ‘middle class is in problem’

With a little over two weeks to go for the Union Budget 2025, voices calling for tax relief for the country’s middle class are becoming increasingly vocal.

India is amongst the 140 countries that have signed the OECD’s Global Anti Base Erosion Model Rules for Pillar Two.

Updated : Jan 9, 2025

Budget 2025-26: Companies await clarity on India’s stance on Pillar Two rules

India seen to be in wait and watch mode after Trump election, does not see too much revenue gains

The industry is now poised for further growth in 2025, driven by key reforms and increasing consumer awareness.

Updated : Jan 6, 2025

Union Budget 2025: Wish list from the insurance sector

Irdai set to broaden insurance penetration in the country by leveraging major policies such as Bima Sugam, Bima Vahak and Bima Vistaar, and take it to 4.5% of GDP by 2034.

TV Mohandas Pai asked the Centre and FM Sitharaman expand the tax slabs and offer some relief to middle-class income taxpayers.

Updated : Jan 4, 2025

Income tax relief: How much tax can be saved if FM Nirmala Sitharaman follows Mohandas Pai's proposal?

In a post on X, Pai has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to revise tax slabs to offer relief to the middle class.

Currently, homebuyers are required to withhold 1% of the property purchase value as TDS if the property is valued at Rs 50 lakh or more.

Updated : Jan 3, 2025

Budget 2025: Deloitte asks for simpler TDS terms for NRIs selling houses in India

Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a tax withheld from your earnings at the source before being received by you. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) frequently encounter higher TDS rates compared to resident Indians, leading to excessive deductions.

Fixed deposits have long been a preferred investment option for Indians. Nearly 15% of household savings still find their way into FDs.

Updated : Jan 3, 2025

Budget 2025: Financial sector seeks tax benefit on fixed deposits, long-term savings

During a meeting with representatives from the financial sector, FM Sitharaman discussed the recommendation from banks to introduce tax incentives for fixed deposits (FDs) as a way to encourage savings leading up to the Union Budget 2025.

In Budget 2024, FM Sitharaman offered some relief to salaried taxpayers in terms of TCS and TDS.

Updated : Jan 2, 2025

Union Budget 2025: Will FM Sitharaman look at simplifying TDS-TCS regime further this time?

Budget expectations: FICCI in its recommendations for the Union Budget 2025 emphasized the need for tax reforms to enhance the ease of doing business and reduce complexity in the system.

Mohandas Pai said the Centre and state spend more than Rs 900,000 cr of subsidies in India for bottom 60% but middle class bears most burden of tax.

Updated : Jan 1, 2025

Union Budget 2025: Infosys ex-CFO Mohandas Pai calls for relief to 'long suffering' middle class taxpayers

Mohandas Pai, the ex-CFO of Infosys, advocated for a decrease in personal income tax rates in order to boost disposable income for the middle class. He emphasized the need for the Finance Ministry to provide relief to the "honest middle class" taxpayers, who lack the same support as the lower-income class and often do not receive adequate relief measures.

This year, senior citizens are also hoping for an increase in the tax exemption limits under the old and the new tax regime.