Could your next UPI payment come with a fee? The claim has sparked a political showdown between the BJP and the opposition Congress party. Now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has finally broken her silence. Here' what she said.

Will ordinary Indian users have to pay for UPI? Nirmala Sitharaman breaks silence on Congress' MDR fee claim

As the world’s largest recipient of remittances, India’s forex inflows on that account grew from $10 billion in 1998 to a record $135 billion in 2024/25. Total reserves have fallen from $728 billion in late February to $ 689 billion in mid-May triggering a forex crunch.

India’s 3F problem is not a crisis: Whimsical US is the elephant in the room

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated the recent retail fuel price hike was an operational move by oil firms driven by global realities, noting the government previously absorbed a Rs 1 lakh crore fiscal hit. She also expressed full trust in the RBI's record dividend calculations.

Oil firms' fuel hikes, gold monetisation under review, says FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government was closely monitoring the impact of the West Asia crisis on fuel, fertiliser and foreign exchange pressures, while maintaining that India’s economic fundamentals remained resilient.

Nirmala Sitharaman flags ‘3Fs’ as key challenge after PM Modi’s austerity appeal amid West Asia crisis

 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised that India is not merely waiting for international aid but is proactively investing its own resources to meet environmental goals.

India doubles climate action spending in 6 years, raises to nearly 6% of GDP: Finance Minister

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman targeted Rahul Gandhi for his “traitor” remark about Ravneet Singh Bittu. She said Rahul told Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, that he respects him for his past in the Congress but did not show the same courtesy to Bittu.

‘Congress govt surrendered before WTO, sold farmers,’ says Sitharaman, counters Rahul Gandhi’s charges

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed allegations that the Centre has diluted tax devolution and said the Union government transferred 41% of the divisible pool to the states and the share of no state has been reduced.

‘No state neglected in Budget’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman shreds Opposition’s claims

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget targets a 7.4% real GDP growth for the current fiscal year ending March 2026, but the composition reveals a persistent tilt: services are projected to expand 9.1%, while manufacturing and construction lag at 7%.

India’s budget 2026-27: Manufacturing push meets services reality

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has unveiled its annual budget, aiming for steady growth in an uncertain global economy rocked by recent tariff wars.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget for the 2026-2027 financial year in Parliament on Sunday, prioritising infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, with a total expenditure estimated at $583bn.

India Budget 2026: Does India Budget Deliver on its Bets?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27 
She highlighted the Modi government’s push for a “Reform Express.” Defence budget pegged at Rs 7.84 lakh crore. Allocations announced for key schemes. Promotion of exports of marine, leather, and textile products
Dedicated rare-earth corridors. Biopharma Shakti with outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over five years. 


India Budget 2026: India Goes Big on Biopharma

India’s Union Budget 2026 has unveiled a ₹12.2 trillion allocation for infrastructure, underlining the government’s focus on capital expenditure to drive economic growth.


India Budget 2026: ₹12.2 Trillion Push On Infrastructure Spending

The new law aims to replace the decades-old Income Tax Act, 1961, with clearer provisions, streamlined rules and easier filing processes. While several measures offer relief to taxpayers, others increase costs for specific segments.

Union Budget 2026: Major income tax changes announced — Who gains, who loses

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lowered the TCS on overseas tour packages to 2 per cent, removing earlier thresholds. At present, a 5 per cent TCS applies to spending up to Rs 10 lakh in a financial year, while amounts exceeding Rs 10 lakh attract a 20 per cent levy. 

From foreign travel to F&O trades: Union Budget brings BIG changes for taxpayers—Check details inside

Poll-bound Tamil Nadu does not have anything significant in the Union Budget 2026-2027 that would attract people's attention, a noted political commentator said on Sunday. Political analyst Sumanth Raman drew a parallel between Bihar, which was at focus in last year's budget; and Tamil Nadu, where elections are due by April this year.



India Budget 2026: Did Budget 2026 Deliver For Poll Bound Tamil Nadu?

Budget 2026 places Artificial Intelligence at the center of India’s economic growth strategy. The government has highlighted AI as a “force multiplier” to boost productivity, innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and digital services.


Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Presents 9th Union Budget; Six Priority Areas Identified To Drive Growth

One of the main focus areas for this year has been the safety of passengers as the government proposed to install the indigenious buit anti-collision system Kavach 4.0 across 18,000 km of high-traffic tracks in the country.

Budget 2026: Railways receive highest-ever allocation, 7 high-speed corridors announced – check full details

Union Finance Minister on Sunday created history by presenting her 9th consecutive Union Budget in Parliament, asserting that the "reform express" of the Narendra Modi-led government is well on its way. Know all the proposals, allocation of money for different sectors, and other plans.

Who got big bucks? From Biopharma to Defence: Breakdown of budget allocations in 2026 across key sectors

In the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new six-year initiative titled the 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses'. The programme aims to boost domestic production of Tur, Urad and Masoor to meet rising consumption and achieve self-reliance.

Union Budget 2026: What is the ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’? A six-year plan for self-reliance

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman underlined the commitment of the government to sustaining structural reforms and simplifying the tax system. A series of direct tax changes were announced, with a new Income Tax Act set to reshape compliance and administration from the next financial year.

New Income Tax Act from April 1: Buyback taxation, remittance rules & more—Here's what every taxpayers should know

Over the years, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget Day sarees have become a muted tradition in their own right. As she readies to present her ninth budget, let's take a look at her iconic sarees through the years.

What's the story behind FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s iconic Budget Day saree for 2026? Look at her drapes through the years | In Pics

Under the proposal, personal imports of drugs, medicines and foods for special medical purposes used to treat these rare diseases will be exempt from import duties. The decision is intended to make life-saving treatments more affordable and expand access to essential therapies.

Budget 2026–27: Customs duty removed on 17 cancer drugs, expands rare disease relief

The Budget is also expected to reveal measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could protect the Indian economy from global trade frictions, which include US tariffs.

Budget 2026–27: Finance Minister Sitharaman announces 3 new All India Institute of Ayurveda,  Pharmaceutical Education and Research

India is set for a big tax overhaul. FM Nirmala Sitharaman has confirmed a brand new Income Tax Act will replace the 1961 law from April 2026, promising simpler rules, new forms and key reliefs for taxpayers. But what exactly changes, and who really benefits? Scroll down to know.

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman confirms India's new Income Tax act to take effect from THIS date

While making the announcement about setting up hostel facilities, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted constraints faced by women in advanced studies due the lack of it.

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman announces 'She-MART retail outlets, hostel facilities for women

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Will ordinary Indian users have to pay for UPI? Nirmala Sitharaman breaks silence on Congress' MDR fee claim

India’s 3F problem is not a crisis: Whimsical US is the elephant in the room

Oil firms' fuel hikes, gold monetisation under review, says FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Sitharaman flags ‘3Fs’ as key challenge amid West Asia crisis

India doubles climate action spending in 6 years, raises to nearly 6% of GDP: FM

‘Cong govt surrendered before WTO, sold farmers’: FM Sitharaman counters Rahul

‘No state neglected in Budget’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman shreds Opposition’s claims

India’s budget 2026-27: Manufacturing push meets services reality

India Budget 2026: Does India Budget Deliver on its Bets?

India Budget 2026: India Goes Big on Biopharma

India Budget 2026: ₹12.2 Trillion Push On Infrastructure Spending

Union Budget 2026: Major income tax changes announced — Who gains, who loses

From foreign travel to F&O trades: Union Budget brings BIG changes for taxpayers

India Budget 2026: Did Budget 2026 Deliver For Poll Bound Tamil Nadu?

Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Presents 9th Union Budget; Six Priority Areas Identified To Drive Growth

Railways receive highest-ever allocation, 7 high-speed corridors announced

From Biopharma to Defence: Breakdown of budget allocations across key sectors

Union Budget 2026: New six-year mission for self-reliance in pulses

New Income Tax Act from April 1: Buyback taxation, remittance rules & more

What's the story behind Nirmala Sitharaman’s iconic Budget Day saree for 2026?

Budget 2026–27: Customs duty removed on 17 cancer drugs

Finance Minister Sitharaman announces 3 new All India Institute of Ayurveda

Budget 2026: Sitharaman says new Income Tax law to take effect from THIS date

Sitharaman announces 'She-MART retail outlets, hostel facilities for women