New Delhi: India is planning a major expansion of its air and water quality monitoring infrastructure as environmental pollution emerges as a growing public health concern. The government has proposed a financial outlay of ₹1,091 crore in the budget for 2026-27 to strengthen monitoring and implementation of pollution control measures across the air, water and…
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses a press conference in New Delhi | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy The issue with the U.S. or the ongoing negotiations with that country on a trade deal did not have an impact on the Budget-making process or influence the decision to remove Customs tariffs on several key items, Finance…
The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS), one of the Modi government’s flagship initiatives aimed at boosting youth skilling and employability, has faced a sharp funding cut in the FY27 Union Budget presented on Sunday. The scheme was allocated ₹4,799.96 crore for FY27, less than half of the over ₹10,000 crore earmarked for it in FY26,…
Image used for representation purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The rupee gained 42 paise to close at 91.51 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Monday (February 2, 2026), a day after the Union Budget 2026-27 was presented, largely as crude oil prices retreated from their elevated levels. Also Read | Rupee hits all-time…
Image used for representational purposes. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) remained in a selling mode in January, withdrawing nearly ₹36,000 crore (about $3.97 billion) as global uncertainties persisted. Meanwhile, a higher securities transaction tax (STT) proposed in the Union Budget may weigh on overseas investor participation in the near future. The…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the new taxation rules for Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) and the hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options. | Photo Credit: R V Moorthy / The Hindu Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman firmly defended the new taxation regime for Sovereign Gold Bonds and the increased Securities Transaction Tax…
Govt’s ₹60k-cr extra telecom receipt aim dims Airtel’s AGR relief chance ₹60,000 crore is going to come from for the communications ministry, as it has already shown an earning of about ₹80,000 crore as of December end from sources such as licence fee from private telecom operators.”/> …
Stock markets rebounded on Monday (February 2, 2026) with benchmark Sensex jumping by 943 points on value buying in blue-chip oil & gas, banking and auto shares after facing a massive drubbing on the Budget day. The 30-share BSE Sensex rallied 943.52 points or 1.17%, to settle at 81,666.46. During the day, it surged 1,009.31…
File photo of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (February 2, 2026) said the Union Budget for FY27 has focussed on investment as a priority tool for boosting consumption, and the trajectory of fiscal deficit shows that the government’s priority is growth. Interacting with the…
Gold and silver prices traded in a volatile range on Monday as markets digested last week’s sharp correction, with both metals holding above key support levels despite continued pressure from a stronger US dollar and higher Treasury yields. COMEX gold traded near $4,580-$4,700, down from highs above $4,900, while MCX gold futures hovered in the…
