While welcoming measures supporting MSMEs and lab-grown diamond (LGD), stakeholders from gems and jewellery sector said some of their requests for a cut in import duty on gold and GST rationalisation did not materialise in the Union Budget 2026-27. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said: “We thank the government for…
Experts say that this shift could significantly alter how exporters access state support in an increasingly volatile global trade environment. The budget documents show that older interest subsidy schemes have been phased out, while funding is being redirected towards export insurance, trade enforcement and streamlined export support programmes. The move suggests that the Centre no…
On Friday, bitcoin fell to as low as $81,104, the lowest since November 21 [File] | Photo Credit: REUTERS Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value, was down by 6.53% at $78,719.63 at 12:48 p.m. ET (1748 GMT) on Saturday, continuing its decline from the previous session. On Friday, bitcoin fell to as low…
The Union Budget 2026 allows Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units to sell gems and jewellery in the domestic market at concessional duties, helping manufacturers utilise idle capacity amid falling exports | Photo Credit: SHASHI ASHIWAL/businessline The Budget’s move to allow units in Special Economic Zones to sell in the domestic markets will help jewellers who…
Mint Explainer | AI mentioned 11 times, but budget cut: Decoding India’s evolving stance on artificial intelligence ₹1,000 crore, signaling a cautious stance on AI development. Despite FM Sitharaman’s emphasis on AI’s potential, the government focuses on sector-specific applications rather than large-scale investments, reflecting changing priorities in the AI landscape.”/> …
Photo used for representation purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Seeking to attract global business and investment into India, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget presentation Sunday (February 1, 2026), among other things, providing a fillip to toll manufacturing in the country proposed exempting non-residents from paying income tax for five years….
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…
