Union Budget 2026-27: LIVE
The presentation will also be the second full Budget since NDA returned to power for a third consecutive term in the 2024 general elections
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team ahead of Union Budget 2026-27 presentation (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi, Feb 1: The Union Budget 2026–27, to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, is expected to prioritise defence, infrastructure, capital expenditure, power and affordable housing.
Sitharaman will table the Budget in the Lower House, marking the 15th Union Budget of the Narendra Modi-led government.
The presentation will also be the second full Budget since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power for a third consecutive term in the 2024 general elections.
The Finance Minister is set to create history by becoming the first woman to present the Union Budget for the ninth consecutive time.
Economists said expectations around the FY27 Budget differ from the previous year, which was largely focused on boosting middle-class consumption through tax relief measures. The upcoming Budget, they noted, is likely to take a more calibrated approach to stimulating consumption while prioritising long-term growth drivers.
Greater emphasis is expected on capital expenditure, particularly in sectors considered strategically important amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Defence preparedness, infrastructure development and energy security are likely to feature prominently in the spending roadmap.
According to an India Strategy report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, capital spending is expected to remain a key priority in the Budget, with allocations also likely to support higher growth in affordable housing.
Stay tuned for live updates, below:
Live Updates
- 1 Feb 2026 3:15 PM IST
Capital Gains Exemption for Sovereign Gold Bonds
FM Sitharaman proposes to provide that the exemption from capital gains tax in respect of Sovereign Gold Bonds shall be available only where
such bonds are subscribed to by an individual at the time of original issue and are held continuously until redemption on maturity.
Along with it, she also proposed to provide that this exemption applies uniformly to all issuances of Sovereign Gold Bonds by the Reserve Bank of India.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:14 PM IST
Civil and Defence Aviation
FM proposed to exempt basic customs duty on components and parts required for the manufacture of civilian, training and other aircrafts.
It was also proposed to exempt basic customs duty on raw materials imported for manufacture of parts of aircraft to be used in maintenance, repair, or overhaul requirements by Units in the Defence sector.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:03 PM IST
Alongside, to provide relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, the Finance Minister propose to exempt basic customs duty on 17 drugs or medicines.
Also proposes to add seven more rare diseases for the purposes of exempting import duties on personal imports of drugs, medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) used in their treatment.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:03 PM IST
In order to rationalize the customs duty structure for goods imported for personal use, FM Sitharaman propose to reduce the tariff rate on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to 10%.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:01 PM IST
Special Economic Zones:
FM also announced the proposal of a special one time measure to facilitate sales by eligible manufacturing units in SEZs to the domestic tariff areas at concessional rates.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:59 PM IST
Electronics
FM proposed to exempt basic customs duty on specified parts used in the manufacture of microwave ovens.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:58 PM IST
Civil and Defence Aviation
FM Sitharaman further proposed to exempt basic customs duty on components and parts required for the manufacture of civilian, training and other aircrafts.
It was also proposed to exempt basic customs duty on raw materials imported for manufacture of parts of aircraft to be used in maintenance, repair, or overhaul requirements by Units in the Defence sector.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:57 PM IST
Biogas blended CNG
FM proposed to exclude the entire value of biogas while calculating the central excise duty payable on biogas blended CNG
- 1 Feb 2026 2:56 PM IST
Critical Minerals
The Ministry of Finance proposed to provide basic customs duty exemption to the import of capital goods required for the processing of critical minerals in India.
