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Union Budget 2026-27
Union Budget 2026-27
On February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the 2026-27 financial year. This was her record-breaking 9th budget, delivered on a Sunday (coinciding with Magha Purnima).
The theme of this year's budget is "Yuva Shakti-driven Bharat," focusing on converting India’s demographic dividend into economic capacity through manufacturing, infrastructure, and employment.
Budget 2026-27: Key Figures at a Glance
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Parameter
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2026-27 Estimate
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Notes
|
|
Total Expenditure
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₹53.47 Lakh Crore
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7.7% increase over FY 2025-26
|
|
Capital Expenditure (Capex)
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₹12.2 Lakh Crore
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Boost for "Future-Ready" Infrastructure
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|
Fiscal Deficit Target
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4.3% of GDP
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Down from 4.4% in FY 2025-26
|
|
GDP Growth Estimate
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10% (Nominal)
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Real growth + Inflation
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|
Total Receipts
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₹36.52 Lakh Crore
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Non-borrowing receipts
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Personal Income Tax: No New Slabs
The government maintained the status quo on income tax slabs for the 2026-27 financial year, continuing the relief measures introduced in the previous year. However, the New Income Tax Act, 2025 officially comes into effect from April 1, 2026.
New Tax Regime Slabs (FY 2026-27)
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Income Slab
|
Tax Rate
|
|
Up to ₹4,00,000
|
Nil
|
|
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000
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5%
|
|
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000
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10%
|
|
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000
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15%
|
|
₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000
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20%
|
|
₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000
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25%
|
|
Above ₹24,00,000
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30%
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Pro Tip: For salaried individuals, the effective tax-free limit is ₹12.75 Lakh (₹12 Lakh taxable income + ₹75,000 Standard Deduction).
Top 5 Strategic Pillars & Facts
1. The "Big Three" Kartavyas
The Budget was prepared under the guidance of three "Duties":
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Accelerating Growth: Scaling manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors.
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Fulfilling Aspirations: Enhancing capacity for the common man.
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Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas: Ensuring regional and community-wide access to resources.
2. Infrastructure & Rail Connectors
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High-Speed Rail: Seven new corridors identified (e.g., Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Varanasi, Hyderabad-Bengaluru) as "Growth Connectors."
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Waterways: 20 new National Waterways to be operationalized over 5 years.
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Freight: A new Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) connecting Surat to Dankuni.
3. Defence: Sharp Rise in Outlay
The Defence budget has been hiked to ₹7.85 Lakh Crore (roughly 14.7% of total expenditure). This includes a massive modernization push following "Operation Sindoor" security requirements.
4. Support for "Champion SMEs"
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A ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund was introduced to scale small businesses into global champions.
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SME Top-up: ₹2,000 crore additional support via the Self-Reliant India Fund.
5. Sector-Specific Gems
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Tourism: Scheme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic sites in collaboration with IIMs.
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Education: Establishment of 5 University Townships in industrial corridors.
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Tech: Tax holiday for foreign companies using Indian Data Centres until 2047.
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