Where Budget 2025 was largely dominated by the income-tax rate and slab relaxations, Budget 2026 has done away with Big Bang measures. Budget 2026 contains announcements for the manufacturing sector, various services sectors, as well as particular provisions to help labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather. The services sector, too, stands to benefit from Budget 2026. As for the Centre’s finances, Budget 2026 offers a mix of expenditure enthusiasm and revenue sobriety. Overall, Budget 2026 may disappoint those looking for massive tax relief or subsidies, but is nevertheless a credible and creditable effort.

Source: The Hindu February 01, 2026 22:42 UTC