Budget Expectation 2026 Highlights: What various sectors expect to see in Finance Minister's ‘Bahi Khata’ on February 1

Budget Expectations 2026 Live Updates: Auto industry looks for EV, hybrid and charging infra push

Saket Mehra, Partner and Auto & EV Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, said, "The Indian auto industry is closing 2025 on a strong note, driven by policy rationalisation and festive demand. Passenger vehicle sales have surged since October 2025, while EV adoption is accelerating, with penetration reaching nearly 5% of PV sales. The component sector grew 9.6% year-on-year, supported by localisation and enhanced domestic demand. As we enter 2026, trends point to hybrid mainstreaming, EV portfolio diversification, and electrification of public transit, alongside investments in charging networks and battery recycling—signaling a maturing ecosystem focused on sustainability and resilience."

Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: Higher tax relief on medical expenses, interest income likely for senior citizens

India's Union Budget 2026 could be a great opportunity for senior citizens, as the government is likely to take up the idea of increased tax exemptions on interest income and medical relief for them, as per Tarun Garg, Executive Director, Deloitte India, told ANI.

According to him, the government may consider giving additional tax relief to senior citizens in the Union Budget 2026–27 due to rising medical expenses and higher healthcare costs, which could lead to extra tax deductions.

He also noted the growing demand to increase tax deductions on interest income from bank deposits and small savings schemes. At present, the deduction limits on interest income are set at Rs 10,000 for non-senior citizens and Rs 50,000 for senior citizens.

Many people are requesting a raise in these limits, considering that the higher exemptions would assist senior citizens in handling inflation and the upsurge in living costs.

Centre to focus on debt consolidation, capex in Budget 2026

The government is likely to prioritise medium-term debt consolidation while sustaining a strong push for capital expenditure in the upcoming Union Budget for 2026-27, according to pre-Budget expectations outlined by rating agency ANI, citing the ICRA report.

ICRA expects that the Centre’s fiscal deficit will be contained at about 4.3 per cent of GDP in 2026–27, slightly below the 4.4 per cent targeted for 2025–26, aided by an estimated 9.8 per cent growth in nominal GDP.

Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: Stock markets to remain open on February 1

India’s stock markets will remain open for trading on Sunday, 1 February 2026. Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE Ltd. will operate as per standard market timings, according to circulars issued by the exchanges.

The pre-open session will start at 9:00 am for a duration of eight minutes, and then the normal trading will take place from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.

Budget 2026 Live Updates: Colliers India CEO flags review of REITs, affordable housing norms

Talking about institutional capital and policy direction, Badal Yagnik, CEO and Managing Director, Colliers India, said the upcoming budget may strike a balance between growth and fiscal discipline. "Budget 2026 is expected to prioritise growth across economic sectors and usher in equitable real estate development through policy incentives and tax rebates," CEO said.

Budget 2026 Live Updates: Commercial office sector looks for certainty, says ANAROCK myHQ CEO

According to Utkarsh Kawatra, CEO and co-founder of ANAROCK myHQ, the upcoming budget is unlikely to bring any major changes to commercial real estate. And this is not a negative sign as offices need stability and predictability matters more than incentives, he added.

"The Union Budget this year is unlikely to bring dramatic announcements for commercial real estate, and that is not necessarily a negative," he said. "For offices, stability and predictability matter far more than incentives."

Budget Expectation 2026 Live News: What real estate developers want

To maintain its growth momentum amid global uncertainty, India's real estate sector is looking for a fine balance between affordability-based demand, long-pending structural reforms and policy continuity.

Budget Expectations 2026 Live News: Union Budget 2026 may flag a new Governance Bill for PSU banks

Budget 2026 might be the one indicating a significant transformation of the public sector banks.

• - The government is expected to present a Banking Governance Bill as part of its plans.
• - The Bill is designed to bring about modern management and strengthen PSU bank governance.
• - The reforms aligned with the long-term Banking Vision 2047.
• - Major changes will be in the area of professionalism, competitivness and being globally aligned.
• - Legislation still under discussion, may take 3–4 months to be tabled in Parliament
• - A budget mention would indicate aspiration for reforming the banking sector structurally.
• - The Bill is expected to focus strongly on changes at the board level.
• - To improve the composition of boards, ensure greater independence, and add more sector expertise.
• - The goal is to attract and retain top-quality leadership, comparable to that in private banks.

Budget 2026 Live Update: Delhi’s pollution likely to get focus in this year’s Union Budget, says sources

The government is expected to give strong attention to Delhi’s worsening air pollution, according to Zee Business sources. A range of steps may be announced to reduce pollution levels not only in the national capital but also in other major cities facing very poor air quality.

The Budget could include specific funding aimed at controlling the rising pollution levels in Delhi and other highly polluted urban centres. These funds may be used to support pollution-control efforts and encourage cleaner practices across sectors.

Sources suggest that the government may take a stricter approach towards industrial pollution in Delhi. Industries that are major contributors to air pollution could be asked to move away from highly polluting fuels and switch to cleaner fuel options.

As part of this effort, a proposal to convert around 3,500 industrial units to clean fuel alternatives is said to be under active consideration. This proposal may receive formal approval in the Union Budget.