The Union Budget comes with a vocabulary that can be confusing even for regular readers. Many terms are technical, and are used repeatedly across Budget documents, tables and debates. The “Budget at a Glance” table presents a consolidated snapshot of the Union Government’s finances for a financial year, showing actuals, Budget Estimates and Revised Estimates…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her record ninth straight Union Budget, with markets closely tracking headline numbers ranging from the fiscal deficit and capital expenditure to borrowing and tax revenue projections, as India charts its course as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.The Budget will be presented in a paperless format, continuing the…
MUMBAI: IDFC First Bank reported a 48.1% jump in net profit to Rs 503 crore for the third quarter ended December, from Rs 339 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The increase was helped by higher core income, lower sequential provisions and an improvement in asset quality.The bank’s bottom line improved aided by stronger…
India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by a sharp $8.053 billion to touch a new all-time high of $709.413 billion in the week ended January 23, extending the recent rebound after months of pressure from rupee volatility, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India.The latest rise follows a jump of $14.167 billion in…
NEW DELHI: As anticipation builds ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 on Sunday, attention is once again turning to the government’s tax proposals, spending priorities and fiscal math. The annual Budget is not just an economic exercise but one of the most closely watched economic and policy events in India, shaping everything…
As the Union Budget 2026–27 approaches, education stakeholders across schools, higher education, skilling, and edtech are calling for focused policy measures and financial support to strengthen learning outcomes, employability, and workforce readiness. These expectations come amid a steady rise in education allocations over the past few years and an increased emphasis on execution and infrastructure.The…
Planning to visit a bank in February? It’s smart to check the holiday schedule first, as an unexpected closure can turn a quick errand into a wasted trip. In India, banks observe both national and state-specific holidays, so closure dates may differ from one region to another. In India, bank holidays include both national and…
A determined farmer integrates solar power into his rural Indian landscape, balancing tradition with a sustainable future. NEW DELHI: Relatively slow growth in electricity demand in 2025–26, surplus power availability during solar hours leading to weak demand, and assured power availability for discoms after 2028–29 are among the reasons why renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs)…
UAE and Scotland Sign Investment MoU: What Does This Mean for Global Business? In a significant development for global investment flows, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Scotland have signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral investment cooperation, broaden economic ties and unlock new opportunities for businesses in both nations. The agreement,…
With Budget 2026 just a day away, focus has returned to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s red bahi khaata and what it could hold for different sectors. First introduced in 2019, the traditional red ledger has since een representing not just a functional item, but a conscious shift away from colonial-era customs, towards a more…
