Budget 2026: Why home loan rules need a fresh look

Budget 2026: Why home loan rules need a fresh look

For self-occupied homes, the deduction for interest is capped at Rs 2 lakh a year – a figure unchanged since 2015. (AI image) Falling home-loan rates, increase in young population seeking to buy homes and a steady revival in residential sales have encouraged many to take the plunge into home ownership. Tax incentives continue to…

Read More
Budget 2026: From savers to investors - Unlocking India’s physical wealth through budget reforms

Budget 2026: From savers to investors – Unlocking India’s physical wealth through budget reforms

Every festive season, India’s cultural affinity for gold expresses itself in strong demand. (AI image) By Navneet MunotIndia is a country of enormous diversity, with languages, customs and beliefs varying widely across regions. Yet one financial habit cuts across income levels and geography. Most households have grown up buying physical gold or silver every year…

Read More
Budget 2026: Time to cut the red tape for non-resident taxpayers

Budget 2026: Time to cut the red tape for non-resident taxpayers

At present, non-resident individuals must file an Indian tax return if their total income exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh. (AI image) India’s economic footprint extends far beyond its borders. Millions of Indians living abroad continue to hold property, investments, and financial interests back home. Foreign nationals and global investors, too, increasingly engage with Indian businesses. Yet,…

Read More
Budget 2026: PM Modi meets economists; aims mission-mode reforms to sustain long-term growth

Budget 2026: PM Modi meets economists; aims mission-mode reforms to sustain long-term growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met eminent economists and sectoral experts to seek their views on the upcoming Budget, a senior government official said. The meeting started at 11am chaired finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Niti Aayog vice chairman Suman Bery, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, other members of the Aayog, economists and sectoral experts…

Read More
Budget 2026: Dividend collections set to scale new high; likely to beat budget estimates in FY26

Budget 2026: Dividend collections set to scale new high; likely to beat budget estimates in FY26

In 2024-25, dividend earnings touched an all-time high of Rs 74,129 crore, far surpassing the budget estimate of Rs 56,260 crore. (AI image) Budget 2026: Dividend inflows to the exchequer from non-financial central public sector enterprises and firms in which the government holds minority stakes are expected to surpass the budgeted estimate for the fifth…

Read More
‘Next big clean-up’: FM Sitharaman flags customs simplification; hints at duty rationalisation in Budget

‘Next big clean-up’: FM Sitharaman flags customs simplification; hints at duty rationalisation in Budget

Ahead of Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said simplifying India’s customs framework will be the government’s next major reform focus, signalling a comprehensive clean-up aimed at making compliance easier and more transparent.Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Sitharaman said customs reforms would follow the rationalisation efforts already undertaken in income tax and…

Read More