The Union Budget 2026-27 earmarks over Rs 1471 crore for upgrading forensic capabilities. Funds will boost safety of women initiatives, modernize Central Forensic Science Laboratories, and establish a National Forensic Data Centre. The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System receives Rs 550 crore for seamless data sharing. Criminology and Forensic Science sees a significant hike, supporting R&D and regional labs.
To discourage misuse of tax arbitrage, promoters will be subject to an additional buyback tax, raising the effective tax rate to 22 per cent for corporate promoters and 30 per cent for non-corporate promoters, she stated.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called the 10 percent nominal GDP growth estimate for the financial year beginning April 1, 2026, realistic. This projection is based on current GDP base year and methodology. India's GDP is estimated at Rs 393 lakh crore. The government will soon revise base years for key economic indicators like GDP and CPI.
Gold prices rebounded nearly 7% on MCX after a brutal selloff ahead of Budget 2026. Profit booking, margin pressures and lack of jewellery-sector relief weighed on bullion, while silver stayed flat after historic volatility following record crashes in both metals.
Ace investor Shankar Sharma applauds Budget 2026s STT hike on derivatives, calling F&O trading a poison. Experts say it may curb speculation, shift focus to long-term investing, but could unsettle markets and impact hedging.
Morgan Stanley maintains a bullish stance on Indian equities post-Budget, citing cyclical growth support, structural reforms, capex push, and long-term policy focus on semiconductors, AI, and data centres to sustain earnings and premium valuations.
