By Admin 
Budget Highlights: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in Parliament today. This was his ninth consecutive budget speech, in which he presented the blueprint of ‘Developed India’ to the country, focusing on ‘reforms, investment and youth power’. With revolutionary changes in capital expenditure and infrastructure, this budget has brought many new hopes for the middle class, youth and farmers.
10 biggest and important announcements of Budget 2026:
1. Historic spending on infrastructure
The government has set a budget of ₹12.2 lakh crore, the largest ever allocation for infrastructure development. This is about 9% more than last year. Its main objective is to create new employment opportunities by accelerating the work of roads, bridges and power projects across the country.
2. Network of 7 new high-speed railway corridors
This budget is going to prove revolutionary for the railway sector. The Finance Minister has announced the construction of 7 new high-speed railway corridors in the country. This includes major routes like Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad. Besides, emphasis has also been laid on expansion of ‘Kavach’ system for the safety of trains.
3. Emphasis on ‘girl hostel’ and education in every district
To ease the path of women empowerment and education, the government has set a big target of building at least one girls hostel in every district of the country. Additionally, ‘Destination Digital Knowledge Grid’ will be established for students, which will provide high quality education in digital form.
4. Health: Cancer-sugar medicines cheaper and 3 new AIIMS
Giving relief to the common man, the government has proposed to reduce import duty and other taxes on medicines for serious diseases like cancer and diabetes, which will make these medicines cheaper. Also, 5 new Regional Medical Centers will be opened in collaboration with the private sector. Apart from this, three new AIIMS will also be built in the country.
5. Launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0
‘Semiconductor Mission 2.0’ has been launched with an investment of ₹40,000 crore to make India a global chip manufacturing hub. This will not only increase domestic electronics production but will also strengthen Indian Intellectual Property (IP) in chip designing.
6. ‘Bharat Vistar’: The magic of AI for farmers
To digitalize the agriculture sector, the government has announced the launch of a multilingual AI tool named ‘Bharat Vistar’. It will provide farmers with accurate information about crop health, weather forecast and market prices in their own language.
7. Relief to middle class in TCS, no change in income tax
There is a big relief news for taxpayers. TCS (Tax Collected at Source) on study, treatment and tour packages abroad has been reduced from 5% to 2%. Apart from this, the deadline for filing revised ITR has been extended from December 31 to March 31, giving taxpayers an additional 3 months to correct their mistakes. However, no change has been made in the income tax slab.
8. ₹10,000 crore ‘growth fund’ for MSMEs
A special ‘SME Growth Fund’ of ₹10,000 crore has been created to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Also, a special fund of ₹40,000 crore has been allocated for electronics manufacturing so that small entrepreneurs can also become part of the global supply chain.
9. Climate action and ‘green’ connectivity
₹20,000 crore has been allocated for ‘Carbon Absorption and Utilization Scheme’ towards environmental protection. 20 new national waterways will be started in the next 5 years to increase connectivity, which will make freight transportation cheaper and pollution free.
10. 7% GDP growth target and 16th Finance Commission
The government has set a target of GDP growth of 7% for the financial year 2026-27. The Finance Minister also mentioned the report of the 16th Finance Commission, which will make the revenue sharing between the Center and the states more transparent and equitable.
Budget 2026 clearly seems to strike a balance between new technology (AI and semiconductors) and healing old wounds (expensive medicines and lack of infrastructure). It has been prepared keeping in mind both the pockets of the middle class and the pace of the country.