Year: 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday (February 1) presented the Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha and detailed the allocations to various sectors in her address. She also scripted history today by presenting the Budget for the record 9th time in the Lower House of Parliament. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai continues to hold the record for presenting 10 term the most Union Budgets in independent India. For the first time in India’s independent history, the Union Budget has been presented on a Sunday.

In a significant relief for patients, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Budget 2026 that medicines used for the treatment of 17 types of cancer and seven other critical diseases will be made cheaper. The move is aimed at improving access to life-saving therapies, reducing the financial burden on families, and strengthening India’s commitment to affordable healthcare.

In good news for taxpayers, the deadline to file a revised income tax return (ITR) has been extended. Taxpayers can now file revised returns until March 31 of the relevant assessment year, instead of the earlier deadline of December 31. 

Budget 2026: New Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect on April 1, says Sitharaman

Indian equity markets are open today, i.e. on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth straight Budget. The presentation of the Budget for April 2026 to March 2027 fiscal (2026-27) on Sunday is a first in the history of independent India. The Budget 2026 is expected to unveil measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could buffer the economy from global trade frictions, including US tariffs. Amid this, experts are expected to be volatile during today’s special trading session.

The biggest and most glamorous night in music is finally here. Renowned for delivering the best of music, spectacular stage designs, first-time live performances and experiences that will be etched in one’s memory for a lifetime, the Grammy Awards are all set to make a comeback with the 68th edition of the awards. 

Legendary Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic will be going up against world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final of the Australian Open 2026. The two stars went through incredible semi-final clashes against Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, respectively. 

US government enters partial shutdown amid funding deadlock