📢 🇮🇳 *Union Budget 2026-27 — Key changes & what they mean.*
*🔥 1. New Income-Tax System & Act*
• A new Income-Tax Act (2025) will come into effect from 1 April 2026, aiming to simplify tax rules and compliance by reducing complexity and sections.
📊 *2. Fiscal Management & Borrowing*
• Fiscal deficit target set at 4.3% of GDP for FY 2026-27 — shows the government’s focus on discipline.
• Government plans record borrowing (~₹17.2 trillion) to finance spending — could impact bond markets.
🛠️ *3. Infrastructure & Growth Push*
• Infrastructure spending increased to ₹12.2 trillion (+8.8%) — highest ever push to roads, rails, power, ports and urban projects.
📈 *4. Semiconductor & Tech Boost*
• Launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with ₹40,000 crore funding to build chip manufacturing and ecosystem at home.
📉 *5. Market & Trading Taxes*
• Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on options premium trading ↑ from 0.10% to 0.15% and on futures from 0.02% to 0.05% — aims to curb excessive derivatives trading.
✂️ *6. Customs Duty & Industry Support*
• Customs duty exemptions introduced for raw materials in aviation parts, microwave oven components, battery storage systems, etc. — helps local manufacturing.
• Duty relief on 17 essential cancer drugs to cut treatment costs.
👨💼 *7. Social, Rural & Inclusive Measures*
• New trekking trails in J&K, Uttarakhand & Araku; 5 medical tourism hubs; eco & tourism boosts.
• Agriculture support programs for coconut, cashew & cocoa expansion.
• Cloud services tax holiday till 2047 for global data-center firms.
👩🎓 *8. Education, Skills & Jobs*
• New sports mission to develop talent & job opportunities.
• AVGC (animation, VFX & games) labs & training for youth employment growth.
🌍 *9. NRI & Investments*
• Higher limits for NRI investments (up to ~24%) to attract more funds.
📊 *Summary – what it means for you!*
✅ Easier tax filing & simpler rules from April 2026.
❌ No big income tax cuts this year.
📉 Higher trading taxes — negative for active traders.
🚧 Big infrastructure & tech spending — good for long-term growth.
👨🏫 Focus on jobs, education & manufacturing.
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