Union Budget 2026 – Let’s Talk Numbers, Promises & Reality! - Page 2

Expert Insights & Broader Impacts

Positive Signals
✔ Emphasis on manufacturing incentives, tariff rationalisation, and regulatory simplification to support Make in India and supply‐chain deepening.
✔ Digital infrastructure expansion, including rural broadband and UPI-linked financial inclusion measures.

Challenges & Critiques
⚠ Long-term fiscal consolidation may constrain welfare spending — with analysts noting pressures from rising interest servicing costs and the need to bolster recurring revenue streams.

Bottom Line — What This Budget Signals

• Growth with pragmatism: Sustained focus on capex and productivity-enhancing allocations (technology, infrastructure, MSMEs).

• Inclusivity & human capital: Education, health, and farmer support remain core.

• Reform momentum: Moves toward ease of doing business and digital economy coverage are clear strategic themes.

• Fiscal discipline: Efforts maintain macro stability but draw scrutiny on long-term welfare prioritisation.

• Promote India as a hub for Medical-value tourism
  

  Ms. Sitharaman announces proposals for Allied Health Practioners and training for caregivers.

  Further, to promote India as a hub for Medical-value tourism, she proposes a scheme to support States in establishing five regional medical hubs in partnership with private sectors.

  With regards to Yoga, Ayurveda, she sets up proposal of three new All India Institutes for Ayurveda, upgrade AYUSH pharmacies and upgrade WHO traditional medical center in Jamnagar.

• AVGC content creator labs, new National Institute of Design
  

  Ms. Sitharaman proposes support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies Mumbai in setting up AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges.

  She also proposes to establish a new National Institute of Design to boost design education and development in Eastern India.

The Union Budget 2026, tabled on Sunday (February 1, 2026), is the ninth consecutive budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament. While the nation eagerly listens to her Budget speeches, all eyes are on the saree she wears on Budget day, showcasing India’s textile heritage and traditional weaves and fabrics. This year, too, her saree garnered interest.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/nirmala-sitharaman-budget-saree-kanjeevaram-2026/article70576745.ece?cx_testId=130&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=2&cx_experienceId=EXPO56ZDYSGX&cx_experienceActionId=showRecommendationsJX0HNZ2RGA4H113

Disability Pension for Armed Forces

It is proposed to provide a specific exemption for disability pension granted to members of the Armed Forces including paramilitary personnel, covering both the service element and the disability element, where the individual has been invalided out of service on account of a bodily disability attributable to, or aggravated by, military, naval or air force service, and to exclude cases of retirement on superannuation or otherwise.