Budget 2026–27
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha, marking her ninth consecutive budget. She termed it Yuva Shakti-driven, highlighting poverty reduction and improved living standards as key achievements.

Three Kartavya Vision
Sitharaman said this year’s budget is inspired by three Kartavya: accelerating economic growth, building people’s capacity, and ensuring resources and opportunities for every family and community. She called it a blueprint for inclusive development.

Biopharma Shakti Mission
Finance Minister Sitharaman announced the launch of Biopharma Shakti with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore to develop India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub within five years, strengthening healthcare innovation and industry.

Textile Sector Boost
For the labour-intensive textile sector, Sitharaman announced the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative to strengthen khadi, handloom, and handicrafts, aiming to empower rural artisans and promote traditional industries.

Income Tax Act 2025
Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into force from April 1, 2026. Presenting the Union Budget, she said simplified rules and forms will be notified shortly, giving taxpayers adequate time to familiarize themselves with the new requirements. She has kept the tax slabs unchanged.

Banking Sector Review
Highlighting financial robustness, the Finance Minister announced a High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat to review the sector comprehensively, ensuring stability, inclusion, and consumer protection.

Odisha Roadmap
Union Budget 2026–27 outlines a transformative roadmap for Odisha, with rare earth corridors to boost mining, National Waterway-5 linking industrial hubs to Paradip and Dhamra ports, and turtle trails to promote eco-tourism.

Leaders Hail Budget
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Union Budget 2026–27 as historic, strengthening Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Home Minister Amit Shah called it a blueprint for empowering every sector and citizen, while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said it will boost education and employment creation.

Air Marshal Walia
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command. Commissioned in 1988, he is a decorated officer with expertise across MiG and Su-30 aircraft.

Finance Commission Report
Sitharaman tabled the 16th Finance Commission report in the Lok Sabha, recommending tax revenue devolution between Centre and states for 2026–2031, under Article 280 of the Constitution.

India Win T20I Series
India clinched the five-match T20I series against New Zealand 4–1, winning the final clash by 46 runs in Thiruvananthapuram. Ishan Kishan scored 103 runs, while Suryakumar Yadav added 63.