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Thursday, February 19, 2026
TopicBudget 2024

Topic: Budget 2024

A new, important disclosure in 2024 Budget went unnoticed. It conveys caution to future govts

The message of caution is necessary because govts in the past have often shown a tendency to indulge in fiscal jugglery to hide the actual extent of their fiscal deficit.

India’s fiscal imbalance isn’t a North vs South problem. Here’s what lies at the ‘centre’ of it

India has a large vertical fiscal gap, which has been increasing. The reason is that while the Constitution assigns the most buoyant taxation powers to the Union, it allocates more spending responsibilities to the states.

Nobody knows what Narendra Modi is thinking. Surely, he must sense the tide is turning

As the discontentment mounts, the crucial question remains: what is the PM thinking? He is a shrewd politician so he must have a long-term strategy. But no one can figure out what it is.

Govt’s Rs 1000 cr fund for space sector has drawbacks. It should bet on outcomes, not ideas

Government as an anchor customer provides a stable source of demand for space-based services, reducing uncertainties in the market. It can boost investor confidence in the Indian space sector, attracting investments from home and abroad.

Our take on UPSC aspirants’ death & delay in Tejas jets delivery — in 50 words

ThePrint view on the most important issues this week.

After uproar over hike in Budget, govt reverts to 10% customs duty on lab chemicals, with 1 condition

The condition is that importers now have to give an undertaking that they will only supply labs. How this affects the supply chain remains to be seen.

After 10 years, Modi has accepted the Indian political consensus: ignore the middle class

The middle class, though largely loyal to the BJP, now has other options. The angry reaction to Budget 2024 shows how they feel betrayed.

SubscriberWrites: How does Indian govt’s FY24-25 budget propose to address challenges of unemployment & inequality

The 2024-25 budget aims to tackle unemployment with 7 initiatives, including wage support, employment incentives, skilling programs, women's workforce participation & education loans.

‘It takes 2 hands to clap’ — Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal joins chorus of voices slamming pvt sector

At a post-budget conference, the minister took industry leaders to task for not cooperating with govt. Last week, Economic Survey & govt officials had also criticised private sector.

Budget failed healthcare—should’ve boosted private hospitals in PMJAY with tax incentives

Of 43,000 private hospitals in India, only 30% are empanelled under PMJAY. As the Centre prepares to expand the scheme to include senior citizens, this could become a problem.

On Camera

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has debts to pay

London: Just when you thought former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could sink no lower, fresh evidence shows that indeed he did. King Charles’ troublesome younger brother...

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.