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Friday, January 9, 2026
TopicUnion Budget

Topic: Union Budget

Budget session of Parliament to be held 22 July-12 August, Union Budget presentation on 23 July

This will be first full session of Parliament after the new members took oath in the first session of 18th Lok Sabha. Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget.

Ahead of Union Budget, Naidu meets Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks financial aid for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh CM presented a detailed memorandum during a meeting in North Block highlighting projects in the state that require urgent central assistance.

Not enough time left, same fiscal constraints — why July budget maths will be similar to February’s

Leaving interim budget largely unchanged would be in keeping with trend since 2004-05. Even when new parties have come to power, budgetary allocations have not changed substantially.

Funds lying unutilised? Several key health schemes saw allocations slashed for current fiscal

The revised budget estimate for the Union health ministry for 2023-24 is 9.6% lower than the original estimate, reflecting how funds for several schemes were underused by states.

Interim budget continues govt’s focus on capex, allocates more for MNREGA to ease rural distress

Capital expenditure for next FY is achievable but could be challenging given this year's under-achievement. Moreover, rise of interest payments doesn't bode well for quality of expenditure.

Budget skips populism, but has politics all over it. Its blandness shows electoral nonchalance

That giveaways under PM Kisan weren't doubled tells us BJP is confident of winning, thinks things like infra will work instead & isn’t willing to suspend fiscal caution in an election year.

MEA budget sees 35% cut in contributions to international bodies. UN, Nalanda University top list

This comes as India has been calling for reformation of the UN, especially with regards to the composition of its most powerful body, the UN Security Council.

Marginal hike in interim defence budget, but 0.38% contraction compared to revised estimates

Defence budget is 2.09% of the GDP compared to 2.17% this fiscal. While both Army & the Navy failed to spend the full amount allocated to them, the IAF spent more than its allocation.

Interim budget 2024: Big slice of MHA pie to forensics, CCTNS, border areas. CAPFs allocation stagnant

Overall budgetary allocation for MHA saw marginal increase of 3.06% to Rs 2.02 lakh cr from Rs 1.96 lakh cr the previous year.

Tourism industry welcomes FM’s ‘heavy focus on domestic tourism’ in interim budget 2024

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced interest-free loans to states, rating system for tourist centres & projects for island connectivity, infrastructure, adding that this will also create jobs.

On Camera

Why Pinarayi Vijayan is going soft on an Ezhava leader’s anti-Muslim hate speech

Pinarayi Vijayan once called Vellappally Natesan, the general secretary of SNDP Yogam, Kerala’s Pravin Togadia. Now he is giving his hate speech a free pass.

500% tariffs ahead for India? Trump’s lined up a big bad Bill for countries buying Russian oil

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says bill will be 'well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent'.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.