Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Will FM Sitharaman Align Budget with Economic Survey’s Policy Recommendations? Key Demands, Tax Relief Hopes and Policy Focus
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Budget 2026 Live Updates: Will Cryptocurrency Taxation See Clear Guidelines?
As cryptocurrency trading gains momentum in India, a key question remains unresolved: how is the location of your cryptocurrency determined for tax purposes?
According to the Taxmann Budget 2026 expectations report, "To assess the taxability of income earned by a non-resident from transferring a Virtual Digital Asset (VDA), it is essential to establish the situs of the VDA. If the situs is in India, any income from its transfer by a non-resident will be taxable in India."
The report also indicates that India might adopt a framework similar to the UK’s HMRC guidance, which states, "Throughout the period an individual is a UK resident, the exchange tokens they beneficially own are considered located in the UK." Simply put, the situs of the asset aligns with the holder’s residency.
Budget 2026 Expectations Live: Experts Urge Increase in ₹2 Lakh PAN–Aadhaar Limit Amid Rising Gold Prices
With gold prices soaring, experts say the existing ₹2 lakh PAN–Aadhaar spending limit, set in 2016, no longer reflects current market realities. They recommend raising this threshold in Budget 2026 to ease compliance for regular buyers and small jewellers, while maintaining transparency for high-value transactions.
Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: TDS Relief on Interest Income May Help Boost Bank Deposits
As expectations build around Budget 2026, easing tax-related friction on savings is emerging as a key demand from both depositors and banks. With lenders struggling to mobilise deposits, a reduction in TDS on interest earned from savings and term deposits could provide much-needed relief.
“Since banks are facing challenges in mobilising deposits, reducing TDS on interest from savings and term deposits would support CASA deposit growth and encourage account holders to maintain higher balances in their bank accounts,” said Siddarth Bhamre, Head of Institutional Research at Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates Limited.
Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Will Health Insurance Coverage Be Expanded?
Healthcare spending has been rising steadily, and Budget 2026 could bring meaningful changes by expanding health insurance coverage. Such measures may influence how individuals plan their medical insurance in the coming years.
According to Bajaj Broking’s Budget 2026 preview, there could be an “expansion of health insurance schemes to cover more people and more types of medical treatments.”
However, the report also cautions that “while increased spending is positive for the sector generally, private hospitals might face pressure on their profit margins if they are required to offer more services at government-set rates.”
Budget 2026 Expectations Live: Budget 2026 Should Raise Home Loan Interest Deduction to ₹3 Lakh, Review Key Tax Deductions
With the increasing shift towards the new tax regime, several deductions and exemptions under the Income Tax Act, 1961 have gradually lost relevance. Nearly 72% of taxpayers opted for the new regime while filing returns for AY 2024–25.
Although popular deductions are unavailable under this system, revised income tax slabs and rates have eased the overall tax burden for many. Experts now believe Budget 2026 should revisit limits such as home loan interest and Section 80C to align them with today’s rising costs.Budget 2026 Expectations Live: Focus on Strategic Disinvestment
“Strategic disinvestment has progressed in a calibrated manner over recent years. Since 2016, in-principle approval has been accorded for strategic disinvestment for 36 CPSEs, of which 13 transactions have been completed, with the remainder at various stages of implementation. During FY26, approvals were also accorded for stake dilution or exit from select joint ventures, including NTPC’s divestment from Utility Powertech Limited. These actions were complemented by governance reforms that empowered CPSE Boards to undertake the closure, merger, or disinvestment of subsidiaries.
Going forward, receipts from equity monetisation can be strengthened by selectively reducing Government equity in certain CPSEs beyond the minimum public shareholding norms, guided by market conditions and enterprise-specific factors,” says the Economic Survey.Budget 2026 Expectations Live: What Lies Beyond PSU Recapitalisation
“With credit expansion continuing to be robust yet lopsided, the Budget 2026 is therefore likely to favour credit flow to less penetrated sectors as opposed to headline recapitalisation of the banks. The focus of policy will probably be on credit guarantee improvements, lending credit to MSMEs risk-sharing, and enhancing recoveries under IBC. In our view, the quality of transmission of credit is much more important than raising balance sheets. The next banking cycle will be characterised by sustainable credit growth,” says Akhilesh Pandey, Partner & Practice Leader, Financial Due Diligence, BDO India. He highlights the potential impact, including improved credit allocation, lower NPAs, and a stronger lending cycle.Budget 2026 Expectations Live: What the Insurance Industry Is Looking For
India’s insurance sector is growing fast thanks to new regulations and technology. With the FDI limit raised to 100% and the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, the focus is on increasing insurance access. For Budget 2026, the industry hopes for more support for tech-driven distribution like digital tools, API partnerships, and local agents. These changes will help reach more people, especially in underserved areas, with affordable insurance.