Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she is preparing reforms aimed at easing business compliance while leaning on strong domestic consumption to help India weather global risks. She also pointed to the growing cybersecurity challenge posed by advanced AI models, signaling government action to protect industry. Sitharaman added that the reform push will continue to support manufacturing and overall growth for India Inc.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will shield vulnerable groups, with a focus on farmers struggling with rising costs. She urged Indian businesses to invest and expand capacity while warning that AI is both promising and disruptive. The minister also indicated discussions are underway on advanced AI models and cybersecurity, and confirmed the strategic sale of IDBI Bank will proceed.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promised support for farmers hit by rising input costs, while urging India Inc to expand capacity and share what it needs to invest more. She acknowledged concerns around capital outflows and reiterated India’s readiness for reforms. She also flagged ongoing engagement with the US and Anthropic on AI model risks, and said the strategic sale of IDBI Bank will proceed.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged the financial sector to be exceptionally vigilant on cybersecurity, warning that advanced AI tools are accelerating cyberattacks and making them increasingly difficult to detect. She said defenses must evolve faster than attackers. Sitharaman also called for common KYC norms and a principles-based regulatory approach to support market growth while protecting investors.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2026 with a clear push toward higher capital expenditure while keeping personal income tax slabs unchanged. The Budget also offers targeted positives for NRIs, positioning the government’s roadmap around investment-led growth without altering tax brackets for individuals. The mix of capex momentum and stability in taxation is the standout takeaway.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s “terrorist” remark about PM Narendra Modi “atrocious,” saying it marks a new low for the party. Kharge later clarified he was referring to Modi allegedly “terrorizing” opponents via central agencies, not labeling him a terrorist. Union minister Piyush Goyal joined the backlash, accusing the Gandhi family of choking democracy.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India’s growth is being sustained by domestic consumption and that predictable policy support is crucial to keep GDP momentum steady. She also flagged work underway to review the “open architecture” framework for banks selling third-party products, stressing that even as digitalization accelerates, banks must prioritize strong customer connect.
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