Author: News Desk

From 1 February, new taxation and compliance rules for tobacco products and pan masala will come into force, affecting manufacturers across the country. Under the Health and National Security Cess Act, pan masala units will continue to face a cess on their production capacity, while the total tax burden, including 40% GST, will remain at 88%. Chewing tobacco and jarda-scented tobacco, including gutkha, will attract excise duties of 82% and 91%, respectively. A key change is the introduction of an MRP-based valuation system for tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, filter khaini, jarda-scented tobacco, and gutkha. Under this system, GST…

Fresh details have surfaced in the death of Confident Group Chairman C.J. Roy, who died by suicide in Bengaluru earlier this week. A handwritten death note left behind by Roy has now been accessed exclusively, offering investigators critical insight into the events and concerns that preceded his death. Police officials say the note has become a central piece of evidence in the ongoing probe being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The document is currently under detailed examination as authorities attempt to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to sources familiar with the contents, Roy began the note…

Toni Storm and Juice Robinson, married AEW stars, have not only captured fans’ attention inside the ring but also achieved notable financial success. According to recent reports, their combined net worth is approximately $4 million, reflecting strong careers and broad appeal in professional wrestling. Storm, known for her dynamic presence and multiple reigns as AEW Women’s World Champion, contributes a significant share of the couple’s wealth through her AEW contract, merchandise sales, pay-per-view appearances and brand partnerships. Robinson, wrestling under his ring name in AEW and with work in international promotions, has diversified income streams that include dual contracts and live event earnings. Together, their…

Major Siddharth Rathore (Retd) has carved a remarkable path from being a highly trained Para Special Forces commando in the Indian Army to becoming a security leader in the corporate world. Born in a small town in Rajasthan and influenced by his uncle Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, Rathore chose one of the most demanding paths in the Indian Army, the Parachute Regiment Special Forces, where he became the first officer directly commissioned into the 12th Battalion. For over ten years, he operated in environments that required sharp tactical decision-making, mental resilience and composure under pressure. His training encompassed modern warfare techniques, close-quarters combat and…

The Union Budget 2026, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, received high praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized the strategic vision and broad implications of the fiscal plan for India’s growth and global standing. According to the Prime Minister, this year’s Budget strikes a careful balance between high capital expenditure and sustained economic growth, ensuring that investments in infrastructure, industry, and technology go hand in hand with initiatives to maintain macroeconomic stability. He highlighted that the Budget is designed not only to accelerate India’s current growth trajectory but also to strengthen its position on the global stage, reinforcing…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, amid global uncertainties around U.S. tariffs. The Budget draws a clear distinction between items likely to become cheaper for consumers and areas that could see higher costs. On the relief side, measures aim to lower prices for sports equipment, leather goods, cancer medicines, and seafood through customs exemptions, duty-free imports, and targeted policies, supporting both domestic industries and patients. Cheaper products and support measures: What could become costlier: Trading activities and some corporate cash-distribution routes may see higher costs due to proposed changes in buyback taxation, Securities Transaction Tax (STT), and Tax Collected at Source…

India has launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, aimed at strengthening the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and moving beyond assembly into high-value segments such as semiconductor intellectual property (IP) and raw materials. The mission builds on ISM 1.0 and focuses on producing equipment and materials, developing full-stack Indian IP, reinforcing supply chains, and establishing industry-led research and training centers to foster technological innovation and a skilled workforce. Alongside ISM 2.0, the government announced customs duty exemptions to support related industries. TV equipment, cameras, and other instruments imported by foreign film or TV units for shooting will be exempt from April 1. Similarly, parts used in video…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, outlined a major push to transform women’s livelihoods from credit-based support to full enterprise ownership, building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme. The government will launch She MARTS, professionally managed, community-owned retail outlets run by women-led self-help groups. These cluster-level outlets aim to provide rural products a premium platform, strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship, expand market access for women-made goods, and create sustainable livelihoods within communities. Sitharaman emphasized that this initiative marks a shift from simply providing small loans or basic survival support to enabling women to become decision-makers and…

Union Budget 2026–27 places strong emphasis on strengthening India’s traditional wellness and healthcare systems. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced initiatives to expand Ayurveda, yoga, mental health services, and allied healthcare education, while positioning India as a global medical tourism hub. Key proposals include training 1.5 lakh caregivers in yoga and Ayurveda, establishing three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, and introducing ten new allied health disciplines to train one lakh professionals over the next five years. The budget also plans upgrades for AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing labs and aims to promote exports of Ayurveda products. To boost medical tourism,…

FM Sitharaman lists ‘three Kartavyas’ This is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, inspired by three Kartavyas: Income Tax 2026 Highlights Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget on Sunday, announced that the new Income Tax Act will come into effect from April 1, 2026, replacing the six-decade-old tax law. Despite expectations, there are no changes to income tax slabs this year. Key Changes Announced Income Tax Slabs 2026 New Tax Regime: Old Tax Regime: Rebate and Deductions Choosing the Right Regime Switching Regimes Tax Planning Examples FY 2025-26 Surcharge and Cess Bottom LineThe choice between the old and new tax regime…