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Nirmala Sitharaman

Economy and Finance

Ease of doing business, simplifying regulations, boosting domestic manufacturing and more: Here are the major reforms that are expected in Budget 2026

OpIndia Staff - 1 February, 2026

Officials are calling the budget's main theme 'Reform Express' inside the finance ministry. The idea is to focus on long-term structural changes rather than short-term populist measures. This includes simplifying regulations, improving ease of doing business and strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity.

Union Budget set to break 75-year tradition as Nirmala Sitharaman prepares big picture vision: Read what makes this year’s Union Budget different

OpIndia Staff - 31 January, 2026

This year’s Union Budget is poised to mark a quiet but consequential departure from a convention that has held firm for nearly 75 years....

News Reports

Fastest growing economy, robust exports, expanding service sector and more: Economic Survey 26 highlights India’s impressive growth story amid global challenges and US tariffs

Rukma Rathore - 30 January, 2026

The country remains the fastest-growing major economy for the fourth year in a row, according to the economic survey.

PM Modi hails 19-year-old vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe for completing rare 2000-mantra ‘Dandakrama Parayanam’

OpIndia Staff - 2 December, 2025

Performed in Varanasi after two centuries, Devvrat Rekhe’s rigorous 2000-mantra Dandakrama Parayanam earned national recognition, with PM Modi and Nirmala Sitharaman lauding the young vedamurti for his discipline, purity of recitation and extraordinary Vedic dedication.

News Reports

Sansad Winter Session: Ahead of tobacco cess expiry, FM Nirmala Sitharaman to table Bill ensuring current high tax burden continues

OpIndia Staff - 1 December, 2025

As the GST compensation cess nears its end, the government plans a replacement mechanism through a new public health and national security cess, supported by amendments to the Central Excise Act to maintain revenue from tobacco products.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches nationwide campaign ‘Aapki Punji, Aapka Adhikar’: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff - 4 October, 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday (4th October) launched a national campaign of awareness titled 'Aapki Punji, Aapka Adhikar' (Your Money, Your Right) at...

News Reports

GST Council announces major tax cuts on electronics items, bringing down GST on TVs, ACs, dishwashers and others from 28% to 18% ahead of...

OpIndia Staff - 4 September, 2025

The GST Council has reduced tax rates on key electronics, including TVs above 32 inches, ACs, dishwashers, and monitors, from 28% to 18%.

News Reports

GST reforms in healthcare: 18% GST on health and life insurance removed, 33 life-saving drugs will also be tax-free, medical items to attract only...

OpIndia Staff - 4 September, 2025

GST on 33 life-saving drugs and medicines has been brought down from 12% to zero, offering significant relief to patients who rely on these medicines.

News Reports