Budget 2026: Unfulfilled Demands from Last Year Set for Potential Fulfillment

• The upcoming Budget 2026, to be presented on February 1, is anticipated to address several unfulfilled demands from the previous year, offering potential relief to the common public and various sectors.
• Key areas where last year's budget fell short include clear policies and tax relief for digital assets and cryptocurrency, and specific regulatory and GST improvements for the medical device industry.
• The education sector's allocation of ₹1.28 lakh crore, though increased, was still below the NEP 2020 target of 6% of GDP, with demands for GST exemption on skilling programs also unmet.
• Middle-class expectations for tax relief, such as LTCG tax reduction, indexation restoration, and income tax slab changes, were largely unaddressed, impacting investment and taxpayer benefits.
• The MSME and manufacturing sectors sought better credit guarantees and reduced regulatory complexities, while climate change preparedness in agriculture received insufficient funding for critical areas like crop protection and water management.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 aims to fulfill last year's unmet demands, focusing on tax relief, sector-specific policies, and economic growth.