Budget 2026: Market Mood Sours, Investors Lose ₹9 Lakh Crore on Budget Day

• Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn on Budget day, with Nifty falling by nearly 500 points and Sensex by over 1500 points.
• The total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies plunged by over ₹9 lakh crore due to the market decline.
• Proposed increase in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options, from 0.02% to 0.05% and 0.1% to 0.15% respectively, was a major factor.
• Higher-than-expected government borrowing raised concerns about rising bond yields, negatively impacting PSU banks due to their bond holdings.
• Public sector banks, metal, and other key sectors saw sharp declines, with small and mid-cap stocks also facing significant pressure.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 proposals, particularly STT hike and borrowing concerns, led to a massive market sell-off.