Bengaluru, Feb. 1 -- The union Budget 2026 has drawn measured applause and cautious frowns from market watchers, who see in it both ambition and the ever-present caution that defines Indian fiscal governance.
Akshay Gupta, Director of Prime Securities Ltd, described the budget as a tightrope walk between critical infrastructure imperatives and fiscal prudence. He singled out three clear positives: simplification of income tax assessments, rationalisation of TCS and TDS for overseas transactions and NRI property sales, and an unmistakable push into critical minerals, semi-conductors, agri-infrastructure, and fisheries. Yet, he did not shy away from noting the irritants: a rise in STT in derivatives markets, and other regulatory measures lik...