Budget 2026 Expectations LIVE: FMCG Firms Push for Consumption-Boosting Tax Measures Amid Tight Fiscal Space

FMCG firms are seeking Budget 2026 measures such as GST rationalisation and tax relief to revive and sustain consumer demand. However, experts caution that limited fiscal space may restrict the government’s ability to offer broad consumption-boosting incentives. The sector is closely watching whether the Budget can balance demand support with fiscal discipline

Outlook Business Desk

26 January 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

The Union Budget for FY27 will be presented on Sunday, February 1, by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman. Budget 2026 will mark Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Budget, second only to Morarji Desai, who presented 10 budgets. The Economic Survey will be presented by Chief Economic Advisor Anantha Nageswaran prior to the Budget. The parliamentary session for the Budget will commence on January 28 and continue until April 2.

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26 Jan 2026, 10:51:50 am IST

Budget 2026 Expectations LIVE: Agri-Tech Industry Pushes for Innovation, Exports and Digitisation Support

Agri-tech leaders want Budget 2026 to shift focus from traditional production to an innovation- and market-oriented agricultural model. They are calling for stronger export infrastructure, quality systems and cold chains to boost competitiveness and farmer incomes. The industry also seeks greater digitisation, tailored rural credit and higher investment in R&D to drive farm-level impact and adoption of technology.

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26 Jan 2026, 09:43:31 am IST

Budget 2026 Expectations LIVE: Recycling Industry Seeks GST Relief, Stronger EPR Rules to Boost Sustainable Plastics

Sushil Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman of AVRO India and National President of AIPMFMA, said India’s formal recycling sector is constrained by outdated policies, noting that “high GST on plastic waste, scrap and recycling machinery makes compliant recycling financially uncompetitive.” He said the Budget should “zero-rate GST on plastic waste and recycling equipment and lower GST on recycled plastic granules” to speed up the shift from virgin plastics.

Aggarwal added that “EPR cannot work unless it is clear, stable and fully traceable,” and called for stronger guidelines, along with “a dedicated technology upgradation fund and targeted subsidies” to help recyclers invest, improve efficiency and meet global standards.