Sitharaman to present the Union Budget in Parliament today:Govt may raise tax-free income limit to ₹13 lakh, hike PM-Kisan payments announce 300 more trains

On Sunday, 1 February, 2026, the Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present it at 11 am. In this budget, the government may make 5 major announcements. It is speculated that income up to ₹13 lakh may be made tax-free for salaried individuals. Also, the prices of gold and silver may decrease due to a reduction in import duty. 5 Major ‘Wishlists’ of the Middle Class Income Tax: In the new tax regime, the standard deduction may be increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1 lakh. This could make income up to ₹13 lakh tax-free for salaried individuals. Kisan Samman Nidhi (Farmer Honor Fund): The amount under the PM-Kisan scheme may be increased from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000. There has been talk of increasing it for the past 2-3 years. Rail Infrastructure: To reduce waiting lists, an announcement of 300+ new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains may be made. The railway may receive its largest fund ever. PM Surya Ghar Yojana: In the budget, an announcement may be made to increase the subsidy on solar systems up to 2 kilowatts (kW) from ₹30,000 per kilowatt to ₹40,000. Ayushman Bharat (Healthcare Scheme): The scope of the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme may be expanded. Currently, senior citizens above 70 years of age are benefiting from this scheme, which may be reduced to 60 years. Poll: What will be the government’s stance on these 5 demands of the middle class? A) The government will fulfill all 5 major wish lists. B) Only the income tax and railway demands will be fulfilled. C) The Kisan Nidhi and solar demands will be fulfilled. D) The government will expand the scope of Ayushman Bharat. E) None will be fulfilled. What will be cheaper and what will be more expensive in the budget? Today, the prices of most things, from the vegetables on your plate to the smartphone in your hand, are determined by the GST Council, not the finance minister. The budget only affects the prices of some goods due to changes in import duties. This time, gold and silver may become cheaper in the budget. The government may reduce the basic customs duty on gold and silver from 6% to 4%. If this happens, gold may become cheaper by about ₹3,000 per 10 grams and silver by ₹6,000.