Budget 2026 has taken center stage as the government tries to balance relief for common citizens with long-term economic goals. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget in Parliament, placing strong focus on healthcare, manufacturing, and future-ready sectors.
While several announcements bring direct relief to households, some changes may pinch investors and specific industries. Here is a clear and simple breakdown of what Budget 2026 means for everyday people.
Budget 2026: What Has Become Cheaper?
Healthcare has emerged as the biggest winner in Budget 2026. The government has removed customs duty on 17 life-saving cancer medicines, which is expected to reduce treatment costs significantly. This move has been widely welcomed, especially by middle-class families.
Other items likely to get cheaper include:
- Diabetes medicines
- Mobile phone batteries and kitchen ovens
- Air turbine fuel (ATF), which could lower the cost of international air travel
- Solar-related equipment
- Leather products such as footwear and accessories
These steps aim to reduce daily expenses while also supporting clean energy and domestic manufacturing.
Budget 2026: What Will Cost More?
Not everything comes with relief. Some products and activities will now attract higher taxes or duties:
- Alcohol prices are expected to rise
- Minerals and scrap materials will become costlier
- Stock market trading will be more expensive
The Securities Transaction Tax (STT) has been increased from 0.02% to 0.05%, making futures and options (F&O) trading costlier for active market participants.
Budget 2026 at a Glance: Cheaper vs Costlier
| Cheaper After Budget 2026 | Costlier After Budget 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cancer & diabetes medicines | Alcohol |
| Mobile batteries | Minerals & scrap |
| Air travel fuel (ATF) | Share trading (higher STT) |
| Solar equipment | F&O trading |
| Leather products |
Beyond prices, Budget 2026 outlines targeted support for six key sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, advanced technology, and strategic border areas. The goal is to boost industrial capacity and strengthen the vision of a self-reliant India.
Also Read: Gold Rate Today 1 February 2026: Gold Prices Slide Sharply Ahead of Union Budget
Budget 2026 offers meaningful relief to households, especially in healthcare, but asks investors and certain sectors to shoulder higher costs.
Yogesh Kolhe is a business and market news writer covering the share market, company earnings, and gold and silver price movements, with a strong focus on the automobile sector. A Mechanical Engineering graduate with 5 years of share market experience, he provides data-driven, reliable insights into market and industry trends.
