LUCKNOW: The Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday drew mixed reactions from the top echelons of Uttar Pradesh politics, with chief minister Yogi Adityanath terming it a welfare-oriented blueprint for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav rebuking it as an “invisible ledger” of the BJP’s corruption.In a post on X in Hindi, Adityanath said, “On the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima and the birth anniversary of Sadguru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, the Union Budget 2026-27, presented today by the Hon’ble Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an inspiring blueprint for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“This Budget will provide opportunities to the youth, security to farmers, encouragement to entrepreneurs, relief to the middle class, and respect to the labourers.” This was the third Budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.The chief minister said the Budget announcements would give a new impetus to innovation, manufacturing and employment, while strengthening agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, tourism, culture and the country’s knowledge traditions, “thus realising the mantra of ‘Development with Heritage'”.“Under the guidance of the prime minister, the foundation for an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ has been further strengthened by supporting MSMEs, startups and indigenous production. We are confident that this Budget, through social justice, inclusive development and good governance, will pave the way for the India of today and tomorrow,” Adityanath said, thanking the prime minister and the finance minister for a “visionary” “welfare-oriented” Budget.Samajwadi Party chief president Akhilesh Yadav, however, launched a sharp attack on the Centre, saying the Budget is meant to aid the BJP’s own people and commissions, calling it an “invisible ledger” of its corruption.Taking to X, Yadav said, “The result of the BJP’s Budget is out – the stock market has crashed. We already said that the question was not whether the stock market would open on Sunday, but how much more it would fall.” Reiterating that there was no reason to expect anything positive from the Budget, the former chief minister said, “When there is no hope from the BJP government, what can be expected from its Budget?” Yadav also said the Samajwadi Party considers every BJP budget as a “1/20th Budget” as it caters to only 5 per cent of the population.“The BJP’s Budget is meant for its own people and commissions. It is an invisible ledger of its corruption,” he alleged.Yadav also said the Budget neither mentioned nor cared for the common people, flagging the “failure” to provide tax relief to the public despite soaring inflation as “tax exploitation”.In a lengthy post, Yadav claimed that while multiple concessions have been given to the businesses and leisure activities of the rich, the plate of expectations of those struggling with joblessness and unemployment remained empty.“This is a disappointing and condemnable Budget,” he claimed.Reacting to the Budget, Uttar Pradesh Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “It focuses on youth and women empowerment, job creation, and strengthening education and healthcare. With sound policies and a results-oriented vision, the Budget firmly propels us towards the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.” “From manufacturing to infrastructure, healthcare to tourism, rural economy to AI, sports to pilgrimage – the Budget opens up vast opportunities in every sector.“The allocation of two crucial high-speed rail corridors to Uttar Pradesh – Varanasi-Delhi and Varanasi-Siliguri – out of the seven planned corridors, will give a new direction to the state’s connectivity, investment and development,” Maurya said.

India’s Ishan Kishan (PTI Photo)

Thiruvananthapuram: Opportunity in international cricket rarely arrives gift-wrapped. More often, it comes on the back of someone else’s misfortune, demanding to be seized without hesitation. Tilak Varma’s injury did precisely that for Ishan Kishan. Given a full series to press his claim, Kishan turned every outing into a statement. A brutal 76 off 32 in Raipur set the tone, a whirlwind 28 off 13 in Guwahati kept the momentum, and then came the crescendo at Thiruvananthapuram — a thunderous 103 off 43 balls — his maiden T20I century on Sanju Samson’s home turf. By the time the series against New Zealand was wrapped up, Kishan wasn’t auditioning anymore; he was occupying the role.

In a format where hesitation is fatal, Kishan’s decisiveness is his biggest strength. There is, of course, a caveat. If he opens with Abhishek Sharma at the showpiece event, it would mean two left-handers at the top, potentially leaving India with six left-hand batters in the top eight if Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel all play. On paper, that imbalance matters. In practice, the gulf between Kishan and his competitors has grown too wide for it to be a deal-breaker. The subtext told its own story. In the fifth T20I, Kishan walked out wearing the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified it was pre-planned. “We had decided before the series that Sanju would keep in three games and Ishan in two,” he said. But optics matter in elite sport. Kishan had an off day behind the stumps, but it didn’t hurt India in Thiruvananthapuram. In contrast, Samson’s walk back after a six-ball stay on Saturday had a familiar air of disbelief — the bat dangling, the eyes searching for answers. Over time, his footwork has drifted into a pattern that is now being ruthlessly exposed. Where modern greats like Rohit Sharma press forward — a subtle front-foot trigger that keeps both sides of the field in play — Samson does the opposite. Instead of going back and across, he goes back and towards the leg side. This movement narrows his options. By setting up so leg-side dominant, Samson is effectively preparing for one half of the field. Anything on his pads, anything he can whip or flick. But when the ball is delivered on middle and off, he’s suddenly chasing it, bat fishing outside the line of his body. That’s when timing deserts him. Control goes missing. And the outside edge comes into play. Lockie Ferguson didn’t need trickery. Extra pace, a hard length, and a ball angled outside off. Samson, already moving leg-side, had to manufacture a shot. The result was predictable: a thick edge and a forlorn walk back to the pavilion. Forty-six runs from five games tell a sorry tale. Kishan, meanwhile, has marched straight through, having all but sealed the wicketkeeper’s slot for the T20 World Cup.

The government has unveiled a targeted manufacturing push centred on seven strategic and frontier sectors, positioning them as key drivers of job creation, domestic value addition and long-term industrial competitiveness.Presenting the proposals, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the strategy is anchored in accelerating growth through focused industrial interventions.

“Under our first kartavya to accelerate and sustain economic growth, I propose interventions in six areas, including scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors,” she said.The seven sectors identified for focused scaling include biopharmaceuticals, semiconductors, electronics components, rare earth magnets, chemicals, capital goods manufacturing and textiles.

Biopharma SHAKTI programme

Announcing a major healthcare manufacturing push, the finance minister said, “To develop India as a global Biopharma manufacturing hub, I propose the Biopharma SHAKTI with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crores over the next five years.”The programme will focus on building domestic biologics and biosimilars manufacturing, expanding pharmaceutical education capacity and creating a network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites.

Semiconductors: Expanding mission to full supply chain

Building on existing semiconductor efforts, she said, “We will launch ISM 2.0 to produce equipment and materials, design full-stack Indian IP, and fortify supply chains.”The plan also includes industry-led research and training centres to build technology and workforce capabilities.

Electronics components: Outlay expansion to build domestic ecosystem

The government will expand support for electronics component manufacturing, with the finance minister noting, “The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme… already has investment commitments at double the target. We propose to increase the outlay to Rs 40,000 crore to capitalise on the momentum.”

Rare earth magnets: Dedicated corridors planned

The government will support mineral-rich states to develop domestic rare earth ecosystems.“We propose to support… dedicated Rare Earth Corridors to promote mining, processing, research and manufacturing,” she said.

Chemicals: New chemical parks through cluster model

To cut import dependence in industrial inputs, the government will launch a new chemical manufacturing push.“We will launch a Scheme to support States in establishing three dedicated Chemical Parks… on a cluster-based plug-and-play model,” she said.

Capital goods: Tool rooms, equipment manufacturing and container ecosystem

The Budget outlines multiple measures to deepen industrial equipment manufacturing. “Strong capital goods capability is a determinant of productivity and quality across different sectors,” the finance minister said.The plan includes hi-tech tool rooms, construction and infrastructure equipment manufacturing support, and a container manufacturing ecosystem with Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years.

Textiles: Integrated programme across fibre, clusters and skills

For labour-intensive job creation, the government has proposed a multi-part textile push covering fibre self-reliance, cluster modernisation, sustainability and skilling through Samarth 2.0 and Mega Textile Parks.

Champion MSMEs: New growth fund and risk capital support

The government announced a targeted MSME growth financing strategy.“Recognising MSMEs as a vital engine of growth, I propose a three-pronged approach to help them grow as ‘Champions’,” the finance minister said.As part of this, the government will launch a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund aimed at supporting high-potential MSMEs and incentivising enterprises based on defined performance and scale criteria.The government will also strengthen micro enterprise funding support. “I also propose to top up the Self-Reliant India Fund set up in 2021, with Rs 2,000 crore to continue support to micro enterprises and maintain their access to risk capital,” she said.The overall manufacturing strategy, the finance minister said, reflects the government’s broader reform direction.“The Reform Express is well on its way and will maintain its momentum to help us fulfil our kartavya,” she said.

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (File photo)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday warned the United States’ Middle East allies that any potential US attack on the Islamic Republic would trigger a regional war, amid heightened tensions between the two countries following deadly domestic protests in Iran. Speaking at a legislative session, Khamenei told Iranians they “should not be scared” of US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” he said.The warning follows Trump’s threats in response to Tehran’s crackdown on mass demonstrations that began in December over the high cost of living and evolved into a broader anti-government movement. Khamenei described the protests as orchestrated by the United States and Israel, calling them “riots.” “They (rioters) attacked the police, government centres, IRGC centres, banks, and mosques, and burned the Koran… It was like a coup,” he added, saying that “the coup was suppressed.”Tehran has acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the protests, stating most were security personnel and innocent bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts.” Rights groups and foreign governments, however, have accused Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of killing thousands of protesters. In retaliation for the European Union’s (EU) designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, Iranian lawmakers on Sunday labelled the armies of the EU member states as terrorist groups. Lawmakers donned the Guards’ green uniform and chanted “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and “Shame on you, Europe,” according to state television. Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf slammed the EU’s “irresponsible action,” citing “Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation,” which allows Iran to classify the armed forces of European countries as terrorist groups. The immediate impact of the move is unclear.Sunday’s session coincided with the 47th anniversary of the return from exile of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic in 1979. The IRGC, the ideological arm of Iran’s military, is tasked with safeguarding the revolution from “external and internal threats.”The EU’s designation follows similar classifications by the United States, Canada, and Australia. Last June, Iran and Israel fought a 12-day war after Israel targeted Iranian nuclear-linked sites, with the US intervening on Israel’s behalf. The conflict ended after Trump mediated a truce, though regional tensions remain high.(With AFP inputs)

India’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have gathered momentum with the inclusion of Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya in the India A squad for a series of crucial warm-up matches. The move underlines the team management’s intent to closely assess emerging talent ahead of the global showpiece, which begins on February 7.

India A warm-up matches Scheduled in Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru

India A are slated to play two preparatory games as part of the World Cup build-up. They will face the United States of America in Navi Mumbai on February 2, followed by a clash against Namibia in Bengaluru on February 6. These matches are designed to give fringe players valuable exposure while also helping the senior team fine-tune combinations ahead of the tournament.

The warm-up fixtures will serve as an audition window for youngsters hoping to push their case for future international opportunities, especially in the shortest format.

Ayush Badoni continues steady rise in Indian cricket

Badoni’s selection comes on the back of consistent performances across formats. The right-handed batter has previously represented India A in four-day and List A cricket, gaining a reputation for composure and adaptability. Earlier this month, he earned his maiden senior India call-up for the ODI series against New Zealand, a clear indication that the selectors are closely monitoring his progress.

His inclusion in the India A squad reflects the confidence the selectors have in his ability to handle high-pressure situations, particularly as India look to strengthen their middle-order depth in white-ball cricket.

Priyansh Arya rewarded for his white-ball performances

Priyansh Arya, meanwhile, continues his upward trajectory in the domestic circuit. Unlike Badoni, Arya’s exposure at the ‘A’ level has so far been limited to white-ball formats. However, his aggressive approach and consistency in domestic T20 and List A competitions have earned him another opportunity to impress the national selectors.

The upcoming warm-up games could be pivotal for Arya as he looks to establish himself as a long-term prospect in India’s T20 plans.

Also READ: Yuzvendra Chahal reacts joking after ‘Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 3’ poster links him with RJ Mahvash, Shefali Bagga and Dhanashree Verma

Tilak Varma set for comeback after injury layoff

In a major boost for India’s World Cup preparations, Tilak Varma is expected to be available for the warm-up matches after receiving clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence. The Hyderabad batter has been sidelined for nearly a month following surgery for an abdominal injury sustained during the Ranji Trophy.

The BCCI earlier confirmed that Tilak has resumed physical training and is making steady progress with his rehabilitation. His return will provide India with added stability at the top of the order.

Tilak is scheduled to join the squad in Mumbai on February 3. He is set to feature for India A in the warm-up game against the USA at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 2, before linking up with the senior India squad for another warm-up fixture against South Africa on February 4 at the same venue.

Also READ: Fans applaud Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh after India crush New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram T20I to seal series 4-1

Photo credit: PTI

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today presented the Union Budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2026-27. The announcements includes significant measures for accelerating the growth of India’s Electronics and Information Technology Sector. In a major push to attract global data centre investments, the government has proposed a 20-year tax holiday for foreign companies providing cloud services from India. Announcing the measure in her Budget 2026 speech, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the incentive is aimed at drawing long-term capital and strengthening India’s rapidly expanding data centre ecosystem. Here are the 8 biggest announcements related to technology in the Union Budget 2026:Launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 The Finance Minister announced the launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 to produce equipment and materials, design full stack Indian IP, and fortify supply chains. The focus will be on industry led research and training centres to develop technology and skilled workforce. Provision of Rs. 1,000 crores has been made towards this for FY 2026-27. ISM 1.0 has expanded India’s semiconductor sector capabilities and ISM 2.0 will build on the same.

Outlay of Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) increasedUnion Budget 2026 proposes to increase the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), launched in April 2025. The scheme launched with an outlay of 722,919 crore. It has now been proposed to increase the outlay to Rs 40,000 crore to capitalize on the momentum.Companies offering IT service to be clubbed under single categoryRecognising India as a global leader in software development services, Budget 2026 proposes a common category for all companies offering IT services, this includes IT-enabled services, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) services and contract R&D services relating to software development. Acknowledging the inter-connectedness of these business segments, the Budget has proposed to club all these services under a single category called ‘Information Technology Services’ A common safe harbour margin of 15.5 percent will be applicable to all.New Safe Harbour provisions for IT companiesIn order to support the IT sector as India’s growth engine and to provide tax certainty, Budget 2026-27 has proposed new safe harbour provisions for IT/ITeS companies. The threshold for availing safe harbour for IT services is also proposed to be enhanced substantially from 300 crore rupees to 2,000 crore rupees. FM said that Safe harbour for IT services shall be approved by an automated rule-driven process without any need for a tax officer to examine and accept the application. Once applied by an IT Services company, the same safe harbour can be continued for a period of 5 years at a stretch at its choice.Further, for IT services companies who want to conclude Advance Pricing Agreement (APA), it was proposed to fast track the Unilateral APA process for IT services and endeavour to conclude it within a period of 2 years. The period of 2 years can be extended by a further period of 6 months on taxpayer’s request. Moreover, it is proposed to extend the facility of modified returns available to the entity entering APA to its associated entities also.Offers tax holiday till 2047 to foreign companies who provide Cloud services from data centres in IndiaRecognising the need to enable critical infrastructure and boost investment in data centres, Budget 2026-27 has also proposed to provide tax holiday till the year 2047 to any foreign company that provides cloud services to customers globally by using data centre services from India. The company will, however, need to provide services to Indian customers through an Indian reseller entity. Further, a safe harbour of 15 percent on cost has also been proposed in case the company providing data centre services from India is a related entity. The provision is likely to benefit foreign cloud companies structuring their India operations through group entities by offering tax certainty and operational efficiency.Content Creator Labs across schools and collegesBudget underscores India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector as a growing industry projected to require 2 million professionals by 2030.The Union Budget proposes to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai in setting up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges in furtherance of India’s Orange economy.‘Bharat-VISTAAR’, a multilingual AI tool to enhance farm productivity announcedThe Union budget proposes ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’(Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources)—a multilingual AI tool that shall integrate the AgriStack portals and the ICAR package on agricultural practices with AI systems. This will enhance farm productivity, will lead to better farmer decision making and reduce risk through customized advisory support for the farmer.

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