Archive: February 1, 2026

Union Budget 2026 : Comment by Mr. Prerrit Mansingh, Secretary, Aayom Welfare Society

Mr. Prerrit Mansingh, Secretary of Aayom Welfare Society 

“Support for the SMEs, infrastructure investments in Tier-2 and 3 cities, and attention to emerging technologies like AI toward job creation and skill development are strategic and growth-oriented moves. The focus on youth with skill-building, along with provisions for elderly care, animal welfare, and greater access to women to essential services and education are commendable.From a civil society perspective, the real test will be how effectively these initiatives reach to the people on ground. Meaningful partnerships, strong and strategic implementation, and fair access through community-based and grassroots organizations will be essential to ensure that growth translates into lasting impact. This year’s budget laid out a clear push for economic growth along with the importance of inclusion.”

REIT Monetization and Infrastructure Spend Signal Positive Momentum for Real Estate in Budget 2026–27

 By:-  Mr. Amit Chopra, President- NAR India 

“The Union Budget 2026–27 introduces measures relevant to real estate, particularly across asset monetization, infrastructure spending, and transaction ease. The proposal to use REITs for monetizing Central Public Sector Enterprise assets is expected to unlock value from underutilized government land and attract institutional capital. Continued capital expenditure on infrastructure and urban connectivity may support demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets. The removal of the TAN requirement for NRI property sales simplifies compliance, while tourism-focused initiatives could benefit hospitality-led real estate. However, expectations such as higher home loan interest deductions, a revised affordable housing definition, and industry status for real estate remain unaddressed and may require further policy attention.”

Budget 2026 Quote Rajeev Radhakrishnan, CFA, CIO – Fixed Income, SBI Mutual Fund

By Mr. Rajeev Radhakrishnan, CFA, CIO – Fixed Income, SBI Mutual Fund on Budget announcement

The overall gross and net borrowing numbers, along with the lack of any specific measures to address demand for bonds, will clearly weigh on market yields. Effectively, even as broader fiscal consolidation measures and the reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio are long-term positives, the bond market in the near term will continue to depend on RBI’s open market operations to anchor yields. This remains a challenge and could keep yields elevated relative to underlying macroeconomic numbers.

Union Budget 2026 Reactions on Direct Taxation & Personal Finance

Inputs on behalf of Mr. Dhruv Chopra, Managing Partner, Dewan PN Chopra & Co. 

Direct Taxation:

“In a move aimed at enhancing taxpayer convenience and reducing compliance-related stress, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed extending the time limit for revising income tax returns from 31st December to 31st March, subject to payment of a nominal fee. She further announced a staggered approach to return filing timelines to ensure smoother compliance. Under the proposal, individuals filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 will continue to have a deadline of 31st July, while non-audit business cases and trusts will be permitted additional time, with a revised deadline of 31st August. The measures are intended to ease the filing process, improve accuracy, and distribute compliance workload more evenly.”

Simplified TDS process for NRI property sales:

“FM has proposed that TDS on the sale of immovable property by non-residents will now be deducted and deposited through resident buyers using their PAN-based challan, eliminating the need for a TAN (temporary accounting number) and simplifying compliance. Accordingly, the tds will be lower than existing rates of 20%\12.5% depending on different facts. This will bring much relief to NRIs on assets they have inherited in India as ease exit process while protecting revenue and ensuring compliance for the department.”

Inputs on behalf of Ms. Sofiya Syed, Senior Consultant, Direct Tax, Dewan PN Chopra & Co.

“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a five-year income tax exemption for non-residents supplying capital goods and equipment to domestic manufacturers operating in bonded zones. The measure is aimed at attracting global suppliers, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and boosting investments in high-value industrial infrastructure.”

JSW MG Motor India Registers 9% Y-o-Y Growth in January 2026

Gurugram, Feb 1: JSW MG Motor India registers a 9% year-on-year growth in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. MG SELECT, the brand’s luxury retail channel continued with its strong performance, led by robust consumer demand for the Cyberster the world’s fastest MG and the M9 Presidential Limousine.

Meanwhile, the MG Windsor, India’s best-selling electric car and the recently launched The ALL-New Hector continued to drive sales for the company, showing sustained demand across its ICE and EV portfolios. The company sold 4,843 wholesale units in the first month of CY2026. To further strengthen its position in the SUV segment, the company is gearing up to introduce India’s First D+ SUV MG MAJESTOR in February.

Wings India 2026 Wraps Up with Global Participation and 70,000 Visitors

Hyderabad, Feb 1: Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest and most comprehensive civil aviation exhibition and summit, concluded today at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, after four days of intensive engagement marked by global participation, major industry announcements, policy dialogue, aircraft displays and spectacular aerial performances.

Organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and FICCI, Wings India 2026 reaffirmed India’s accelerating journey towards becoming a global aviation hub, bringing together stakeholders from across the entire aviation value chain.

The final two days alone witnessed over 70,000 visitors, with strong turnout from aviation professionals, business leaders, students and the general public, drawn by the extensive static and flying displays and aerobatic performances by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team and internationally acclaimed pilot Mark Jefferies.

Wings India 2026 recorded participation at an unprecedented scale, featuring over 150 exhibitors spanning leading airlines, airport operators, OEMs, MROs, technology providers, training institutions, start-ups, publishers and state governments. The four-day event attracted more than 75,000 business visitors and over one lakh general visitors, including suppliers and vendors, alongside 2,000 delegates, of which 200+ were international participants. The show showcased 30+ static and flying aircraft displays and facilitated over 500 structured B2B and B2G meetings and sessions, collectively reinforcing Wings India’s position as Asia’s most comprehensive civil aviation platform.

It has seen a diverse and high-profile exhibitor presence. Wings India 2026 saw extensive representation from the global and Indian aviation ecosystem.

Major airline participants included Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air. Global aircraft and helicopter OEMs such as Airbus, Dassault Aviation, ATR, De Havilland, Embraer and Pilatus showcased their latest platforms and technologies.

Indian aerospace and research organisations, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories highlighted indigenous capabilities and innovation.

Airport operators and infrastructure leaders such as Adani Airport Holdings Limited, Bengaluru International Airport Limited and Cochin International Airport Limited, alongside technology providers like ADB Safegate, SITA and Avi-Oil, played a prominent role.

The exhibitor mix was further strengthened by MROs, training academies, start-ups, universities, state aviation bodies and industry publications collectively showcasing the full aviation value chain from design and manufacturing to operations, connectivity and future-ready technologies.

Several landmark industry announcements were made during the first two business days of Wings India 2026, underscoring strong momentum across India’s aviation ecosystem. Air India announced an additional order for 30 fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft from Boeing, taking its total aircraft order book to 600 aircraft, one of the largest globally, and also signed a multi-year agreement with Boeing Global Services for the Component Services Program covering its entire Boeing 787 fleet, including aircraft on order, thereby strengthening operational resilience and long-term fleet support.

In another significant development, Air India and Airbus signed an agreement to convert 15 A321neo orders into the advanced A321XLR variant, enabling the launch of new non-stop long-haul international routes with enhanced fuel efficiency and extended range. Sakthi Group and Omnipol signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce the globally proven L410 NG 19-seater aircraft in India, including an assessment of modalities for establishing a Final Assembly Line marking a major boost to indigenous aircraft manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited executed a contract with Pawan Hans Limited for the supply of 10 Dhruv Next Generation helicopters, reflecting growing confidence in indigenously developed civil aviation platforms. Further strengthening capacity building and global alignment, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed an agreement with Airports Council International for the Airports Management Professional Accreditation Program under which over 115 aviation professionals will be trained over the next five years. Additionally, the KPMG–FICCI knowledge report, “Paving the Future of Aviation in Viksit Bharat @ 2047”, was released, outlining nine strategic themes to enable India’s transition from being one of the world’s largest aviation markets to a global aviation ecosystem leader.

The event underscored strong leadership engagement and policy dialogue, beginning with a virtual inaugural address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The static display area was inaugurated by Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of Civil Aviation, while the exhibition area was inaugurated by Shri Sameer Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Civil Aviation. Wings India 2026 featured a robust and forward-looking conference agenda, including the Global CEOs Forum on “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future,” a Ministerial Plenary on Aviation Perspectives, and focused sessions covering Airports, Airlines, Leasing and Financing, MRO, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Drones, Advanced Air Mobility, Helicopters, and Women in Aviation. The conference brought together prominent industry leaders such as Campbell Wilson of Air India, Pieter Elbers of IndiGo, Antonoaldo Neves of Etihad, Vinay Dube of Akasa Air, Jürgen Westermeier of Airbus India & South Asia, and Vadim Badekha of United Aircraft Corporation, fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of the aviation sector.

The event showcased India’s compelling aviation growth story through key sectoral highlights that reflected rapid expansion and long-term vision. Over the past 11 years, the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 to 164, with an ambitious plan to develop 350 airports in the future. Under the UDAN scheme, 92 airports have been made operational, enabling air connectivity for over 1.5 crore passengers, while plans are underway to connect 120 additional destinations. The growing demand for skilled aviation professionals was also evident in the issuance of 1,628 pilot licences in 2025, underscoring the sector’s strong growth trajectory and increasing opportunities.

The event was marked by spectacular aerial displays and an impressive static showcase that highlighted both indigenous capability and global aviation excellence. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) enthralled audiences with breathtaking formations, flying nine indigenously built Hawk Mk-132 aircraft and executing high-precision manoeuvres complemented by tricolour formations using newly developed indigenous smoke pods. The static display featured an extensive and diverse range of aircraft, including HAL platforms such as the Hindustan 228, Dhruv ALH-NG, and LUH Civil Helicopter, alongside indigenous aircraft like the Hansa-3 (NG). Regional aircraft on display included the IL-114-300 and SJ-100, while the commercial and business aviation segment featured the A321neo, A220, Falcon 6X, and PC-24. Airline aircraft from major Indian carriers, including the Air India Boeing 787-9, Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, and Akasa Air Boeing 737-8 MAX, were also showcased, along with training and aerobatic aircraft from Tecnam, Diamond Aircraft, and Extra Aircraft, offering visitors a comprehensive view of the aviation ecosystem.

The four-day programme also featured the Wings India Excellence Awards, which were presented across multiple categories to recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the aviation sector. Wings India is a biennial event held every even year, and following the resounding success of the 2026 edition, the organisers have announced that the next edition of Wings India will take place in 2028, with the dates and venue to be announced in due course.