As preparations intensify ahead of the Union Budget 2026, market expert Gurmeet Chadha has put forward a set of proposals aimed at improving investor sentiment, supporting household finance and boosting economic activity. His recommendations include cutting long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax, enabling cheaper loans against gold and silver, and expanding affordable housing incentives.

India’s benchmark equity index Nifty 50 has achieved a rare milestone, registering a tenth consecutive year of positive returns after closing 2025 with about a 10.5% gain — despite several economic and geopolitical challenges faced during the year.

India’s equity markets — National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — will observe a total of 15 official trading holidays in 2026, creating seven long weekends for investors and traders to plan around. Markets will remain open on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026).

Broader Market Sentiment
Indian markets ended lower for the third straight session, with both the Sensex and Nifty closing weaker as selling pressure in heavyweight stocks, geopolitical tensions and weak global cues weighed on investor confidence.

Gold prices eased on Tuesday, retreating slightly after climbing to a one-week high in the previous session, as a steady U.S. dollar made bullion more expensive for buyers using other currencies. This caught some investors in profit-taking mode after recent gains in precious metals.

Indian information technology (IT) stocks came under pressure on Monday as traders increased bearish positions ahead of the impending third-quarter earnings season and amid recent broker downgrades, driving the sector lower on the market.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted its latest open market operation (OMO) on January 6, 2026, injecting ₹50,000 crore into the banking system to support liquidity and ensure smooth functioning of financial markets. This marks the fourth such OMO since the December 2025 monetary policy meeting.

India’s mutual fund landscape is witnessing a strong surge in Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) inflows, reflecting a growing preference among investors for disciplined, long-term equity investing.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — India’s premier engineering and technology institutions — are rapidly evolving from traditional campus programs into broader platforms for future-ready learning, industry engagement, and innovation.

India’s long-standing cultural affinity for gold has transformed into a massive economic force, making the precious metal one of the country’s most important financial assets.