{"id":59635,"date":"2026-01-27T20:57:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/?p=59635"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:20:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:50:34","slug":"union-budget-2026-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Budget 2026: What to Expect\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Union Budget 2026 is set to be announced in the Lok Sabha, New Delhi, by the <strong>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1st February at 11:00 AM.<\/strong> This budget will reveal the government\u2019s planned revenues, spending, and allocations across crucial sectors like <strong>infrastructure, defence, and social welfare.<\/strong> In this article, we will discuss the key expectations, sector-wise highlights, and explain why this budget matters for both individuals and businesses, helping everyone on the financial curve.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Why_Union_Budget_2026_Is_Important\" title=\"Why Union Budget 2026 Is Important?\">Why Union Budget 2026 Is Important?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Sector-Wise_Expectations_from_Union_Budget_2026\" title=\"Sector-Wise Expectations from Union Budget 2026\">Sector-Wise Expectations from Union Budget 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Top_Stocks_to_Watch_in_Budget_2026\" title=\"Top Stocks to Watch in Budget 2026\">Top Stocks to Watch in Budget 2026<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Banking_Sector\" title=\"Banking Sector\">Banking Sector<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Consumer_FMCG_Stocks\" title=\"Consumer &amp; FMCG Stocks&nbsp;\">Consumer &amp; FMCG Stocks&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Agriculture_Stocks\" title=\"Agriculture Stocks&nbsp;\">Agriculture Stocks&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#IT_Stocks\" title=\"IT Stocks&nbsp;\">IT Stocks&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Healthcare_Stocks\" title=\"Healthcare Stocks\">Healthcare Stocks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Defence_Stocks\" title=\"Defence Stocks&nbsp;\">Defence Stocks&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Infrastructure_Stocks\" title=\"Infrastructure Stocks&nbsp;\">Infrastructure Stocks&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/univest.in\/blogs-2\/union-budget-2026-2\/#Investment_Strategy_Implications\" title=\"Investment Strategy Implications\">Investment Strategy Implications<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Union_Budget_2026_Is_Important\"><\/span><strong>Why Union Budget 2026 Is Important?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>This year\u2019s Union Budget plays an essential role in driving the <strong>vision of \u2018Viksit Bharat\u2019, aiming to transform the economy on a large scale.<\/strong> It is drafted by the<strong> Ministry of Finance<\/strong>, which helps build long-term financial stability while opening new paths for sustainable growth.<\/p><p>Ahead of the budget, the Ministry also publishes the<strong> annual Economic Survey<\/strong>, which reviews the economy\u2019s performance over the past year and analyses sectors such as <strong>agriculture, industry, services, exports, and employment<\/strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sector-Wise_Expectations_from_Union_Budget_2026\"><\/span><strong>Sector-Wise Expectations from Union Budget 2026<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Preparations for the Union Budget 2026 are underway, and all industry groups and consultants have highlighted sector-specific expectations that will drive high growth, competitiveness, and long-term resilience across key areas of the economy.<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Infrastructure &amp; Capex:<\/strong> A strong capex outlay is also expected to continue, which will help transport infrastructure (roads, rail), logistics, and overall connectivity, which is essential for growth. There is also likely to be continued support for modernisation schemes such as freight corridors, station redevelopment, and signalling modernisation, rather than seeing a sharp rise in budget allocations.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Defence &amp; Aerospace:<\/strong> Defence is expected to continue being a priority sector, with continued support for indigenisation, R&amp;D, and domestic procurement. A strong push for a robust defence manufacturing base and export incentives may also benefit domestic players.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Agriculture &amp; Rural Economy: <\/strong>Agricultural interests are also seeking support beyond subsidies, with a focus on quality farming, exports, market access, and cold chain\/value-added infrastructure. There is a demand for policies that will help access to global markets (US, EU, ASEAN) and support for branding of high-value products like buffalo meat and seafood.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Technology &amp; Digital Economy: <\/strong>The aviation community is demanding policies that would help develop international-class airports, enhance regional connectivity, and develop cargo infrastructure. These demands include tax rationalization on aviation fuel, expansion of PPP, and enhancing MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) capabilities.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>MSMEs, Exports &amp; Finance<\/strong>:&nbsp; MSMEs are demanding simplified access to credit, interest subvention schemes, and export incentives to remain competitive. Finance-related demands include possible tax changes, simplified TDS\/TCS, and fiscal responsibility with continued public spending.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Healthcare &amp; Pharmaceuticals: <\/strong>The healthcare and pharmaceutical community is demanding support for R&amp;D tax incentives, the extension of production-linked incentives, affordable insurance coverage, and the relaxation of import duties on critical inputs. This would help enhance both the country&#8217;s healthcare infrastructure and its global competitiveness.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Tax &amp; Individual Sector:<\/strong>&nbsp; Individuals are demanding tax relief or simplification, changes in tax slabs, and proper implementation of the new tax system. These demands include tax rationalisation that could encourage consumer spending and savings.<\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_Stocks_to_Watch_in_Budget_2026\"><\/span><strong>Top Stocks to Watch in Budget 2026<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Banking_Sector\"><\/span><strong>Banking Sector<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>HDFC Bank<\/strong><\/td><td>14,09,822<\/td><td>926.40<\/td><td>813.00<\/td><td>1,020.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>SBI&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>9,50,200<\/td><td>1,053.15<\/td><td>680.00<\/td><td>1055.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ICICI Bank<\/strong><\/td><td>9,60,825<\/td><td>1,361.40<\/td><td>1,186.00<\/td><td>1,500.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd<\/strong><\/td><td>25,033<\/td><td>425.20<\/td><td>327.30<\/td><td>534.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consumer_FMCG_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Consumer &amp; FMCG Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>HUL<\/strong><\/td><td>5,66,733<\/td><td>2,400.90<\/td><td>2,101.12<\/td><td>2,705.09<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ITC<\/strong><\/td><td>4,05,258<\/td><td>318.65<\/td><td>317.85<\/td><td>471.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dabur<\/strong><\/td><td>91,992<\/td><td>513.40<\/td><td>433.30<\/td><td>577.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Marico<\/strong><\/td><td>96,175<\/td><td>745.80<\/td><td>577.85<\/td><td>780.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nestle<\/strong><\/td><td>2,49,389<\/td><td>1,303.30<\/td><td>1,055.00<\/td><td>1,332.70<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Polyplex<\/strong><\/td><td>2,595<\/td><td>821.70<\/td><td>774.00<\/td><td>1,398.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Agriculture_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Agriculture Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Kaveri Seed Company&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>4,206<\/td><td>835.45<\/td><td>797.00<\/td><td>1,602.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mangalam Seed<\/strong><\/td><td>155,01<\/td><td>139.00<\/td><td>131.05<\/td><td>238.80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Godrej Agrovet<\/strong><\/td><td>9,860<\/td><td>524.55<\/td><td>506.70<\/td><td>876.30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dhanuka Agritech<\/strong><\/td><td>4,906<\/td><td>1,105.00<\/td><td>1,020.00<\/td><td>1,960.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"IT_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>IT Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>TCS<\/strong><\/td><td>11,43,623<\/td><td>3,150.40<\/td><td>2,866.60<\/td><td>4,191.35<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Infosys<\/strong><\/td><td>6,77,373<\/td><td>1,682.70<\/td><td>1,307.00<\/td><td>1,924.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>HCL Technology<\/strong><\/td><td>4,63,114<\/td><td>1,720.20<\/td><td>1,302.75<\/td><td>1,829.40<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Wipro<\/strong><\/td><td>2,49,962<\/td><td>234.80<\/td><td>228.00<\/td><td>324.60<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>LTMindtree<\/strong><\/td><td>1,74,126<\/td><td>5,940.50<\/td><td>6,429.50<\/td><td>3,802.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tech Mahindra<\/strong><\/td><td>1,66,684<\/td><td>1,745.10<\/td><td>1,749.00<\/td><td>1,209.40<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Healthcare_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Healthcare Stocks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Max Healthcare<\/strong><\/td><td>96,473<\/td><td>975.50<\/td><td>940.05<\/td><td>1,314.30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Apollo Hospitals<\/strong><\/td><td>97,792<\/td><td>6,793.50<\/td><td>6,001.00<\/td><td>8,099.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lal PathLabs<\/strong><\/td><td>23,044<\/td><td>1,401.40<\/td><td>1,146.78<\/td><td>1,770.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Metropolis Healthcare Ltd<\/strong><\/td><td>9,388<\/td><td>1,825.80<\/td><td>1,315.00<\/td><td>2,263.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Vijaya Diagnostics<\/strong><\/td><td>10,251<\/td><td>968.40<\/td><td>740.00<\/td><td>1,192.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Defence_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Defence Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)<\/strong><\/td><td>2,87,985<\/td><td>4,348.50<\/td><td>3,046.05<\/td><td>5,165.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bharat Dynamics<\/strong><\/td><td>51,601<\/td><td>1,469.40<\/td><td>907.00<\/td><td>2,096.60<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bharat Electronics (BEL)<\/strong><\/td><td>2,99,628<\/td><td>415.95<\/td><td>240.25<\/td><td>436.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL)<\/strong><\/td><td>84,440<\/td><td>247.70<\/td><td>176.00<\/td><td>305.90<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Paras Defence&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>5,026<\/td><td>645.55<\/td><td>404.70<\/td><td>972.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Data Patterns<\/strong><\/td><td>12,211<\/td><td>2,297.40<\/td><td>1,351.15<\/td><td>3,268.80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>MTAR Technologies<\/strong><\/td><td>7,347<\/td><td>2,528.80<\/td><td>1,155.60<\/td><td>2,809.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Infrastructure_Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Infrastructure Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stocks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Market Capitalisation (in crores)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>CMP (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week Low (\u20b9)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>52-Week-High (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Larsen &amp; Toubro (L&amp;T)<\/strong><\/td><td>5,15,162<\/td><td>3,787.80<\/td><td>2,965.30<\/td><td>4,195.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>IRB Infrastructure<\/strong><\/td><td>23,957<\/td><td>39.73<\/td><td>38.57<\/td><td>60.88<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>UltraTech Cement<\/strong><\/td><td>3,64,468<\/td><td>12,589.00<\/td><td>10,047.85<\/td><td>13,097.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ambuja Cements<\/strong><\/td><td>1,28,251<\/td><td>532.25<\/td><td>455.00<\/td><td>624.95<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dalmia Bharat<\/strong><\/td><td>39,135<\/td><td>2,107.10<\/td><td>1,601.00<\/td><td>2,496.30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Shree Cement<\/strong><\/td><td>97,455<\/td><td>27,200<\/td><td>24,862.55<\/td><td>32,490.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Investment_Strategy_Implications\"><\/span><strong>Investment Strategy Implications<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>The upcoming Union Budget is likely to strengthen a market environment in which investment returns depend on policy alignment, strong balance sheets, and effective execution. As markets shift toward an earnings-led phase, investors may be better served by backing companies that can translate government policies into real cash flows and sustainable profits, rather than chasing broad market rallies driven mainly by sentiment or excess liquidity.\u00a0<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Union Budget 2026 is set to be announced in the Lok Sabha, New Delhi, by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1st February at 11:00 AM. This budget will reveal the government\u2019s planned revenues, spending, and allocations across crucial sectors like infrastructure, defence, and social welfare. 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