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Cigarette Prices to Rise from February 2026 After New Excise Duty Regime

February 02, 2026

New Tax Regime Pushes Up Cigarette Prices

Cigarette prices across India are set to increase sharply from February 2026 following the rollout of a new excise duty and cess framework on tobacco products. The change marks the first tax hike on cigarettes in nearly seven years and is already being reflected in distributor billing. Trade sources indicate that a pack of 10 cigarettes is becoming costlier by at least Rs22–25 in most categories, with premium variants seeing price jumps of up to Rs50–55 per pack.

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Union Budget 2026 Boosts India’s Ground-Based Astronomy Infrastructure

February 02, 2026

Budget 2026 Expands India’s Astronomy Footprint

The Union Budget 2026–27 has announced a significant expansion of India’s ground-based astronomy infrastructure, with four major facilities planned across Ladakh and southern India. Presenting the Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman said the initiatives would enhance India’s strengths in solar physics, deep-space observation and science outreach.

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Union Budget 2026 Launches Bharat-VISTAAR, AI Platform for Smarter Farming

February 02, 2026

Budget 2026 Unveils Bharat-VISTAAR for Technology-Driven Agriculture

The Union Budget 2026–27 has introduced Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual, artificial intelligence–based agricultural advisory platform designed to improve farm productivity, lower risks and strengthen decision-making at the field level. Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Nirmala Sitharaman said the initiative would deepen the use of digital tools in agriculture by integrating farmer data, scientific research and location-specific guidance.

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Union Budget 2026 Announces NIMHANS-2 and Major Push for Mental and Trauma Care

February 02, 2026

Budget 2026 Signals Strong Policy Shift Towards Mental and Emergency Healthcare

The Union Budget 2026–27 has placed mental health and emergency medical services firmly on the national health agenda. Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of India’s second national mental health institute and a significant expansion of trauma care infrastructure, aiming to address long-standing gaps in psychiatric services and emergency response systems.

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Adampur Airport Renamed as Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj Ji Airport in Punjab

February 02, 2026

Adampur Airport Renamed in Honour of Guru Ravidas Ji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that Adampur Airport in Punjab will be renamed after Guru Ravidas, paying tribute to the saint’s timeless message of equality, dignity and selfless service. The announcement was made at a public event in Jalandhar marking Guru Ravidas’ birth anniversary.

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