According to BSE data, the NIFTY 50 finished the session at 22,731, a 1.3% jump that broke the 22,700 ceiling for the first time since early September—beating the consensus forecast of a 0.8% rise.
The Sensex mirrored the upside, posting a 1.1% gain that lifted it above the 52,500 mark, the first time it had breached that level in over two months. Capital‑market names such as BSE, CDSL and NSDL also edged up between 0.4% and 0.8%, buoyed by the broader equity rally.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum underscored the government’s willingness to revisit long‑term capital gains tax (LTCG) and securities transaction tax (STT) rates. She confirmed that LTCG for holdings over 12 months remains at 12.5%, with a ₹1.25 lakh exemption per fiscal year, and left the door open for stakeholder feedback.
STT rates saw a sharp revision in the Budget 2026: equity futures tax rose from 0.02% to 0.05%, options premium from 0.10% to 0.15% and options exercised from 0.125% to 0.15%. These changes are expected to curb speculative trading and tighten the cost structure for high‑frequency traders, potentially moderating short‑term volatility.
Analysts are watching the budget announcements closely, with expectations that a modest tightening of tax rates could dampen the near‑term upside, yet may improve after‑tax returns for long‑term investors. Market participants are positioning for a more calibrated risk‑return profile as the fiscal year closes.