Union Budget 2026: What Is Cess and How It Works
A detailed look at cess in the Union Budget 2026, explaining its purpose, how it differs from taxes, and its impact on government revenue and public services.
A detailed look at cess in the Union Budget 2026, explaining its purpose, how it differs from taxes, and its impact on government revenue and public services.
Punjab & Haryana High Court strikes down decades-old cess on textile processors, rules dyeing isn't 'manufacture'. Major relief for units in long legal battle. Read the full judgment details.
A deep dive into India's fiscal federalism compact. Understand the 8 crucial questions on tax devolution, cess, and the Finance Commission's role shaping Centre-State finances.
Madhya Pradesh discoms seek a steep tariff hike, projecting a Rs 6,044 crore deficit, despite a 25 paise/unit saving from coal cess removal. Experts say the benefit isn't passed to consumers.
Punjab's Power Minister Barinder Goyal declares Himachal's 12% cess on BBMB projects unconstitutional, citing a 2011 Supreme Court ruling. He vows to protect Punjab's rights.
Punjab Minister Barinder Goyal accuses Himachal Pradesh of imposing an illegal Rs 500 crore land cess on BBMB, calling it a conspiracy against Punjab's treasury. Read the full story on the escalating interstate conflict.
Finance Ministry clarifies National Security Cess will be calculated on machine speed, not production output. This impacts importers and aims to safeguard health, security, and strategic interests.
Cigarette stocks like ITC crashed after govt notified new tax structure from Feb 1, replacing GST cess with higher excise. Analysts warn of 15-20% price hikes impacting sales. Full details inside.
The GST Council has approved new tax rates for tobacco, pan masala, and other items from February 1. Learn about the revised compensation cess and its impact on prices.
India's GST revenue for December 2024 stands at a robust Rs 1.76 lakh crore, including cess, demonstrating continued buoyancy despite rate rationalization. Explore the detailed analysis.
India's new tax structure for tobacco & pan masala kicks in Feb 1. Cigarettes face extra excise, pan masala gets 48% 'Health Security Cess'. Read the full impact.
Godfrey Phillips shares fell 10% as new levies on tobacco and pan masala replaced the GST compensation cess. Explore the market impact and details of the January 2026 tax change.
Shares of ITC and Godfrey Phillips India plummeted after the finance ministry notified new excise duty and a health cess on tobacco products. Discover the impact on prices and public health.
ITC shares fell after Budget 2026 proposed higher excise duty on tobacco and a new health cess on pan masala, effective Feb 1. Cigarettes set to get costlier. Full analysis inside.
The government introduces a new tax structure for tobacco and pan masala from February 1, replacing the GST compensation cess with additional duties. Learn the impact.
India hikes excise duty on tobacco and imposes a health cess on pan masala from February 1, likely raising prices for 100 million smokers. Read the full details and impact.
Recent changes to India's rural job scheme highlight deep fiscal fault lines. States argue their autonomy is eroding as the Centre pushes co-financing. Explore the data on tax shares, cesses, and political penalties.
The Centre introduces a new health and national security cess on tobacco, replacing the GST compensation cess from February 1. This tax overhaul aims to keep levies high and align with WHO benchmarks. Read more.
Despite a 17% sales surge, auto dealers face profit squeeze and investor flight due to unresolved GST compensation cess. Supreme Court case looms. Read the full analysis.
Lok Sabha passes bill imposing a 25% National Security and Health Cess on pan masala and tobacco. The move aims to curb consumption and fund public health initiatives. Read the full details.
Thousands of traders across four major Maharashtra cities shut markets in a statewide bandh, demanding abolition of APMC cess and reforms. The protest highlights issues of dual taxation under GST.
Wholesale trading in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar halted completely as 150 agents and buyers joined a statewide protest. Read about their key demands and the impact.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman explains new Health & National Security Cess to replace GST compensation levy. Bill aims to stop tax evasion on pan masala, secure funds for public health and defence. Read more.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah highlights a Rs 9,000 crore GST compensation shortfall, urging PM Modi to share pan masala cess revenue with states. Read the full story.
Lok Sabha approves bill imposing cess on pan masala and tobacco products. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assures states of revenue sharing to compensate for GST loss. Key step for public health funding.
RJD MP Sudhakar Singh opposes the Health Safety to National Security Cess Bill, 2025, demanding a complete ban on gutka and pan masala instead of a tax. He calls the bill a revenue-generating tactic.
The Lok Sabha has passed a bill to collect a 10% cess on pan masala and tobacco products. The funds will support health initiatives and national security. Learn about the key provisions and financial impact.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarifies the new Health and National Security Cess will only tax demerit goods like pan masala. Revenue to fund health schemes and security. Opposition raises concerns over MSME impact.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman firmly responded to TMC MP Saugata Roy's objection to her Hindi speech during a debate on the Health Security Cess Bill in Lok Sabha. Read the full details of the parliamentary exchange.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a bill for a new cess on pan masala production. The revenue will fund health and security initiatives and be shared with states. Read the details.