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NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a tech-forward Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The ninth consecutive budget under her tenure brings a wave of relief for the “Made in India” ecosystem. While the government did not announce massive price drops on finished goods, it targeted the “DNA” of our gadgets: the components.
By rationalizing Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and extending exemptions for critical parts, the budget sets the stage for a gradual decline in prices. This strategic move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing. Consequently, consumers can expect better value for money in several technology categories as brands pass on these savings.
Smartphones and Tablets: The “Made in India” Price Advantage
The mobile manufacturing segment remains a superstar in India’s industrial landscape. To maintain this momentum, the government has offered duty relief on critical components such as camera modules and display panels. While the cost of premium, fully imported smartphones will remain high, locally assembled budget and mid-range phones are projected to become cheaper.
Additionally, the government has fully exempted BCD on capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells. This extension specifically targets battery energy storage systems and mobile phone batteries. Moreover, international travelers received a surprise bonus: the customs duty on dutiable goods brought as personal baggage was slashed from 20% to 10%. This makes high-end gadgets purchased abroad significantly more affordable for individual users.
Home Appliances and The Consumer Electronics Shift
Your kitchen and living room are also set for a budget-friendly upgrade. Among household appliances, microwave ovens are the biggest winners. The budget rationalized duties on specific internal components, which should lead to lower retail prices soon. Similarly, basic customs duty on parts used in making Smart TVs and local home electronics has been reduced.
Although laptop and PC prices are not expected to plummet instantly, the incentives in the manufacturing domain are game-changing. Brands can now pack more features into the same price point. Instead of a direct price cut, consumers may see high-performance versions of machines becoming the new standard for budget seekers.
The Rise of the Orange Economy and Gaming
A standout highlight of Budget 2026 is the focus on the “Orange Economy.” This creative sector, spanning animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC), is projected to need two million professionals by 2030. To support this, the Finance Minister announced the setting up of AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges.
This policy signal is massive for the gaming industry. With better infrastructure and training, more Indian brands will likely enter the gaming peripheral market. We can expect high-quality, locally-made gaming mice, keyboards, and VR headsets to hit the shelves at accessible price points.