Budget 2027-28 Preparations Begin, Centre Focuses on Smarter Spending and Stronger Revenues

New Delhi, Aug 29: The Centre has started the groundwork for the Union Budget 2027-28, asking ministries and government departments to prepare practical estimates of their expected expenditure and revenue for the coming financial year.

The exercise comes well ahead of the Budget and is aimed at giving the government a clearer picture of its financial requirements, while ensuring that public money is directed towards priority areas and used efficiently.

The Finance Ministry has placed particular emphasis on controlling expenditure, reviewing existing government schemes and improving non-tax revenues. Ministries and departments have been asked to assess their requirements carefully and avoid unrealistic projections.

The formal pre-Budget meetings are scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026, and continue until mid-November. The discussions will be chaired by the Secretary (Expenditure) and will form an important part of the process of finalising the government’s spending priorities.

The review of government schemes is expected to receive attention during the exercise. Programmes that are underperforming, overlapping with other initiatives or not making effective use of allocated funds could come under closer scrutiny.

The government is also looking to strengthen revenue from sources other than taxes. Better returns from public-sector assets, government services, fees, dividends and other non-tax sources could provide additional financial space without putting extra pressure on taxpayers.

For businesses, the Budget preparation process will be important because government spending has a direct and indirect influence on economic activity. Decisions on infrastructure, manufacturing, transport, energy and other sectors can affect investment plans, demand and employment.

A greater focus on efficient public spending could also encourage government departments to prioritise projects that deliver measurable economic and social benefits. This could help improve the effectiveness of government investment while maintaining fiscal discipline.

For ordinary citizens, Budget decisions can have an impact on public services, infrastructure development, welfare programmes and employment opportunities. A more carefully planned allocation of resources could help ensure that government spending reaches areas where it can make the greatest difference.

The focus on realistic estimates also indicates an effort to make Budget planning more closely aligned with actual requirements. Avoiding excessive allocations that remain unused can help improve financial management and allow resources to be redirected towards areas with greater needs.

The upcoming pre-Budget consultations will bring together ministries and departments to discuss their priorities and financial requirements. These discussions will provide the government with inputs before it finalises the broader framework for the 2027-28 Budget.

With preparations now underway, attention will gradually shift towards the sectors and programmes that could receive greater priority in the next financial year.

The Budget exercise is ultimately about balancing multiple objectives—supporting economic growth, maintaining fiscal discipline, improving public spending and ensuring that available resources are used effectively.

As the consultation process moves forward, businesses, investors and citizens will be watching for signals on government investment, policy priorities and measures that could shape economic activity in 2027-28.

International Markets Show Positive Winter Outlook for Goa; State Records Overall Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Seven Months of 2026

Panaji, August 29, 2026: Goa has recorded an overall growth in tourist arrivals between January and July 2026, with the state welcoming 61.38 lakh visitors during the first seven months of the year, according to the latest data from the Department of Tourism. 

The figures reaffirm Goa’s continued appeal as a leading leisure and experiential tourism destination despite challenging global travel and economic conditions. 

The momentum has also continued into the monsoon period. The growth during what has traditionally been considered an off-season month points to changing travel patterns and growing interest in Goa’s monsoon, nature, culture, wellness, culinary and experiential offerings. 

Commenting on the latest figures, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said, “The latest figures are an important indicator of the resilience of Goa’s tourism sector. The overall growth in arrivals during the first seven months shows that the demand for Goa continues even amid uncertainty in global travel markets. We are seeing travellers increasingly look beyond the conventional beach holiday and seek experiences rooted in Goa’s culture, cuisine, heritage, wellness, nature and communities.” 

“Our discussions with the Union Government and our continued engagement with the tourism industry have reinforced the importance of strengthening Goa’s international tourism markets and connectivity. We are working to expand our presence across established and emerging markets, while building products that can give travellers more reasons to visit Goa across the year. The resilience reflected in the latest numbers gives us confidence that Goa remains firmly on the global tourism map,” he added. 

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, said, “The overall growth recorded so far this year, gives us a more complete picture of the current tourism landscape. Our monsoon tourism initiatives are helping visitors discover a different side of the state, from its hinterland and heritage to its cuisine, wellness experiences, waterfalls, nature trails and local communities.” 

“At the same time, we are closely working with the trade and international partners to strengthen forward demand. The upcoming winter season is showing encouraging signs, particularly from the UK, Russia, Central Asia and European markets, which is a positive indicator for international tourism in the months ahead,” Naik added. 

The positive outlook from international markets is further reflected in forward bookings and plans announced by TUI for the upcoming winter season. 

Nahush Bargi, Assistant Vice President of Le Passage to India (TUI Group), said, “Our TUI charter arrivals will commence in November, with four flights per week from the UK, two from Manchester and two from Gatwick. The response has been very encouraging, with bookings currently standing at 15,300 passengers, which is 7% higher than at the same time last year.” 

He added, “This will be the first time we welcome an incentive group of this nature from Germany to Goa. We also intend to promote local sightseeing tours and curated experiences tailored to the interests of these guests, allowing them to explore and experience the destination beyond their stay.” 

The international market outlook is also strengthening across Russia and Central Asia. Concord Exotic Voyages expects to bring more than 45,000 international tourists to Goa during the 2026–27 season, with charter operations planned from several established and emerging source markets. 

Sheik Ismail, Senior Vice President, Concord Exotic Voyages, said, “Strong advance bookings for the upcoming season show a high level of interest in travelling to Goa. We have noticed an increase in advance bookings from Russia and Kazakhstan for this winter compared to the previous year, which indicates strong traveller confidence ahead of the winter season. We are also seeing emerging markets gaining momentum, particularly Belarus, Armenia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan.” 

“There is scope for additional charter flights during the season if demand continues to grow. Longer stays of around 10 to 15 nights also mean a greater economic contribution from each international visitor. Strong repeat demand from international travellers further reinforces Goa’s position as a preferred holiday destination, while the diversification of source markets is making Goa’s international tourism more resilient,” he added. 

Concord Exotic Voyages noted that the wide range of experiences available in Goa, including beaches, wellness, heritage, cuisine and sightseeing, continues to attract international travellers. Current bookings and planned airline capacity indicate an encouraging outlook for international arrivals during the 2026–27 season. 

Adding to the positive industry outlook, Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, Goa, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), said, “The first quarter has been really good for our hotels in Goa. We saw occupancy levels of around 80 per cent, with year-on-year growth of about 18 per cent during this period. These numbers reflect the continued strength of demand for Goa and the changing perception of the destination as a year-round market.” 

The combination of steady year-to-date arrivals, positive international bookings and robust hotel occupancy provides an encouraging outlook for the remainder of 2026. Goa Tourism is continuing to focus on diversifying source markets, strengthening connectivity and positioning the state as a destination that offers compelling experiences throughout the year. 

With 61.38 lakh visitors already recorded in the first seven months of 2026, Goa is entering the second half of the year with positive indicators across domestic arrivals, international charter operations, forward bookings and hotel performance. The upcoming festive, leisure, MICE and winter travel seasons are expected to provide further momentum to tourism activity in the state.

Swimming In Rivers And Lakes Linked To Higher Risk Of Stomach Bugs And Rashes

People swimming in rivers and lakes could be putting themselves at risk of nasty skin conditions and stomach bugs, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

Researchers found that people who swam in rivers and lakes were more than twice as likely to develop skin problems, while higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution were associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs.

The findings come amid growing public concern over water quality and a boom in open-water swimming.

How the research happened

Scientists analysed data from 2,368 volunteers who took part in a rare randomised controlled trial at four freshwater bathing sites in Hungary.

Participants were randomly assigned either to spend 10 minutes swimming, including at least three full head immersions, or to remain on the shore without entering the water.

Prof Paul Hunter, who led on the analysis, said: “We found that swimmers were more than twice as likely to suffer skin ailments such as rashes, ulcers or itching compared with those who stayed dry.

“We also found that the risk of gastrointestinal illness increased as levels of E. coli and other viruses that infect bacteria found in the human gut rose in the water, which is indicative of faecal pollution.

“This work provides some of the strongest evidence yet that contamination in freshwater recreational sites can translate into real-world illness among bathers.

The hidden dangers in seemingly clean water

Although all four study sites met European bathing water standards at the time of the trial, scientists still detected an association between higher levels of microbial contamination and sickness.

The study found that for each tenfold increase in E. coli concentration, the risk of gastrointestinal illness rose by around 73 per cent, while higher levels of viruses known as somatic coliphages were associated with a 45 per cent increase in risk.

The team say these organisms appear to be better indicators of illness risk in rivers and lakes than intestinal enterococci – a bacteria group currently emphasised in some international water-quality guidance.

They also noted that freshwater and coastal waters may require different standards as the behaviour of bacterial indicators differs between the two environments.

Swimmers itch

One intriguing finding was that skin complaints increased among swimmers regardless of measured levels of faecal indicators.

“This could be due to exposure to naturally occurring organisms not linked to sewage pollution,” said Prof Hunter.

“One possibility is cercarial dermatitis, commonly known as ‘swimmer’s itch’, which is caused by parasites shed by waterfowl that can penetrate human skin and trigger an itchy rash.

“Agricultural or industrial contaminants may also play a role,” he added.

Growing relevance for UK swimmers

The findings add fuel to the debate over the condition of Britain’s rivers and lakes.

Open-water swimming has surged in popularity in recent years, with advocates praising the mental and physical health benefits of spending time in natural ‘blue spaces’. But campaigners have repeatedly raised concerns about sewage discharges and pollution affecting popular bathing locations.

“Our results were consistent across the four Hungarian study sites, which differed in water quality and water types. Our results were also consistent with a previous study in Germany. So overall, this suggests that the relationships that we have identified are generalisable and likely applicable in UK waters,” said Prof Hunter.

“But it is important to remember that the rates of illness were relatively low overall and most illnesses were mild and short lived,” he added.

“Just over two per cent of participants developed gastrointestinal illness and a similar proportion experienced skin ailments. Respiratory, ear and eye infections were rare.”

Nevertheless, the team concluded that higher concentrations of E. coli and related indicators were clearly associated with greater risks of stomach illness, providing evidence that monitoring these microbes remains important for protecting public health.

This project was a collaboration of partners from several European institutions, known as Epibathe. The Epibathe projects investigated the risks associated with both marine and freshwater sites. Hungary was chosen for the inland water studies because of the availability of good study sites and experienced local researchers.

This final analysis was led by the University of East Anglia.

The study was funded by the EU’s 6th Research Framework Programme, and by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

‘A Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing Infectious Disease Risks from Bathing in Inland Recreational Waters’ is published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.

EPIcenter Summer Research Program Helps Doctoral Students Advance Energy Research

Four Georgia Tech doctoral students spent the summer working on their dissertation research through the Energy Policy and Innovation Center’s (EPIcenter) Summer Research Program. The competitive program provides a full summer-semester stipend, along with mentorship and professional development opportunities, to support emerging energy scholars.

“One of the goals of the program is to give students the time and support needed to make meaningful progress on their dissertation research while helping them understand the broader policy, economic, and societal implications of their work,” said Laura Taylor, director of EPIcenter.

The stipends enable participants to focus exclusively on clearly defined research goals. The program also supports peer discussions, communication training, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities designed to strengthen both their research and professional development.

This year’s cohort explored topics ranging from electricity markets and air pollution to critical mineral supply chains and grid modernization, highlighting the breadth of energy-related research taking place across Georgia Tech.

Exploring Complex Energy Challenges

Ana Mazmishvili, who studies environmental and energy economics, used the summer to examine how climate policies affect communities across state lines.

“My research measures who is actually exposed to pollution from power plants when some states adopt climate regulations to cut emissions while neighboring regions do not,” Mazmishvili said. “Because air doesn’t stop at state borders, the key question is what happens once the pollution is emitted, and who ends up breathing it.”

Her work focuses on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program in the Northeast, and investigates whether the benefits and burdens of emissions reductions are distributed equitably between regulated and neighboring states.

Mazmishvili said the program provided valuable time to focus on her job-market paper, a central component of her dissertation.

“The regular meetings with the program director and other fellows create useful accountability checkpoints and let me hear perspectives from people in very different fields,” she said. “We’re also learning how to make academic research understandable to a general audience, a skill I expect to use well past this summer.”

Industrial and systems engineering doctoral student Faeze Fahimi Aghda spent the summer developing an optimization model for the U.S. gallium supply chain, a critical component of many advanced technologies.

Her research uses mathematical modeling to examine where and when domestic gallium processing facilities should be established under the threat of supply disruptions.

“Working on my research through EPIcenter has taught me to look at my problem from a policy point of view rather than focusing only on the math,” Fahimi Aghda said. “The feedback within the meetings helped me improve my model.”

Ryan Anthony, in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, explored how one of the largest oil shocks in U.S. history affected electricity customers and whether utility ownership influenced the impact on consumers.

“So far, my research suggests that it mattered a lot,” Anthony said. “Municipal utilities held rates down and absorbed many of the costs, while private, investor-owned utilities passed more costs through to their customers.”

Anthony said the program provided critical support for the archival research required for the project.

“My project depends on data that only exists in old government reports, and that kind of archival work is difficult to fund,” he said. “EPIcenter gave me the time and space to do it properly.”

Connecting Research to Real-World Impact

For Samin Alipour, the summer provided an opportunity to explore how electric grids can adapt to growing numbers of distributed energy resources.

“Most electric distribution systems were built like one-way roads, carrying power from a substation to homes and businesses,” Alipour said. “Rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles are turning those roads into two-way systems.”

Her research examines how these emerging technologies can be coordinated to increase grid flexibility and clean energy adoption while maintaining safety and reliability and ensuring that costs and benefits are distributed fairly.

With support from EPIcenter, Alipour focused on the economic and policy dimensions of those challenges. “I did not want my research to remain only a technical model,” she said. “The program has helped me connect the technical results of my dissertation to economic value, reliability, equity and compensation policy.”

One study developed during the summer was accepted for presentation at a specialized power systems conference, an achievement Alipour credits in part to the opportunity to focus on the broader implications of her work.

Building the Next Generation of Energy Scholars

Beyond advancing individual research projects, the Summer Research Program encourages students to engage with colleagues from different disciplines and develop skills for communicating complex ideas to broader audiences.

“Through regular cohort meetings, participants build a community of accountability, discuss research challenges, explore interdisciplinary energy topics, and develop communication skills,” said Gil Gonzalez, program support coordinator for EPIcenter. “Students also write a research-focused blog post for EPIcenter and present their work at the program’s fall workshop, which allows them to share their research with the broader Georgia Tech energy community.”

As EPIcenter continues to support interdisciplinary energy scholarship at Georgia Tech, the Summer Research Program equips future leaders with the tools to address complex energy challenges through technological innovation, informed policy, and economic analysis.

‘Z’ and Google Collaborate for an Integration of Google Search’s AI Mode in popular Zee TV fiction shows through authentic storytelling

Speaking about the partnership, Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer, Advertisement Revenue, ZEEL, said: “Advertisers today are looking for more than visibility; they are looking for meaningful ways to connect with consumers in environments they trust. This collaboration with Google Search AI Mode demonstrates how entertainment can create that connection by integrating brands naturally into stories that audiences are already emotionally invested in. Through Dilfluencer Moments, we have been building new storytelling-led solutions for marketers, and this partnership showcases how even a technology product can be woven seamlessly into a narrative to drive both relevance and engagement at scale.”

Sensex, Nifty Rebound After Two-Day Slide as IT, Pharma and Metal Stocks Lift Sentiment

Mumbai, August 28, 2026: Indian equities bounced back on Friday, with the benchmark Sensex and Nifty 50 breaking a two-session losing run as investors returned to select sectors, particularly information technology, pharmaceuticals and metals.

The Sensex climbed 330.92 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 77,264.51, while the Nifty 50 rose 84.80 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 24,175.65 at the close. The recovery provided some relief after recent selling pressure and volatile trading around the monthly derivatives expiry.

IT emerges as the day’s standout performer

Technology stocks led the market’s recovery, with the Nifty IT index gaining 3.51 per cent. Strong buying was seen across major IT counters, with Coforge, LTIMindtree, TCS, Persistent Systems and Tech Mahindra among the prominent gainers.

The sector received a boost from improved global technology sentiment after Nvidia’s latest earnings and outlook strengthened optimism surrounding artificial intelligence-related spending. The development renewed expectations that sustained AI investment could translate into stronger technology demand for Indian IT services companies.

Pharma, metals provide additional support

The positive mood extended beyond technology. Pharmaceutical and metal stocks attracted fresh buying, helping broaden the market’s recovery.

The Nifty Metal index gained around 0.75 per cent, while pharma stocks also advanced. Sun Pharma was among the notable pharmaceutical gainers, adding further support to the benchmark indices.

However, the session remained mixed, with several heavyweight stocks trading lower. ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement and Asian Paints were among the notable decliners, limiting the overall strength of the market rebound.

Broader market sees cautious gains

The broader market also managed to finish in positive territory, although gains were relatively modest. The Nifty MidCap index edged up 0.05 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index added 0.20 per cent.

Market breadth improved, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners on the NSE. This indicated that Friday’s recovery was supported by buying across several pockets rather than being driven exclusively by a handful of large-cap stocks.

Global cues remain crucial

Investors continue to track developments in global markets, particularly signals from the US Federal Reserve on the interest-rate outlook. Movements in crude oil prices, currency trends and geopolitical developments are also expected to influence domestic equities in the coming sessions.

Friday’s gains also came after heightened volatility earlier in the week, keeping investors cautious despite the benchmark recovery.

Weekly losses persist

The rebound was not enough to reverse the market’s broader weekly trend. Both the Sensex and Nifty remained on course for their third straight weekly decline, highlighting the fragile nature of the current market environment.

Analysts expect stock-specific activity and sector rotation to remain prominent as investors balance domestic fundamentals against global uncertainties. IT stocks could continue to attract attention if global technology sentiment remains supportive, while pharma and metal counters may benefit from improving sector-specific prospects.

Friday’s session therefore marked a recovery rather than a definitive change in market direction. The return of buying in IT, pharma and metals offered a positive signal, but investors are likely to remain selective until stronger domestic and global cues emerge.