Budget 2026: Relief for leather exporters; specific inputs to get duty exemption

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday unveiled a series of measures in the Union Budget 2026–27 aimed at supporting exporters, industry, and heritage development.

To cushion the impact of steep 50 per cent US tariffs, she proposed duty-free imports of specified inputs used in leather production. India’s leather and leather products exports fell marginally by 0.23 per cent to USD 3.3 billion during April–December 2025. In addition, the minister extended the export period for final products from six months to one year for exporters of leather and textile garments.

Sitharaman also announced exemptions from basic customs duty on parts used in the manufacture of microwave ovens, providing relief to domestic manufacturers.

Further, the minister unveiled major initiatives to bolster the textile industry, focusing on integrated programmes, skill development, and achieving self-reliance in fibre production.

Archaeological sites to be developed for heritage tourism

On the cultural front, the government will develop 15 archaeological sites, including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Sarnath and Hastinapur, to promote heritage tourism.

Further, she said the government will support the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India in scaling up production of assistive devices, strengthening accessibility and social welfare initiatives.