Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday chaired the fourth pre-Budget consultation with the stakeholders from the capital markets to discuss the next Union Budget 2026-27. According to CNBC-TV18 citing sources, market participants urged the government to reduce the securities transaction tax (STT), especially on cash market transactions.

The industry also pushed for reforms in the buyback taxation, calling for the levy to apply only on the profit component of a buyback instead of the entire amount, according to the report. Steps to boost retail participation in the equities markets were also discussed, along with a proposal to raise retail ownership from the current 5% to 8% over time.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the fourth Pre-Budget

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