New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced that the Self-Reliant India Fund will be topped up by Rs 4,000 crore in 2026-27 to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The fund was announced in 2023 to infuse Rs 50,000 crore in equity funding into MSMEs with the potential and viability to grow into large units.

While presenting the Budget 2026-27, the minister also proposed an integrated textile programme with five sub-parts, a move that could help the sector, which is facing challenges due to steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US.

In her Budget speech, she proposeed Natural Fibre Scheme, Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme, and National Handloom and Handicraft programme.

The minister also proposed to make TReDS as transaction platforms for all purchases from MSMEs by central public sector enterprises.

TReDS platform - Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL) is a joint venture promoted by SIDBI and NSE.

The minister added that the government will continue to develop infrastructure in Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities.

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Bengaluru: A life convict lodged in Ballari Central Prison has successfully cleared the second PUC examination.

Ashok Kumar S, who appeared for the examination under prison escort, secured 481 marks out of 600, registering 80.1 percent. 

Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), Alok Kumar (IPS), shared the development on his official ‘X’ handle, commending the inmate’s achievement.

In his post, he stated that it was heartening to see a life convict score over 80 percent in the examination, adding that the inmate had appeared from Ballari Central Prison under escort.

He further noted that the achievement reflected that the “walls of the prison have not subdued his hopes for a better future.”

Alok Kumar in his post also shared the result sheet of Ashok. 

The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) declared the second PUC results for 2026 on April 9.

A total of 6,32,200 students appeared for the examination across all streams, of whom 5,46,698 passed, recording an overall pass percentage of 86.48 per cent.