Nirmala Sitharaman has launched ‘PRARAMBH 2026’, a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at preparing taxpayers for the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025, which will come into force from April 1, 2026. The initiative, led by the Income Tax Department, is designed to educate citizens through simplified communication and digital outreach.
The ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ campaign is a large-scale outreach programme that will run across multiple platforms, including:
The primary goal is to familiarise taxpayers with the provisions of the new Income Tax Act, 2025 through easy-to-understand guidance material and public engagement efforts.
On the occasion, the Finance Minister also unveiled the upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0, aimed at enhancing user experience.
The revamped platform focuses on:
This initiative aligns with the government’s broader push toward digital governance and ease of access for taxpayers.
Addressing the gathering, Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasised the need for a tax system that is transparent, stable, and citizen-friendly. She called for a system driven by technology and trust, rather than complexity.
She highlighted that frequent changes in tax laws should be avoided and stressed that clarity and simplicity would encourage voluntary compliance among taxpayers.
The Finance Minister pointed out that both direct and indirect tax systems are being reformed simultaneously for the first time in India.
These reforms aim to make the tax system:
The campaign includes a wide range of educational resources such as:
These materials will be available in 10 regional languages, along with English and Hindi, ensuring wider reach across the country.
Arvind Shrivastava, Revenue Secretary, stated that more than 300 workshops will be conducted across India as part of the campaign.
These workshops aim to:
Ravi Agrawal, Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, emphasised a taxpayer-first approach guided by the principle of:
“Nagrik Devo Bhava”
The initiative aims to make tax compliance easier through:
As part of the digital push, an AI-enabled chatbot named ‘Kar Saathi’ has been introduced.
The chatbot will:
Support will also be available through Aaykar Seva Kendras across the country.
The government is also using digital tools and MyGov initiatives to engage with citizens, especially:
The aim is to increase awareness and encourage participation in the new tax system.
The launch of ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ marks a significant step in India’s journey toward a simpler, more transparent tax system. With the rollout of the new Income Tax Act, 2025, the government is focusing on improving taxpayer awareness, enhancing digital services, and building trust through a stable policy framework. Initiatives such as multilingual outreach, AI-powered assistance, and nationwide workshops are expected to bridge the knowledge gap and make compliance easier for citizens. As India modernises its tax structure, the emphasis on simplicity, stability, and technology-driven governance is likely to improve efficiency and encourage greater voluntary participation in the tax system.