The Times of India article addresses a key concern for Indian taxpayers ahead of the Union Budget 2026: whether the old income tax regime will be discontinued, making the new regime the sole option. While the article's headline highlights this question, real-time information indicates that while the government has been actively promoting the new, simplified tax regime through various enhancements, there is no official announcement or strong consensus among experts for an immediate or abrupt discontinuation of the old regime in Budget 2026 itself. The Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11 AM, marking a historic first for a Sunday presentation. This will be Sitharaman's ninth consecutive budget presentation. Experts widely suggest that while the government's long-term intent appears to be a shift towards a single, simplified tax system, any transition away from the old regime is likely to be gradual. Many taxpayers still rely on the deductions and exemptions offered by the old regime, particularly those with existing financial commitments like home loans and insurance, and a significant portion (around 28% for AY 2024-25) continues to opt for it. Therefore, an immediate abolition would likely cause disruption and is deemed premature by many analysts. With the new Income Tax Act, 2025, slated to come into force from April 1, 2026, the focus of Budget 2026 is largely expected to be on administrative reforms, fine-tuning existing changes, and providing clarity for the transition rather than sweeping legislative overhauls. While further incentives for the new regime or minor adjustments to its slabs to boost consumption are anticipated, a definitive end date for the old regime is not expected to be announced in the upcoming budget.