Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive Budget in Parliament on Feb. 1. The upcoming Budget is expected to include reform measures aimed at boosting economic growth amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
One key focus area is likely to be an overhaul of the Customs duty regime, similar to the rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). The government may also outline steps to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio. Following last year's announcement to increase the tax exemption limit to Rs 12 lakh, the salaried class is now hoping for relief in standard deductions and GST rate cuts.
Sitharaman's ninth consecutive Budget will bring her closer to the record of 10 Budgets presented by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai over different periods. Desai presented six Budgets between 1959 and 1964, and four more between 1967 and 1969. Former Finance Ministers P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee had presented nine and eight Budgets, respectively.
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Sitharaman, however, holds the record for the most consecutive Budgets. She was appointed India's first full-time woman Finance Minister in 2019. So far, she has presented eight straight Budgets, including an interim Budget in February 2024.
When Will FM Sitharaman Present Budget?
Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Since 2017, the first day of February has been fixed as the Budget presentation day. Earlier, the Budget used to be presented on the last day of February. However, this was revised keeping in mind the need to ensure Parliament's approval by the end of March and allow implementation from April 1.
Budget presentation timing was also moved to 11 a.m. in 1999 by the then Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. Prior to that, it was delivered at 5 p.m., a practice dating back to the colonial era.
Ahead of the Budget, Sitharaman will table the annual Economic Survey 2025-26 in Parliament on Thursday.
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Where To Watch Budget 2026?
The Union Budget 2026 can be watched live on Feb. 1 from 11:00 a.m on Sansad TV, DD News and the official website, indiabudget.gov.in. Live streaming will also be available on the YouTube channels of Sansad TV and Press Information Bureau (PIB). Major news channels will also broadcast the FM's speech.
NDTV Profit will stream the Budget on its social media platforms and provide live coverage along with timely updates and expert analysis.
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