In a historic first, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive budget on Sunday, with a focus on infrastructure, growth and development across states and sectors. Some of the major announcements made by the FM in her Budget presentation included a Rs 12.2 lakh crore capital expenditure programme for FY27, new freight corridors and the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative to promote rural industries. Additionally, an infrastructure boost will be given through projects such as 20 new national waterways over the next five years.
Netizens React To Budget 2026
Users on social media platform X expressed their thoughts on the budget via memes and jokes.
Of course, a Bollywood meme made it's way to social media. A user picked a scene from the iconic film 'Mughal-E-Azam' to express his thoughts.
Sab log excited the tax slab badhega, standard deduction milega, lekin experts bol rahe hain "no major relief for salaried class" – to memes mein Nirmala Sitharaman ko villain bana diya gaya hai. Classic ones jaise:
— DesiMemeLord (@VotekaChor) February 1, 2026
"Utho Anarkali, budget aane wala hai" wala old movie scene edit… pic.twitter.com/WGuRbSzWv7
Another one tried to show the sharp spike in ‘economists' on Feb. 1, the day of the Budget.
Reality of every #Budget Day! #Budget2026 pic.twitter.com/BwbAxq4eIh
— Pranav Mahajan (@pranavmahajan) February 1, 2026
A user poked fun at the personal financial struggles of ordinary people during the Budget. “Me watching Budget with Rs 470 in my account,” the post read.
Me watching Budget with 470 rupees in my account #BudgetSession2026 pic.twitter.com/qgg6UrWk5p
— Ayushi (@Ayushihihaha) February 1, 2026
Echoing a similar sentiment using a scene from the the TV serial 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'.
Me watching Budget with Rs 250 in my account.#Budget2026 pic.twitter.com/wOU1i6KBEc
— That Marine Guy???????? (@thatmarineguy21) February 1, 2026
Sanjay Dutt fans used a 'Munna Bhai MBBS' reference to express their confused state of mind on Budget day.
*Budget 2026 exists*
— Vivek Gautam (@Imvivek04) February 1, 2026
Me to my commerce friend #Budget2026 pic.twitter.com/jz8p4wcBy4
Middle Class waiting for Tax Relief in #Budget #Budget2026 pic.twitter.com/Va4O26Ez8q
— अkhil✨️ (@bas_kar_oyee) February 1, 2026
The FM also announced seven high-speed corridors connecting major cities as growth drivers. A ship repair ecosystem for inland waterways will be developed in Varanasi and Patna. An outlay of Rs 20,000 crore has been proposed for a carbon capture and utilisation scheme across steel and cement sectors.
Sitharaman proposed increasing the outlay on electronic manufacturing to Rs 40,000 crore in FY27. She announced support for mineral-rich states, three dedicated chemical parks and a renewed Semiconductor Mission 2.0. The budget also includes targeted interventions across six key sectors, including healthcare.
ALSO READ: Budget 2026 Live Updates: Markets Sour After Sitharaman Hikes STT On F&O, Lower Capex Than Estimates
Comprehensive Budget 2026 coverage, LIVE TV analysis, Stock Market and Industry reactions, Income Tax changes and Latest News on NDTV Profit.
