Budget 2026 Live: Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Historic Ninth Consecutive Union Budget
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha today, February 1, 2026. This momentous occasion marks her ninth consecutive budget presentation, establishing a new record in India's parliamentary history.
Parliamentary Schedule and Key Documents
According to the official Lok Sabha List of Business, the House will convene at 11 am today. Following the commencement of proceedings, Finance Minister Sitharaman will table the comprehensive annual Budget documents. These crucial papers will include:
- A detailed statement outlining the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the upcoming fiscal year 2026–27.
- Two significant statements mandated under Section 3(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003:
- The Medium-term Fiscal Policy-cum-Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement
- The Macro-economic Framework Statement
Economic Survey Paves the Way
Ahead of today's budget presentation, Finance Minister Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey of India for 2025–26 in Parliament on Thursday. This follows the long-established parliamentary convention of assessing the nation's economic health before outlining future fiscal policy directions.
Often described as the government's annual economic "report card", the Economic Survey provides:
- A data-backed assessment of macroeconomic trends over the past year
- Analysis of sectoral performance across various industries
- Identification of key policy challenges and emerging economic patterns
- Guidance on areas requiring future focus and strategic intervention
Budget vs. Economic Survey: Complementary Roles
While the Union Budget lays out the government's concrete plans regarding spending priorities, taxation policies, and strategic measures, the Economic Survey serves as the analytical foundation for these decisions. The Survey meticulously examines past economic performance and identifies emerging trends that inform the budget's formulation.
This complementary relationship ensures that fiscal decisions are grounded in comprehensive economic analysis, creating a more informed and strategic approach to national financial planning.
Historical Significance of Today's Presentation
Today's budget presentation carries particular historical weight as it represents Nirmala Sitharaman's ninth consecutive Union Budget. This unprecedented streak demonstrates remarkable consistency in economic leadership and provides valuable continuity in fiscal policy formulation during a period of significant global economic transitions.
The nation awaits key announcements that will shape India's economic trajectory through the latter half of the decade, with particular attention on measures addressing inflation control, employment generation, infrastructure development, and social welfare enhancements.
