As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026–27 in Parliament on Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the day historic, while the Congress has urged the government to focus on ground-level realities.
Reacting ahead of the Budget presentation, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said the Budget would lay the foundation for a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. "Today is a very auspicious and historic day. This budget will serve as the foundation for a developed India and will move forward with the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', focusing on inclusive growth across sectors," he said.
Offering a critical perspective, Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat said the Budget should reflect the realities faced by ordinary citizens. "GDP growth figures are highlighted in the Economic Survey, but unemployment continues to persist. Ground realities, particularly in Jharkhand, are not adequately represented. Tribal communities need additional support, and priority should be given to health and education. While the previous budget focused on education deductions, this time health and education should be at the forefront," he said.
Ahead of presenting the Budget, Sitharaman met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and presented her with a copy of the digital Budget. The President also offered 'dahi-cheeni' (curd and sugar) to the Finance Minister, a customary gesture ahead of an important occasion. Sitharaman was seen carrying her trademark 'bahi-khata', a tablet wrapped in a red cloth bearing the golden national emblem.
Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet approved the Union Budget 2026–27 during a meeting held at Sansad Bhawan and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the Cabinet's approval, Sitharaman proceeded to Parliament to present the Budget.
Accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Economic Advisor Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal and senior officials, Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, making her the first woman finance minister to achieve this milestone. She has been using a digital tablet to carry Budget documents since 2021, underscoring a shift towards a paperless and eco-friendly approach.
This year, Sitharaman opted for a deep maroon Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu, featuring subtle gold detailing and paired with a yellow blouse.
Economists said the Budget comes at a time when the Indian economy faces both domestic and global challenges. While domestic demand has remained resilient and inflation has moderated, risks persist due to volatile commodity prices, geopolitical tensions and global trade frictions.
The Budget is expected to balance fiscal prudence with measures to sustain growth, boost infrastructure and generate employment. Economists anticipate a continued focus on capital expenditure, particularly in strategically important sectors such as defence, infrastructure, power and affordable housing. Maintaining fiscal discipline will remain a priority, with the fiscal deficit projected to ease to around 4.4 per cent of GDP for FY26.
While the previous Budget focused on stimulating middle-class consumption through tax relief, economists said the FY27 Budget's approach to boosting consumption is likely to be more selective, alongside a sharper emphasis on long-term growth and fiscal consolidation.
(With inputs from IANS)
