Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 at 11 am, marking her ninth consecutive budget and setting a parliamentary record. The budget comes at a time of global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and geopolitical stress.
Nirmala Sitharaman to Present Ninth Union Budget
Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman proposed multiple initiatives to boost #investment in the higher education sector, including new institutes, university townships, girls’ hostels, and telescope infrastructure.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha. This budget is the first budget to be prepared in Kartavya Bhavan. In her speech, the Finance Minister outlined the three main duties of the government and stated that the innovative ideas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are the cornerstone of this budget. She stated that the government is committed to paying special attention to the poor, the exploited, and the deprived.
India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) sector is booming. The government proposes supporting the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges to nurture talent.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposes a High-Powered ‘Education to Employment & Enterprise’ Standing Committee to drive growth, employment, exports & assess AI’s impact on jobs for a globally competitive India by 2047.
FM proposes a three-pronged support for MSMEs: Equity support, Liquidity support, and Professional support to help them grow and thrive.
FM proposes ₹20,000 crore over 5 years for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) to advance end-use applications and strengthen India’s green technology capabilities.
FM announces continued development of infrastructure in Tier II & Tier III cities with over 5 lakh population, supporting their growth as emerging economic centres.
FM proposes initiatives like Biopharma SHAKTI, ISM 2.0, Electronics Components Scheme, Rare Earth Corridors, Chemical Parks & revival of 200 legacy industrial clusters.
FM announces the creation of 22 new waterways across the country to boost inland transport, trade, and connectivity.
FM announces price reduction for cancer and diabetes medicines, making essential healthcare more accessible and affordable for all citizens.
Ahead of the presentation of Budget 2026, news of economic relief for the government has arrived. Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections increased by 6.2% to ₹1,93,384 crore in January. GST collections in the same month last year were ₹1,82,094 crore. This increase was driven by strong domestic activity and growth in import revenue.
FM announces ₹10,000 crore support to strengthen MSMEs.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlights three duties guiding Budget 2026: boosting economic growth, empowering citizens, and ensuring inclusive development for all regions and communities.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlines interventions in manufacturing, strategic and frontier sectors, healthcare, and advanced technology to boost growth and innovation across India.
Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to set up dedicated rare earth mineral corridors, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha in a few hours. This budget will not only determine the country's future economic direction but will also be the third full budget of the Modi government's third term. Even before the budget is presented, investors and businesses are keeping an eye on the stock market. Despite being a Sunday, the stock market will remain open, and some stocks may see movement due to the budget's impact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have arrived at Parliament ahead of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s record ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Budget in a meeting held ahead of its presentation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is now set to present the Budget in the Lok Sabha, after which it will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived at Parliament after meeting President Droupadi Murmu. She will present her ninth Union Budget, carrying the details on a digital Budget tablet. Several Union Cabinet ministers are also present.
Ahead of the presentation of Budget 2026, the government has dealt a blow to both the public and businesses. The price of a 19-kilogram commercial LPG cylinder has been increased by ₹50, while the price of a 14-kilogram domestic LPG cylinder remains unchanged. Domestic cylinders are still available at the old rates fixed on April 8, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Parliament House. A crucial Cabinet meeting is set to begin shortly as preparations intensify ahead of key decisions.
President Droupadi Murmu fed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the customary dahi-cheeni ahead of her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation, marking a traditional and symbolic moment before the historic address.
The government has raised commercial LPG cylinder prices by ₹49 ahead of the Budget, while keeping domestic LPG cylinder rates unchanged, offering relief to households amid pre-Budget adjustments.
Before presenting Budget 2026, President Droupadi Murmu offered Dahi Cheeni (Curd and Sugar) to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This is considered a traditional ritual performed prior to the budget.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with MoS Pankaj Chaudhary, met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted the Budget copy. This will be Sitharaman’s 9th consecutive Budget, raising public expectations.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament at 11 am today. For her ninth consecutive budget, her attire received special attention, as always. Her saree on Budget Day is not just a fashion statement, but also a message of Indian culture and tradition.
This year, the Finance Minister wore a maroon handwoven Kanjivaram silk saree. This saree reflects the traditional weaving art of Tamil Nadu. The light golden-brown check design ('kattam') and coffee brown border on the saree further enhance the saree's grandeur. Experts say this outfit also conveys a message of self-reliant India and support for local artisans.
Equity Markets Remain Cautious Ahead of Budget, Move in Narrow Range
Cuba is facing a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis as fuel shortages, daily blackouts, and soaring prices disrupt life in Havana and beyond. With pressure mounting from abroad, ordinary Cubans are struggling to meet basic needs.
Gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp correction after touching record highs, with MCX futures crashing heavily. Profit booking, a stronger US dollar, and budget-related caution triggered volatility, raising questions about whether gold can recover next week.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was seen outside the Finance Ministry with her team, standing beside the Union Budget 2026 board. She is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha at 11 AM today.
According to the List of Business, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will seek permission in the Lok Sabha to introduce the Finance Bill 2026, after which the bill will be formally presented. The Finance Bill gives legal backing to all government financial proposals, enabling the implementation of tax measures and other financial decisions outlined in the Union Budget.
The Makar Gate of the Parliament House has been beautifully decorated with flowers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will enter Parliament through this gate to present the Union Budget 2026, marking her ninth budget. This year, the budget is expected to focus on tax relief for the common man, improved railway facilities, new employment opportunities, and controlling inflation. All eyes are now on her speech for the roadmap to turn these expectations into reality.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at Kartavya Bhawan ahead of presenting the Union Budget 2026 today. She was accompanied by Finance Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary. Earlier, the headquarters of the Finance Ministry was located in North Block, but it has now been shifted to Kartavya Bhawan on Janpath.
Finance Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary has left his residence and is on his way to the Finance Ministry. Today, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament.
Even on Sunday, the stock markets will have a regular live trading session as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget at 11 am. Earlier, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) issued a circular stating that on Sunday, February 1, 2026, the markets will remain open from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm to coincide with the budget presentation.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history by presenting the Union Budget for the ninth consecutive time, creating a new record. By presenting the next budget, she will equal the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who had presented the budget 10 times. Sitharaman also becomes the second woman to present the Union Budget after Indira Gandhi, who had presented the budget while serving as Prime Minister.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 80th Union Budget 2026 at 11 am in the Central Hall of Parliament. With this, she will create history by presenting her record ninth consecutive budget. This will be only the second time that a Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday. Earlier, former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha had presented the budget on February 28, 1999, which also fell on a Sunday.
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha today, February 1, at 11 am. With this, she will become the first Finance Minister to present her ninth consecutive budget, setting a new record in parliamentary history. This budget will not only set the economic direction but also provide a glimpse of the development roadmap for the coming years.
This budget is being presented at a time when geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and economic uncertainty prevail around the world. In particular, tariff and trade wars with several countries, including the United States, are impacting the global economy. Consequently, the government is expected to announce concrete measures to protect the country's economy from global shocks.
Every major budget announcement, tax changes, schemes, and policy decisions are being closely monitored across the country. Stay tuned to the live blog for every minute update on Budget 2026.
