FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Budget 2026, continues record-breaking tenure

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made history once again on Sunday, February 1, as she presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, cementing her position as India's longest-serving Finance Minister.

Sitharaman, who became the country's first full-time woman Finance Minister in 2019, posed with her team comprising the Minister of State and all six Secretaries, outside the Ministry of Finance in Delhi ahead of the Budget presentation. She was seen holding the digital tablet that has become her signature, wrapped in a red pouch bearing the National Emblem. 

Continuing her tradition of promoting Indian handloom and textiles, the Finance Minister wore a purple Kattam Kanjeevaram saree featuring light golden-brown checks, known as 'kattam,' for her Budget speech—marking her ninth consecutive year of supporting and showcasing indigenous textiles on this significant occasion.

Since assuming office in 2019, Sitharaman has modernised Budget presentation traditions. She initially replaced the colonial-era briefcase with a traditional 'bahi khata' (ledger) before transitioning to a digital tablet wrapped in a red velvet pouch following the pandemic, a format she has maintained since.

In the early hours of Sunday, the day of the Budget, the FM also visited President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, before heading to the Parliament. 

During the opening speech, FM Sitharaman highlighted India's sustained economic growth of around 7% over the past 12 years while outlining a three-pronged strategy to navigate global challenges and ensure inclusive development.

Addressing Parliament on the sacred occasion of Magh Purnima and Guru Ravidas's birth anniversary, the FM credited the government's policy choices, favouring "action over ambivalence, reform over rhetoric, and people over populism", for maintaining stability, fiscal discipline, and moderate inflation despite global uncertainties.

FM Sitharaman outlined how structural reforms, fiscal prudence, and strong public investment have built domestic manufacturing capacity, enhanced energy security, and reduced import dependencies. These measures, she said, have contributed to significant poverty reduction and improved living standards.

Describing this as a "unique youth-shakti-driven budget," the Finance Minister revealed that proposals were inspired by ideas shared during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 with Prime Minister Modi.

The budget is built on three core objectives:

• Economic growth: accelerating and sustaining growth by enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and building resilience against global volatility
• People's aspirations: fulfilling aspirations and building capacity to make citizens strong partners in India's prosperity
• Inclusive development: ensuring every family, community, region, and sector has access to resources and opportunities, aligned with the vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas"

Reaffirming the government's commitment to the poor, underprivileged, and disadvantaged, FM Sitharaman emphasised that growth dividends must reach farmers, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, nomads, youth, the poor, and women.

This is the first budget prepared at Kartavya Path, symbolising the government's dedication to constitutional duties and inclusive progress.

In line with the Union Budget 2026, the Indian startup ecosystem has shared its expectations here. 

As you eagerly await the announcements, YourStory brings to you all the live updates and news from the Union Budget 2026, here. 

(The copy was updated with more details)