Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman created history by presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget, becoming the first finance minister in India to do so. She is now close to the overall record of 10 budgets held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai (though his were not consecutive). She has also moved ahead of P. Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee in total budget presentations.
For the first time in independent India, the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday. Even though government offices are closed, BSE and NSE are running special trading sessions so markets can react immediately.
This year’s Budget is expected to focus on the New Income Tax Act 2025 (to replace the 1961 Act from April 2026), along with higher spending on infrastructure, railways, defense, and artificial intelligence. The middle class is hoping for tax relief such as a higher standard deduction and changes in the Section 87A rebate. The Budget is also important due to global economic uncertainties and their impact on Indian exports.
