Budget Expectations Highlights: What goals Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expected to deliver?

Budget expectations Highlights: From manufacturers to industry voices, expectations from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are high ahead of Union Budget 2026 on February 1.

Budget expectations Highlight: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday (1 February). Expectations are running high as she is set to deliver her ninth consecutive Budget as finance minister.

Next year, she will equal Moraji Desai’s record of presenting 10 Budgets. As Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman is the only one to have presented nine successive budgets. This year is also significant, as it is the second full-fledged Budget of the third term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre.

What day will the Budget be announced?

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the Union Budget on Sunday (1 February), as per reports, despite confusion over whether the government would opt for either Saturday or Monday rather.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the decision will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs “at an appropriate time”, while PTI cited sources saying: “We have a fixed day for the presentation of the general budget. The concept of Sunday was brought by the British.”

Key dates pre-Budget announcement

28 January: The Budget Session will begin at the Parliament with a joint address by President Droupadi Murmu to both the Houses.
29 January: According to the interim calendar issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the House will also meet on this day.
31 January: Sitharaman is expected to present the Economic Survey on this day. The Economic Survey, which presents a comprehensive state of the economy, is presented by the finance minister a day before the Budget. The survey is prepared by CEA V Anantha Nageswaran.
1 February: Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget 2026 at 11 AM at the Lok Sabha.

February 13: The first half of the Budget Session ends.
9 March: The second half of the Budget Session will begin on this day.
April 2: The final day of the Budget Session, after which Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be adjourned sine die.

Before the Budget is placed in Parliament, the Finance Ministry presents the Economic Survey, which reviews the economic performance and trends.

New Delhi:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Union Budget2026 in Parliament on February1. The Budget shows how the Center plans to raise revenue and spend public funds for the upcoming financial year. Before the Budget is placed in Parliament, the Finance Ministry presents the Economic Survey, which reviews the nation’s economic performance and trends.

What Is The Economic Survey?

The Economic Survey is a yearly report prepared by the Ministry of Finance, usually by the Department of Economic Affairs, with help from the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA). It looks at how the country’s economy has performed over the past year and reviews important areas like agriculture, industry, services, exports, and jobs.

Unlike the Budget, which explains how the government will spend and gather money, the Economic Survey is more of a review and guide. It includes facts, statistics, trends, and predictions for the year ahead. It also points out problems, achievements, and suggestions that the government can use while making the Budget.

Why the economic survey is presented before budget
The Economic Survey is usually presented in Parliament a day before the Union Budget. It is done this way for several reasons.

The survey helps guide policy decisions. It reviews the economy and points out areas that need attention or improvement. Policymakers can use this information to make decisions about taxes, spending, and economic changes in the Budget.
The survey shows the achievements and challenges of the economy, which helps clarify why certain policies or spending plans are proposed.
The survey provides transparency. It allows Parliament and the public to understand the government’s view of the economy, including growth trends, financial health, inflation, jobs, and sector performance.
The survey encourages discussion. Experts, opposition members, and the media can debate the economy before the Budget is finalized. These discussions can sometimes influence the final budget proposals.

Features Of The Economic Survey

Covers macro-economic indicators like GDP growth, inflation, fiscal deficit, and current account balance.
Examines sectoral performance, such as agriculture, industry, and services.
Highlights social and development indicators, including health, education, and employment.
Provides policy recommendations, often reflecting government priorities for reforms or investments.
Uses a mix of data, charts, and narratives to explain complicated economic trends in a simple format.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman‘s upcoming Union Budget 2026 is expected to prioritize fiscal discipline, a consumption boost for both rural and urban areas, and significant investment in infrastructure, defence, MSMEs, and green energy to sustain India’s economical momentum. The budget will be presented on February 1, 2026

Economic and Fiscal Strategy

Fiscal Consolidation: The government is expected to continue on the path of fiscal consolidation, targeting a fiscal deficit of around 4.4% of GDP for FY2025-26, down from the revised estimate of 4.8% for the previous financial year.
Consumption Push: Building on previous tax reforms, experts anticipate further measures to increase disposable incomes for the middle class and boost consumer spending to drive economic growth.
Ease of Doing Business: The government is likely to introduce further regulatory reforms and simplify compliance procedures across various sectors to attract domestic and foreign investment and improve India’s global competitiveness.

Sector-Specific Focus

Infrastructure & Railways: Continued high capital expenditures on infrastructure is expected, with a focus on railway safety upgrades, network decongestion, new lines, and dedicated freight and logistics corridors to reduce logistics costs.
Manufacturing & MSMEs: The budget is expected to provide policy support, easier access to credit (e.g., enhanced credit guarantee limits), and incentives for MSMEs to boost domestic manufacturing, exports, and job creation under the “Make in India” initiative.

Green Energy & Sustainability:

Experts anticipate a continued push for renewable energy, with potential incentives for green hydrogen, energy storage, and electric mobility to support India’s climate commitments and energy transition efforts.
Healthcare & Education: The budget is likely to focus on increasing government spending in healthcare infrastructure (e.g., more medical seats, cancer care centres) and integrated technology like AI into the education sector to build a future-ready workforce.
Defence & Technology: A higher allocation for the defense sector to foster indigenisation and meet export goals is expected, along with support for emerging technologies like AI, data centres, and advanced R&D.

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