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Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech Begins

The Union Budget 2026, presented on February 1st, 2026, outlines the Government's economic plans and fiscal strategy. This Annual Financial Statement details estimated receipts and expenditures, seeking parliamentary approval for taxation and spending, reflecting national development priorities.
authorImageRoshni Yadav1 Feb, 2026
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Union Budget 2026-27: Key Highlights and Process

Union Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2026 today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, outlining the government’s financial roadmap for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2026.

The Budget has been shaped through extensive pre-Budget consultations with key stakeholders, including economists, industry leaders, MSMEs, trade unions, and representatives from the education, health, agriculture, and financial sectors. Inputs from citizens, especially the youth, have also been sought across multiple platforms, with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan submitting focused recommendations on rural and agricultural priorities signals that the upcoming Budget aims to balance growth, reform, and inclusive development.

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Union Budget 2026 Live

12:10:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Key Fiscal Estimates for FY27

  • Non-debt receipts: Rs 36.5 lakh crore

  • Net tax receipts: Rs 28.7 lakh crore

  • Capex spend in FY26: Rs 11 lakh crore

  • FY27 net market borrowing: Rs 11.7 lakh crore

  • Gross market borrowing: Rs 17.2 lakh crore

12:07:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Income Tax Changes 2026 Live Updates 

  • New Income Tax Act 2025 will take effect from April 1, 2026, aiming for simpler compliance.

  • Forms redesigned for easier filing by ordinary citizens.

  • Accident claim interest for individuals will be tax-exempt, and TDS removed.

12:04:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Rs 1.4 Lakh Crore for States

  • States to receive Rs 1.4 lakh crore as Finance Commission grants for FY27.

12:03:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Buddhist Circuits in North-East

  • Government proposes a scheme to develop Buddhist circuits across multiple North-Eastern states, highlighting the region’s civilisational heritage.

12:00:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: SHE Marts to Boost Women Entrepreneurs

  • Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts will support women-led businesses across the country.

11:59:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Promoting Sandalwood Cultivation

  • Government to focus on sandalwood cultivation for high-value agricultural growth.

11:58:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Boost for Farmers & Rural Development

  • Special focus on small farmers and mental health support.

  • 500 reservoirs to be developed; fisheries and animal husbandry supported via credit-linked programs.

  • Promote high-value crops: coconut, sandalwood, cashew, walnuts, and cocoa.

  • Encourage livestock farmer producer organisations to strengthen rural economy.

11:57:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Khelo India Mission to Transform Sports

  • Union Budget 2026 proposes the launch of the Khelo India mission to develop the sports sector over the next decade.

11:55:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Boost for Indian Design & Education Hubs

  • New National Institute of Design to be set up in East India via challenge route.

  • Five university townships to be developed, featuring colleges, skill centres, and residential zones.

11:54:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Boost for Animation, VFX & Gaming

  • FM Sitharaman announced support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (Mumbai) to set up labs nationwide.


Budget 2026 Live: Jamnagar Medical Centre Upgrade

11:53:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

The government plans to upgrade the WHO traditional medical centre in Jamnagar.

11:52:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: 3 New Ayurveda Institutes

  • Three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to be set up.

  • Ayush pharmacies will be upgraded to support farmers and promote exports.

11:47:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: Panel to Bridge Education and Jobs

  • Government to set up a high-powered committee linking education to employment.

  • Will focus on services sector growth and AI’s impact.

Budget 2026 Live: Foreigners Can Now Buy Indian Stocks Directly

11:43:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

  • Individual foreign investors’ limit rises 5% → 10%.

  • Total foreign individual cap rises 10% → 24%.

  • Move aims to boost investment, shareholding depth, and long-term capital.

Union Budget 2026 live: New Banking Panel for Viksit Bharat

11:39:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced a high-level committee to review the banking sector.

  • PFC and REC Ltd will be restructured under the Ministry of Power.

11:38:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Union Budget 2026 live: One Girl Hostel in Every District 

11:36:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: 7 High-Speed Rail Corridors to Boost Connectivity

The government plans to develop 7 high-speed rail corridors linking key cities as growth drivers, including:

  • Mumbai–Pune

  • Hyderabad–Pune

  • Hyderabad–Bengaluru

  • Chennai–Bengaluru

  • Delhi–Varanasi

  • Varanasi–Siliguri

11:33:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Live: 20 New Waterways in 5 Years

The government plans to operationalise 20 new National Waterways over the next five years.

  • Training hubs will be set up as regional centers of excellence.

  • Ship repair facilities will be developed in Varanasi and Patna.

11:29:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

Public Capital Expenditure Hits Rs 11 Lakh Crore
Public capital expenditure has been significantly increased, reaching an allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore in Budget Estimates 2026.

11:27:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

Focus on Infrastructure Development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities
The government continues to prioritise the development of infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, aiming to boost regional growth.

11:21:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Textile sector gets major focus:

The Finance Minister announces a textile expansion and employment scheme to modernise textile clusters, SAMARTH 2.0 to boost skill development, plans to set up mega textile parks through a challenge mode, and the launch of the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Samaj initiative to strengthen khadi and handicrafts.

11:19:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 announced: The revamped mission will focus on industry-driven research and training centres for semiconductors. The government proposes to increase the outlay to ₹40,000 crore to build on the mission’s momentum, with added support for mineral-rich states including Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

:11:16:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Bio-pharma gets ₹10,000 crore push:

To position India as a global bio-pharma hub, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces Biopharma Shakti with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years. The plan includes a dedicated bio-pharma focus network and the creation of 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites to strengthen the sector. Affordable healthcare for diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disorders

11:14:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026

  • Scaling up manufacturing across seven strategic and frontier sectors

  • Rejuvenating legacy and traditional industrial sectors

  • Creating champion MSMEs to boost jobs and innovation

  • Delivering a strong push to infrastructure development

  • Ensuring long-term economic security and stability

  • Developing city-based economic regions to drive growth

11:10:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Budget 2026 Inspired by Three ‘Kartavya’

The first Kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by boosting competitiveness and strengthening resilience against global uncertainties.
The second Kartavya focuses on fulfilling people’s aspirations, building their capabilities, and making them active partners in India’s journey toward prosperity.
The third Kartavya is to uphold the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, ensuring that every family, community, and region has fair access to resources, amenities, and opportunities for meaningful participation.

11:01:00 AM IST, 01 Feb 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her ninth Union Budget in Parliament today, February 1, 2026, marking a historic first as the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.

Union Budget 2026-27

The Union Budget 2026 is being presented today, February 1, 2026, during the Budget Session of Parliament. The budget is broadly divided into the Revenue Budget, which covers routine government financial operations, and the Capital Budget, which focuses on long-term investments and capital expenditures. It also outlines key macroeconomic policies and includes the Finance Bill for tax-related changes.

Understanding the Union Budget involves reviewing several key documents, which are categorised for clarity. These documents collectively outline the government's financial strategy, encompassing both statutory requirements and detailed explanatory materials for public understanding.

Official Budget Website: indiabudget.gov.in

Union Budget 2026-27
Component Description ​
Revenue Budget Tax/non-tax receipts; routine spending (salaries, subsidies, interest).
Capital Budget Borrowings/disinvestments; infrastructure/asset creation.
Key Documents Budget Speech, Expenditure/Receipt Budgets, Finance Bill, Demands for Grants (26 ministries).
Process Presentation → General Discussion → Standing Committee scrutiny → Voting → Appropriation/Finance Bills.

Union Budget 2025 

The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, focused on ‘Sabka Vikas’ and the vision of a Viksit Bharat. It emphasized inclusive growth, prioritising the poor, youth, farmers, and women, while advancing reforms in taxation, power, urban development, and the financial sector. The budget targeted a 4.4% fiscal deficit, introduced new income tax slabs with major relief under the new regime, and strengthened support for agriculture and MSMEs to boost investment and employment.

Union Budget 2026 Expectations

India's Union Budget 2026-27 carries high expectations amid 7-7.5% GDP growth projections and global headwinds like US tariffs. Key anticipated focuses include fiscal consolidation targeting a 4.2% deficit (down from 4.4%), moderated capex at ~₹12 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP) for infrastructure and defence (up to ₹2.3 lakh crore), limited personal income tax relief like higher standard deductions or rationalized slabs (e.g., PHDCCI's 20% up to ₹30 lakh), MSME/agri boosts for jobs, customs tariff simplification for 'Make in India,' AI/digital economy push, and debt-to-GDP reduction to 49-51% by 2031 balancing consumption revival with sustainability, per Economic Survey themes and industry inputs

Income Tax in Union Budget

India's Union Budget 2026-27 continues the new tax regime's momentum from Budget 2025, featuring progressive slabs with zero tax up to ₹4 lakh, rising to 30% above ₹24 lakh, and a ₹60,000 rebate under Section 87A making income up to ₹12 lakh effectively tax-free for many salaried individuals. This default regime prioritizes simplicity over old-regime deductions, offering savings up to ₹1.14 lakh annually compared to prior structures, while expectations for further relief—like standard deduction hikes to ₹1 lakh or senior citizen slabs—remain focal amid middle-class demands for consumption boosts.

Union Budget 2024 

The Union Budget 2024–25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on sustaining India’s growth momentum while advancing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. With inflation remaining low and stable and moving toward the 4% target, the budget prioritised employment generation, skilling, MSMEs, and middle-class relief. A major highlight was the Prime Minister’s package of five schemes with an outlay of ₹2 lakh crore to create employment and skill opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over five years, alongside strong support for agriculture, women-led development, rural infrastructure, and tax reforms aimed at boosting investment, consumption, and economic resilience

Union Budget 2023

India's Union Budget 2023-24, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2023, emphasized infrastructure-led growth, inclusive development, and green initiatives under the theme of "Saptarishi"—seven priorities including youth empowerment and fiscal prudence. It allocated a record ₹10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP) for capital expenditure, a 33% increase from the previous year, to boost job creation and crowd-in private investments while targeting a fiscal deficit of 5.9% of GDP. Key measures included enhanced limits for senior citizens' savings schemes (up to ₹30 lakh), new schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 for skill training in AI and robotics, and support for natural farming via 10,000 bio-input centers. Tax reforms simplified the new regime with a rebate up to ₹7 lakh income, raised customs duties on luxury imports like gold, and promoted green growth through 5% compressed biogas mandates and urban waste-to-wealth plants

Union Budget 2022

India's Union Budget 2022-23, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2022, focused on a blueprint for the "Amrit Kaal" over the next 25 years, prioritizing economic growth amid post-COVID recovery with an estimated 9.2% GDP expansion—the highest among major economies. Capital expenditure surged 35% to ₹5.54 lakh crore to fuel infrastructure like 60,000 km of national highways and PM Gati Shakti's multimodal hubs, while fiscal deficit was targeted at 6.4% of GDP. Four key priorities Gati Shakti, inclusive development, energy transition, and climate action drove initiatives such as 100% coverage of 3 crore additional houses under PM Awas Yojana, a new National Tele Mental Health Programme with 23,000 counselors, and tax simplification in the new regime (no tax up to ₹5 lakh, rebate to ₹7 lakh via Budget 2023 update). 

 

Union Budget 2026-27 Live Updates FAQs

What is the Union Budget 2026-27?

The Union Budget is India's annual financial statement, outlining estimated revenues, expenditures, and fiscal policy priorities.

Who presents the Union Budget 2026-27?

The Union Budget is presented by the Union Finance Minister of India in Parliament.

When is the Union Budget 2026-27 presented?

It is expected on February 1, 2026, during the Budget Session.
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