Union Budget 2026: Mega Announcement
India’s Union Budget 2026 arrives tomorrow, February 1, 2026, at 11 AM IST, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a historic Sunday session. This key financial plan drives government policies on spending, taxes, and growth, making it essential current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, and state exam students.
Key Expectations
Experts predict Budget 2026 will tackle inflation control, job creation, and sustainable development amid global uncertainties. Focus areas include middle-class tax relief, infrastructure upgrades, green initiatives, and support for startups/MSMEs. Students should note boosts in education, skilling, agriculture, healthcare, and defense for exam questions.
| Sector | Expected Highlights |
|---|---|
| Tax Reforms | New income tax slabs easing middle-class burden; manufacturing incentives. |
| Infrastructure | Roads, railways, smart cities with massive funding. |
| Green Energy | Solar, EV push towards 2070 net-zero goals. |
| MSMEs/Startups | Easier loans, reduced red tape, innovation funds. |
| Education/Skilling | NEP rollout, vocational courses, student scholarships. |
| Healthcare | Ayushman expansion, hospital infrastructure. |
| Agriculture | MSP hikes, crop insurance, rural credit. |
| Defense | Modernization, self-reliance in arms production. |
Budget History Timeline
From post-independence struggles to economic reforms, the Union Budget has shaped modern India. Track these milestones for history/current affairs sections in exams.
| Year | Milestone Event |
|---|---|
| 1947 | First Budget by R.K. Shanmukham Chetty amid partition crisis. |
| 1986 | Budget presentation shifted to 11 AM start. |
| 1991 | Dr. Manmohan Singh’s liberalization ends License Raj. |
| 1999 | Yashwant Sinha introduces morning budget tradition. |
| 2017 | Railway Budget merged into Union Budget. |
| 2021 | First fully digital, paperless budget by Sitharaman. |
Student Exam Relevance
Budgets reveal government priorities like NEP funding, youth schemes (PMKVY), and job programs – perfect for prelims/mains. Sunday presentation is a unique trivia point; watch live on DD/Sansad TV for analysis. Compare with past budgets for trend questions.