Union Budget 2026 Live Updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents budget in Lok Sabha
The central government is set to present budget in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, with high expectations from citizens, businesses and policy experts. With the economy navigating global uncertainties and domestic growth priorities, stakeholders are keenly watching for announcements on tax relief, policy clarity and measures aimed at boosting consumption, investment and employment.
The Budget is expected to outline the government’s fiscal roadmap for the coming year, balancing welfare commitments with capital expenditure and long-term reforms. From middle-class taxpayers hoping for relief to industry leaders seeking incentives and economists assessing macroeconomic signals, the annual exercise remains a key moment for economic direction-setting.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget at 11 am, marking her ninth consecutive Budget speech — a record first for any Indian finance minister. The milestone underscores continuity in fiscal leadership as the government lays out its vision for the year ahead.
Live Updates
1 Feb 2026 3:28 PM ISTSports Budget proposes a long-term Khelo India mission, boost to sports goods manufacturing and talent development
An increase in the budget outlay, a push for sports goods manufacturing, and a proposal to extend the Khelo India Mission for the next 10 years were the major takeaways for sports in the Union Budget 2026–27 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Sunday.
These major initiatives make it clear that the government is trying to change the country's sports ecosystem from funding events and athletic support to creating infrastructure, developing and nurturing talent, and being self-reliant when it comes to equipment and infrastructure. These moves are aimed at developing the Indian sports ecosystem capable of putting up its best foot forward at the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics, for which the country has bid.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:26 PM IST
Union Budget 2026-27 Highlights: Centre sets record capex to fuel growth across strategic sectors
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, reflects the government’s vision of accelerating growth, strengthening resilience, and ensuring inclusive development.
It builds on over a decade of steady economic progress, combining reforms with targeted investments to boost manufacturing, infrastructure, energy security, and social welfare.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:24 PM IST
SMEs get big push with Rs 10,000 crore growth fund in Budget 2026-27
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore SME (small and medium enterprises) Growth Fund, to create future champions by incentivising enterprises based on select criteria as part of the Budget 2026-27 proposals presented in the Parliament on Sunday.
She also proposed to top up the Self-Reliant India Fund set up in 2021, with Rs 2,000 crore to continue support to micro enterprises and maintain their access to risk capital.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:05 PM IST
Budget supports vision of Viksit Bharat: Karnataka BJP President
Karnataka BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented a budget that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat and supports the country’s overall development.
Speaking to the media after watching the presentation of the Union Budget on Sunday in Shivamogga, Vijayendra said the budget had been framed around three key pillars -- enhancing productivity, fulfilling the aspirations of the people, and promoting the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”
- 1 Feb 2026 3:02 PM IST
BJP's Karnataka unit terms Union Budget historic, welcomes rail corridor, farm initiatives
Welcoming the Union Budget for 2026–27, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Karnataka unit on Sunday described it as historic and said it ensures the comprehensive development of the country.
The party welcomed announcements such as the railway station corridor for the state, bullet train connectivity to Bengaluru, and a special project to revive the glory of the sandalwood sector. It also welcomed special projects for coconut and cocoa farm products, which are expected to benefit farmers in the state.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:00 PM IST
‘Blind to India’s real crises’: Rahul Gandhi slams Union Budget over jobs and slowdown
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, accusing the government of being disconnected from the country’s pressing economic and social challenges.
In the response to the Budget, Gandhi said it had failed to address key issues confronting the nation, including unemployment, slowing manufacturing growth, capital outflows, declining household savings, and agrarian distress.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:58 PM IST
CII lauds Budget 2026-27 for fiscal prudence, capex push
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Sunday said the Union Budget 2026-27, with its next‑generation reforms, builds confidence, and its thrust on public capital expenditure will enhance private investment.
CII welcomed the continued focus on fiscal prudence, noting that the fiscal deficit target of 4.3 per cent of GDP for FY27 reinforces confidence in India’s macroeconomic management.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:56 PM IST
Nitin Gadkari welcomes infrastructure push, calls it 'enabler of resilience and global competitiveness'
Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday welcomed the infrastructure push in the Union Budget 2026-27, saying these initiatives reflect a vision that infrastructure is "an enabler of resilience, opportunity, and global competitiveness".
He said that these new announcements place infrastructure at the centre of India's journey towards the resolution of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:54 PM IST
Strengthening fisheries, animal husbandry take centre stage in farm sector growth
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2026-2027 speech on Sunday reflected the Centre’s push to strengthen the fisheries sector and a robust support for animal husbandry in rural and peri-urban areas to spur farm sector growth.
India's fisheries and animal husbandry sectors are vital pillars of rural livelihoods and national food security, contributing significantly to the agricultural GDP and employment.
- 1 Feb 2026 2:49 PM IST
India charts rare earth mineral-corridors to break China’s monopoly
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday unveiled a significant initiative designed to reshape India’s engagement with critical minerals.
During her budget presentation in the Lok Sabha, she announced that the government will extend support to the mineral-rich states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in establishing specialised rare earth corridors. These corridors are intended to serve as all-encompassing hubs that will cover the complete value chain of rare earth development, including mining, processing, research, and advanced manufacturing.
