Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Cabinet clears Budget for FY27; focus on growth, fiscal prudence
Union Budget 2026–27 approved; FM Sitharaman to present 9th Budget with focus on growth, fiscal discipline and reforms amid global trade pressures.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE
The Union Cabinet has approved the Union Budget for 2026–27, setting the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her ninth Budget in Parliament today. Notably, this marks the first time the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.
The Budget is widely expected to outline measures aimed at sustaining India’s growth momentum while maintaining fiscal discipline. It is also likely to include reform-oriented steps designed to shield the economy from global trade uncertainties, including tariff pressures from the United States.
Ahead of the presentation, Ms. Sitharaman was seen at the Finance Ministry in New Delhi along with Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and senior officials.
The policy direction of the Budget comes against the backdrop of the Economic Survey 2025–26, tabled in Parliament on January 29 by the Finance Minister. Authored by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, the Survey projected India’s GDP growth for the current financial year (2025–26) at 7.4%, with a “nowcast” estimate of 7% for the third quarter (October–December 2025).
For 2026–27, the Survey has pegged growth in the range of 6.8% to 7.2%, while underscoring the need for fiscal flexibility at the Centre and cautioning States about deteriorating financial positions.
As Parliament awaits the Budget speech, attention remains on how the government balances growth support, fiscal consolidation, and structural reforms in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Live Updates
- 1 Feb 2026 5:18 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live: Spending Push to Offset Global Risks
The government raised spending on manufacturing and infrastructure while maintaining fiscal discipline to cushion the economy from global uncertainties and high US tariffs.
Capital expenditure will rise 9% to ₹12.2 trillion in the new fiscal year, with focus on railways, MSMEs, and healthcare.
- 1 Feb 2026 5:17 PM IST
Budget 2026: India Halves Allocation to Bangladesh
India has cut its budgetary allocation for Bangladesh to ₹60 crore for 2026-27, down 50% from ₹120 crore last year, amid diplomatic tensions.
- 1 Feb 2026 5:16 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live: Unified 15.5% Safe Harbour for IT Services
The Budget proposes a single 15.5% safe harbour margin covering software development, IT-enabled services, KPO, and related IT segments to enhance tax certainty and attract global tech firms.
It also raises the safe harbour threshold to ₹2,000 crore (from ₹300 crore) and offers tax incentives for cloud providers using India’s data centre infrastructure, boosting the country’s appeal as a global tech hub.
- 1 Feb 2026 5:13 PM IST
Budget 2026: No Allocation for Chabahar Port Project
The Union Budget made no provision for the Chabahar Port project amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.
Located at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar is Iran’s first deepwater port, offering direct access to key global trade routes.
- 1 Feb 2026 4:14 PM IST
Budget 2026: Sitharaman Responds to Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the economy’s fundamentals remain strong, highlighting schemes for SMEs, farmers, women entrepreneurs, and sectors like leather and textiles to shield them from global uncertainties.
“Politically you can criticise, but please base arguments on facts,” she added, defending the Budget’s measures for inclusive growth and stability.
- 1 Feb 2026 4:10 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live: Rare Earth, Rail & Freight Initiatives for Poll-Bound States
While major pre-election announcements were absent, the Union Budget 2026 included proposals for rare earth corridors, rail and freight infrastructure, and schemes to boost agriculture and tourism in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam.
1 Feb 2026 4:05 PM ISTBudget 2026 Live: Sensex, Nifty Slide Sharply
Sensex tumbled 1,546.84 points to 80,722.94, while Nifty dropped 495.20 points to 24,825.45 following the Union Budget 2026 presentation.
- 1 Feb 2026 4:03 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live: Memes Flood Social Media After FM Sitharaman’s Speech
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wrapped up her Union Budget 2026 presentation, social media erupted with funny memes.
Netizens humorously reacted to tax reliefs, middle-class concerns, and other budget highlights, showcasing their creativity.
Government to salaried people during every budget#Budget2025 pic.twitter.com/VnfvuKYolM
— Finance Memes (@Qid_Memez) February 1, 2025 - 1 Feb 2026 3:59 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live: Election Commission Gets 25% Hike
The Election Commission has been allocated ₹382.22 crore for FY 2026-27, up 25.33% from last year’s ₹304.98 crore.
Of this, ₹367.69 crore is earmarked for elections, with the remainder for administrative and operational expenses.
- 1 Feb 2026 3:50 PM IST
Budget 2026 Live | Boost for ‘Orange Economy’: Content Creator Labs
FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies to set up animation, VFX, gaming, comics, and content creator labs across 15,000 schools and 500 colleges nationwide, promoting the creative sector under the “Orange Economy.”
