New Delhi: The Union Budget 2026–27, to be presented in Parliament today, is set to usher in a historic change in the traditional budget speech format. Departing from a 75-year-old convention, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to adopt a new approach, with official sources indicating that Part-B of the Budget speech—usually reserved briefly for tax changes—will emerge as the central highlight this time.
Unlike previous years, Sitharaman is likely to use Part-B to elaborate on India’s “Viksit Bharat” vision, outlining the country’s economic roadmap for the next 25 years leading up to 2047. The section is expected to go beyond tax announcements, covering short-term priorities and long-term economic strategies, while showcasing India’s domestic strengths and growing global economic standing. The government also aims to reassure international investors through a clear articulation of India’s future growth plans.
Union Budget 2026 will also see Sitharaman set new records. She is poised to become the first Finance Minister to present the Budget for nine consecutive years. Additionally, this will be the first time since 2017—when the Budget date was advanced to February 1—that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.
With last year’s Budget offering tax relief to the middle class, taxpayers across the country are closely watching this year’s Part-B for further simplification of the tax regime and potential key announcements. Expectations remain high as the government prepares to outline its economic priorities amid global uncertainties.