Union Budget 2026-27 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the country’s budget today. This is her ninth budget. For the first time, the budget is being presented on a Sunday. Every sector has high expectations from this budget. The Finance Minister is expected to make major announcements in Parliament today regarding income tax slabs, the old tax regime, TDS reductions, GST reform, and rising gold and silver prices. The Economic Survey 2025-26 indicates growth of approximately 7%. Now, it remains to be seen what message the government will convey on inflation, taxes, investment, and global risks.
You can follow all the live updates related to Budget 2026-27 here:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “To promote environmentally friendly freight transport, I propose to establish a new dedicated freight corridor, connecting Dankuni in the east to Surat in the west. Twenty new waterways will be operationalized over the next five years, starting with National Waterway 5 in Odisha, which will connect mineral-rich areas like Talcher and Angul and industrial centers like Kalinganagar with the ports of Paradip and Damra. Additionally, a ship repair ecosystem for inland waterways will be established in Varanasi and Patna.”
Budget 2026 size is ₹53.5 lakh crore, an increase from the previous budget.
Nirmala Sitharaman Speech Live: Budget 2026 is estimated to be ₹53.5 lakh crore. According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government proposes to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6 percent in fiscal year 2027 from 56.1 percent in the current fiscal year.
This will be the budget of a developed India – Prime Minister Modi
Union Budget 2026 LIVE News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Budget 2026 will be the budget of developed India.
Budget 2026 size is ₹53.5 lakh crore, an increase from the previous budget.
Nirmala Sitharaman Speech Live: Budget 2026 is estimated to be ₹53.5 lakh crore. According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government proposes to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6 percent in fiscal year 2027 from 56.1 percent in the current fiscal year.
Budget 2026 LIVE: District hospitals to be upgraded, trauma centers to get enhanced facilities
The Finance Minister made a major announcement regarding the healthcare sector. He stated that district hospitals will be upgraded and the number of trauma centers will be increased to provide better healthcare to the countrymen.
Nirmala Sitharaman Speech Live: Income tax forms will be simplified – Finance Minister
Income tax forms will be simplified. A new income tax form will be available from April 1st. TDS on foreign travel will be 2%.
Disclosure scheme for assets held abroad for 6 months
Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech live: Tax deduction on international travel has been reduced from 5% and 20% to 2%. A six-month disclosure scheme for assets held abroad has been implemented.
Budget 2026 LIVE: District hospitals to be upgraded, trauma centers to get enhanced facilities
The Finance Minister made a major announcement regarding the healthcare sector. He stated that district hospitals will be upgraded and the number of trauma centers will be increased to provide better healthcare to the countrymen.
The government will have 3 duties and 6 focus areas – Finance Minister
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: For a developed India, the Finance Minister listed three duties and six focus areas of the government.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Proposal to intervene in these 6 sectors including manufacturing
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed interventions in 6 sectors including manufacturing, strategic and border areas, healthcare and advanced technology.
Budget 2026 LIVE: Hostels for girls will open in every district
In Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the opening of 5 university townships and girls’ hostels in every district.
Budget 2026 LIVE: ‘Corporate Mitra’ cadre to be developed in smaller cities
Finance Minister Sitharaman said the government will develop a cadre of ‘corporate friends’ to assist small and medium enterprises in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Ship repair ecosystem in Varanasi and Patna
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that ship repair ecosystems will be created in Varanasi and Patna. Initiatives have been taken to establish dedicated facilities for rare earth materials in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated mineral parks will be established for this purpose.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: SME Growth Fund of Rs 10,000 crore proposed
The Finance Minister also proposed a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund. He said the government will support micro enterprises with a ₹2,000 crore fund. The government has also mandated the TReDS settlement platform to provide liquidity support to MSMEs.
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: 3 new Ayurveda AIIMS to open in the country
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that three new Ayurveda AIIMS will open in the country. Five regional medical centers will also be established.
Budget 2026 LIVE: From education, jobs to business, proposal to form a high-level standing committee
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “I propose to set up a high-level standing committee on ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ to recommend measures focused on the services sector as the key driver of a developed India. This will enable us to become a global leader with 10% global share in services by 2047.”
Union Budget 2026 LIVE: SME Growth Fund of Rs 10,000 crore proposed
The Finance Minister also proposed a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund. He said the government will support micro enterprises with a ₹2,000 crore fund. The government has also mandated the TReDS settlement platform to provide liquidity support to MSMEs.
Budget Live: Boost to infra by increasing capex
The government has proposed increasing the capex target from ₹11.2 lakh crore to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY27, which will provide a significant boost to infrastructure. An infrastructure risk guarantee fund is also proposed to be created to increase investment in projects. The focus on infrastructure development in tier-2 and tier-3 cities will continue. Budget 2026-27 also announced the Natural Fiber Scheme, the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme, and the National Handloom and Handicrafts Program.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech for Budget 2026 begins, see minute-to-minute updates here
Live Budget 2026 Speech in Hindi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a first for any Finance Minister. This budget will focus specifically on customs reforms and the next phase of fiscal consolidation. In her first budget in 2019, Sitharaman introduced the use of red cloth-wrapped ledgers instead of the traditional leather briefcase. Like the previous four years, the 2026 budget will be presented in a completely paperless format.
