Times Now has come up with an interesting interactive game that allows readers to create their own Budget for the nation ahead of the Union Budget 2026,
which will be presented on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The interactive game, titled “Budget Main Bhi Finance Minister”, lets readers step into the role of the finance minister and allocate funds across key sectors such as healthcare, education, defence, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology and innovation. The idea is to give users a first-hand sense of the tough choices involved in budget-making and the trade-offs policymakers face every year.
Play the interactive game here and wear the Finance Minister’s hat ahead of Budget 2026:
https://www.timesnownews.com/games/budget-main-bhi-finance-minister
The total Budget amount in the game has been capped at Rs 10 lakh crore, and users can allocate this money across different sectors as per their preference, within the stipulated limit, in percentage terms. Once the allocation is completed successfully, users can also check the impact of their Budget decisions across various parameters such as projected GDP growth, poverty levels, innovation outcomes, and the country’s overall security. The game also generates a detailed impact score across sectors, offering a snapshot of how each allocation could shape economic and social outcomes.
The initiative comes at a time when expectations from Union Budget 2026 are particularly high. The upcoming Budget is expected to focus on sustaining economic growth amid global uncertainties, boosting capital expenditure, strengthening social sector spending, supporting manufacturing and MSMEs, and accelerating India’s push in areas like digital infrastructure, green energy, and innovation. With India positioning itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, fiscal discipline alongside inclusive growth will be key themes to watch.
By turning budget-making into an interactive experience, Times Now’s game simplifies complex economic decisions and makes the Budget process more accessible to readers. It also encourages citizens to think critically about governance, public spending, and national priorities - issues that often remain abstract outside Budget Day headlines.
If you’ve ever wondered how you would allocate India’s resources if you were finance minister, this game gives you the chance to find out.
