Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 in Parliament on February 1. Notably, this marks the first time in at
least a decade that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.
On Wednesday, January 28 -- Budget session of the Parliament begin, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of both Houses on the opening day of Parliament’s Budget Session. The session will be conducted in two phases. The first phase begins on Wednesday and runs until February 13. The second phase, featuring Budget discussions, will start on March 9 and conclude on April 2, according to an X post by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Only three of India’s Prime Ministers have till date presented the Union Budget. Here’s the list of Indian Prime Ministers who themselves took charge to present the Budget.
Jawaharlal Nehru (1958)
Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first prime minister to present the Union Budget in 1958, after then finance minister TT Krishnamachari resigned on February 12 following the exposure of the Mundhra scandal, prompting Nehru to assume charge of the finance ministry while being the Prime Minister.
Indira Gandhi (1970)
Indira Gandhi assumed charge of the finance ministry after Morarji Desai’s resignation in 1969 and presented the Union Budget for 1970. A year later, she appointed Home Minister Yashwantrao Chavan as finance minister.
Rajiv Gandhi (1987)
Rajiv Gandhi briefly headed the finance ministry, while being the Prime Minister -- between January and July 1987 as he had removed the VP Singh, the finance minister at that time from his position.
Addressing the joint session of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session today, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India's growing economic trajectory and the transformative reforms in the rural parts of the country.
President Murmu's address in Parliament
The President noted that the nation's manufacturing sector has reached unprecedented milestones, specifically in high-tech exports. "In the first five months of the financial year 2025-26, India's smartphone exports crossed Rs 1 lakh crore," she stated, adding that the reach of Indian industry is expanding into green mobility. "This year, India has begun exporting electric vehicles to more than 100 countries."
Turning her focus to the energy sector, President Murmu emphasised the shift toward sustainable power as a key pillar of national growth. She pointed out, "Apart from nuclear energy, India is also making rapid progress in the solar power sector. So far, 2 million rooftop solar systems have been installed."
Highlighting a major legislative reform for rural India, President Murmu introduced the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G law as a cornerstone for future village-level development. This new framework is designed to provide a stronger safety net and more consistent work opportunities for rural citizens. "For employment and development in rural areas, Viksit Bharat-G RAM G law has been formed," the President announced. She also highlighted the direct benefits of this reform for the rural workforce, stating, "With this new reform, there will be 125 days of employment guarantees in villages."
The President also detailed a comprehensive strategy to bolster the agricultural economy and diversify the income sources of India's farmers. Central to this vision is the promotion of traditional crops on the international stage. "To increase farmers' additional income, the government is continuing its efforts to promote the 'Shri Ann' scheme at the global level," she said. (With ANI Inputs)
