Budget 2026 Expectations: As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget on February 1, Sunday, India Inc has sought stronger
support to exports and measures to create more jobs among other Budget expectations, a Press Trust of India’s report said, citing FICCI’s (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) survey.
The survey spotlights optimism among industries on growth prospects. At least, 80 per cent expressed optimism on the country's growth prospects, reaffirming faith in India's medium-term fundamentals despite persistent global uncertainties, the PTI report said.
The report, citing the survey, added that around half of the participants see the gross domestic product (GDP) growth to remain in the 7-8 per cent range in FY 2026-27.
The survey is based on responses from around 100 companies across various sectors and was carried out between December 2025 end and mid-January 2026, the PTI report added.
The industry respondents also called for increased allocations under RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) to boost export competitiveness, observing that they look forward to announcements related to reforms in SEZ policy and further rationalisation of customs tariffs in the Budget, the report further said, citing the FICCI survey.
The industry respondents also sought measures to simplify direct tax compliance, boost digitisation, provide certainty, faster dispute resolution and litigation management, the report added.
The report further said that respondents identified infrastructure, manufacturing, defence and MSMEs among other sectors to be in focus.
The Budget session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Lok Sabha chamber. According to the provisional calendar issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the House will also meet on January 29, ahead of the General Budget presentation on February 1.
This will be Sitharaman’s ninth Budget presentation, and the third full Budget of the Narendra Modi-led NDA 3.0 government.
A Union Budget is the financial statement of the government. It presents the proposed revenues and expenditures over the specific fiscal year.
In a circular issued on January 16, 2026, the NSE informed all trading members that live trading sessions will be conducted on Budget Day as per the regular market timings, despite it being a Sunday.
The government had earlier in a post on social media asked citizens to share their suggestions for the Budget process by participating under #MyGov initiative and share ideas, view points that reflect people’s aspirations and help in strengthening inclusive growth and national progress for a stronger India.
