All eyes on February 1: What to expect from Union Budget 2026

As India prepares for the Union Budget 2026 all eyes are on February 1 when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would make history with her 9th consecutive presentationThe Union Budget 2026 comes at a time with the opposition has been attacking the BJPled central government with concerns around inflation jobs growth and the cost of livingPeople across businesses and investors are keen to see how the government plans to balance economic growth with fiscal disciplineThe Union Budget 2026 is expected to place strong emphasis on boosting economic growthThe government may increase spending on infrastructure such as roads railways ports and renewable energy projectsHigher capital spending is seen as a way to create jobs and support longterm developmentThe experts believe that support for manufacturing is also likely to continue with incentives for domestic production and exportsThey expect that the Centrersquos spending could also focus on railways metro connectivity and airport infrastructure across the countryRelief for the middle classTaxpayers especially the middle class are hoping for more relief following the recent Goods and Services Tax GST revampThere is speculation that the government could revise tax slabs increase standard deductions or offer incentives for savings and housing loansThe government may also focus on improving supply chains to keep prices under controlA report by State Bank of India SBI has highlighted that the upcoming budget 2026 should announce reforms across taxation insurance and pension sectors to boost household financial savings reduce compliance challenges and improve social security coverage in the countryPush for Jobs and SkillsJob creation is likely to be another priority in thee Union Budget 2026The experts suggest that the budget could introduce schemes to support startups small and medium enterprises MSMEs and labourintensive industriesThey say that with growing Artificial intelligence AI and technology demand in the world government spending could also focus on the tech infrastructuresAlso more funds may be allocated to skill development education and digital training to prepare young people for future jobsUnion Budget 2026 is expected to strengthen Indiarsquos green growth agenda This may include higher spending on clean energy electric vehicles green hydrogen and climatefriendly infrastructureSuch steps would support Indiarsquos climate commitments while also creating new economic opportunitiesMarkets and investorsFinancial markets will closely track announcements related to taxes disinvestment capital spending and reforms Any big policy changes could affect stock markets bond yields and the rupeeInvestors will look for clarity stability and longterm growth signalsNirmala Sitharaman set to make historyFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1 creating a new record in Indiarsquos parliamentary historyThe budget is expected to include reform measures aimed at supporting economic growth at a time when global conditions remain uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensionsWith this Sitharaman will move closer to the longstanding record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai who presented a total of ten budgets across different periods Desai delivered six budgets as finance minister between 1959 and 1964 and a further four between 1967 and 1969Among other former finance ministers P Chidambaram presented nine budgets under different prime ministers while Pranab Mukherjee presented eight during his tenureHowever Sitharaman will retain a unique distinction She will be the only finance minister to have presented nine budgets in a row under the same prime minister Narendra Modi marking an unprecedented run of consecutive budgets