Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to depart from a 75-year-old Union Budget tradition, with Part B of the Budget speech expected to carry a detailed roadmap for India’s economic future, according to sources cited by NDTV. Traditionally, the substance of the Union Budget has been concentrated in Part A, while Part B remained largely limited to tax proposals and policy announcements.
Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman Set to Break 75-Year-Old Budget Tradition
This year’s Budget, however, is expected to redefine that structure. Sources indicate that Part B will outline both short-term priorities and long-term strategic goals, offering a comprehensive vision as India moves deeper into the second quarter of the 21st century. The shift is being closely watched by economists, policymakers, and global investors.
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The reimagined Part B is likely to highlight India’s local strengths while positioning the country’s global ambitions, going beyond routine fiscal measures. Analysts expect clarity on structural reforms, growth engines, and India’s role in the evolving global economic order, making the Budget more forward-looking than in previous years.
Economists in India and abroad are observing the development closely, anticipating that the Budget could serve as a medium-term economic roadmap rather than a document confined to annual tax adjustments. If implemented as expected, the move could mark a significant evolution in how Union Budgets communicate policy intent and national priorities.
Finance Minister ninth consecutive Union Budget
This will be Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Union Budget, underlining her status as one of India’s longest-serving finance ministers. In her first Budget in 2019, Sitharaman broke another long-standing tradition by replacing the leather briefcase used to carry Budget documents with a traditional ‘bahi-khata’ wrapped in red cloth, symbolising a blend of cultural continuity and modern governance.
Continuing the shift towards digital governance, Budget 2026 will be presented in a paperless format, a practice followed consistently over the last four years. The move aligns with the government’s broader push towards digitisation, efficiency, and sustainability in administrative processes.
If the expectations around Part B materialise, Budget 2026 could be remembered not just for fiscal decisions, but for redefining the narrative and structure of India’s most important economic document.
