Budget 2026: The Union Budget 2026 of India was unveiled amid high political drama on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, igniting a fierce partisan showdown. The BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners hail the budget as a ‘masterstroke for Viksit Bharat”, patting the Indian FM and India for fiscal prudence and growth reforms.
In contrast, the opposition INDIA bloc branded the Budget 2026 as “faceless, baseless, directionless, anti-poor, pro-corporate, and visionless.”
Let us explore the real truth behind Budget 2026 and would it be beneficial for India as a whole.
Budget 2026: NDA’s Self-Congratulatory Narrative
The optimism of NDA rests on robust macroeconomic foundations. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected at 7.2 percent for FY26, primarily influenced by infrastructure spending surging to ₹12 lakh crore (up 15% YoY), with a focus on green energy and urban mobility. Capital expenditure-to-GDP ratio hits 3.8 percent, a post-2014 high; Fiscal deficit narrows to 4.5 percent of GDP from 4.9 percent last year.
Opposition’s Rebuttal: A “Faceless” Giveaway to Corporates?
Several opposition parties such as Congress, Samajwadi Party and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) blasted the Budget 2026 as a budget that favours the elite and ignores the common man.
Many Southern state leaders openly criticized the NDA government saying their states did not get anything.
Leaders from the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab commented that the budget did not had anything for anyone.
They claimed that the entire concept of Budget 2026 was to spread lies, misinformation and tall claims when in reality, no purpose would be ever served.
Meanwhile, many sections of the industry such as the IMC Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and GTB Bharat welcomed the Budget 2026.
Economic Reality Check
If one sees the Budget 2026 from an economics point of view, the NDA has a point. The International Monetary Fund endorses the trajectory, forecasting 6.8 percent growth amid market slowdown and global uncertainty. The budget prioritizes stability over populism ahead of polls in many states.
