Nirmala Sitharaman speech highlights: Budget gives big boost to manufacturing, semiconductors, rare earth

Nirmala Sitharaman speech highlights: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained the Union Budget 2026 in a post-budget press conference, saying the government is focused on creating employment and tech-driven development.

Nirmala Sitharaman speech LIVE: FM Sitharaman rejects Rahul Gandhi’s Budget criticism, says economy’s fundamentals strong (Hindustan Times)

Nirmala Sitharaman speech highlights: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday concluded her Budget 2026-27 speech in the Lok Sabha in nearly one-and-a-half hours long address, laying out the government’s economic roadmap anchored in growth, investment and fiscal stability. Key announcements included a sharp push to public capital expenditure at ₹12.2 lakh crore in 2026-27. The finance minister announced government's renewed outlook with a thrust on manufacturing, semiconductors and MSMEs....Read More

Follow all the updates here:

Pinned

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:56:39 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Defence budget hike introduced post Operation Sindoor

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: India on Sunday set aside ₹7,84,678 crore as defence outlay for 2026-27 in a steep hike of 15% over last year's allocation of ₹6.81 lakh crore, with its military majorly focusing on boosting combat prowess.

  The increase in the defence outlay came against the backdrop of “historic success of Operation Sindoor,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:29:47 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Union Budget allocation for Delhi remains unchanged

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The allocations for Delhi under the Union Budget for 2026-27, remain unchanged at ₹1,348 crore, the same amount as the previous year.

  Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the budget, highlighting that it is a step toward realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:58:31 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Sitharaman says India will spend record amount on infrastructure and defence

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: India will spend a record amount on infrastructure and defence, the finance minister said in her national budget speech on Sunday, with plans for high-speed rail, submarines and fighter jets.

  It plans to spend $133 billion on infrastructure and $85 billion on defence, a respective rise of around nine and 15 percent compared to last year's budget.

• 1 Feb 2026, 08:33:28 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Budget gives big boost to manufacturing ecosystem

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Budget on Sunday sought to give a big boost to the country's manufacturing ecosystem by focusing on seven 'strategic and frontier sectors' including rare earth magnets, textiles, semiconductors, and containers.

  Scaling up of manufacturing is one of the three 'Kartavya' announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her ninth Budget speech to achieve the goal of "Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

• 2 Feb 2026, 07:34:01 AM IST

  Updates on this blog have ended.

  Updates on this blog have ended.

• 1 Feb 2026, 09:27:26 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Union Minister Jitendra Singh hails budget as ‘futuristic' blueprint

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday described the Union Budget 2026-27 as a "very futuristic" blueprint, charting a roadmap for the next 25 years, including India's 2047 vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

  "It is a very futuristic budget and a budget for the next quarter of a century... it lays out the roadmap for the next 25 years, which also includes the year 2047 of 'Viksit Bharat'... I'm glad that most of the new announcements from the finance minister today are related to technology.

• 1 Feb 2026, 08:55:02 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Government announces second phase of semiconductor mission, promote chip manufacturing

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The government has announced the next edition of India Semiconductor Mission with a broad objective to promote chip manufacturing ecosystem, covering equipment, materials, indigenous designs and other components that are required to produce the high-tech components.

  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, without announcing the outlay for the scheme, proposed that the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 will also focus on industry-led research and training centres.

• 1 Feb 2026, 08:14:43 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: CM Naidu calls Budget forward-looking, says it supports Andhra priorities

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday welcomed the Union Budget, describing it as forward-looking and aligned with the state government's development priorities, PTI reported.

  Describing the Union Budget as "well-balanced and forward-looking", he said it reflects India's self-reliance and will consolidate the country's position in manufacturing.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:47:21 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Kejriwal says budget will create unemployment

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the Union Budget will increase inflation and create unemployment, PTI reported.

  Speaking to reporters, he also said there was nothing for Goa in the Budget presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

  "The central government has forgotten Goa," he claimed.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:40:12 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: A look at healthcare efforts announced in Budget?

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Union Budget has raised allocation for the healthcare sector by 10 per cent to ₹1,06,530.42 crore.

  As part of its focus on mental health, the Budget proposed the establishment of NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) 2.0.

  The Budget also proposed the establishment of five regional medical and medical tourism hubs in partnership with the private sector, integrating clinical care, AYUSH and post-treatment rehabilitation.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:23:19 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: What Union Budget changed for direct taxes?

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a slew of tax-related changes and proposals in the Union Budget, and also left some provisions and measures at status quo.

  While some of these proposals were aimed at providing relief to common taxpayers and simplifying compliance, others, like the STT hike will reduce net profits for active traders.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:16:49 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: A look at what gets cheaper and what's costlier after Budget

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: In the Union Budget 2026-2027, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that products, including aircraft parts, microwave parts, essential drugs and some imported goods, are set to attract lower custom duty, thereby making them cheaper.

  Luxury watches and imported alcohol are among the items that are set to be costlier. Sin goods, like cigarettes, 'beedis', pan masala, and gutka will also get costlier.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:12:34 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: What government is doing to boost Medical Value Tourism?

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget on Sunday, announced a series of transformative measures aimed at positioning India as a global hub for Medical Value Tourism (MVT).

  To promote India as a preferred destination for medical tourism services, the Government has proposed to support States in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs, in partnership with the private sector.

• 1 Feb 2026, 07:05:26 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Himachal CPI(M) slams Budget, says Centre ignored state's interests

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Himachal Pradesh unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday slamed the Union Budget, alleging that the central government has completely ignored the interests of small and hill states such as Himachal Pradesh, PTI reported.

  In a press statement, CPI(M) state secretary Sanjay Chauhan said Himachal Pradesh is a revenue-deficit state grappling with a severe economic crisis, but the Budget has failed to offer any meaningful support.

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:52:11 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: How much allocation did Department of Space receive in Budget?

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹13,705.60 crore for the Department of Space. The allocation in the Union Budget for 2026-27 is a marginal increase over the budgetary estimate of ₹13,416 crore for the current fiscal.

  The Department of Space actually received ₹12,448.60 crore as per the revised estimates for 2025-26.

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:39:53 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: MK Stalin criticise budget, calls it ‘dissapointment’

  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday strongly criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that it has once again ignored the interests of Tamil Nadu and failed to address the needs of any section of society.

  "The Union Government's Budget, which was eagerly awaited, has delivered an even greater disappointment than usual," ANI quoted Stalin as saying.

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:32:04 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Hospitality industry welcomes Budget, disappointed over infrastructure status

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The hospitality industry welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday but expressed disappointment that its long-pending demand for comprehensive infrastructure status was not met.

  The President of Hotel Association of India (HAI), K B Kachru, said, Budget 2026-27 “reflects a strong focus on accelerating and sustaining economic growth”, PTI quoted him as saying.

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:24:43 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Majhi says Budget to boost Odisha’s logistics, industrial ecosystem

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday described the Union Budget as "forward-looking and inclusive" and asserted that it would boost the state's logistics and industrial ecosystem.

  Noting that the Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament earlier in the day, focuses on the development of youth and farmers, Majhi said, “This provides new opportunities for youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, middle class, and recognition for workers.”

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:13:59 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Piyush Goyal says Union Budget foundation for 'Viksit Bharat' 2047

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday described the Union Budget as 'future-ready' for a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

  Union Minister said,"This is a budget that lays the foundation for 'Viksit Bharat' 2047. This is Budget is for future-ready India. It inspires people to work with dedication."

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:09:38 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Over ₹95,000 crore allocated for VB-G RAM G in budget

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: As the VB-G RAM G scheme is set to be rolled out, the Centre has allocated ₹95,692.31 crore for it, while an allocation of ₹30,000 crore has been made for the MGNREGA.

  Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the overall Budget of the Department of Rural Development has increased by around 21 per cent, and stressed that the allocations will take the nation towards "self-reliant and developed villages".

• 1 Feb 2026, 06:02:27 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Indian Youth Congress protest against budget, cite economic concerns

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Indian Youth Congress on Sunday staged a protest in the national capital against the Union Budget 2026, raising concerns over issues related to employment, inflation and welfare measures, a party statement said.

  Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib alleged that the budget had failed to address the aspirations of young people and vulnerable sections of society.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:51:04 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: PM Modi says budget will increase income of farmers, empower poor

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the Union Budget presented in Parliament earlier in the day will empower the poor, increase the income of farmers and boost the Make in India initiative.

  “This is a budget to strengthen villages. This is a budget to increase farmers' income,” PM said in Jalandhar.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:45:36 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Sitharaman announces AI tool for agriculture sector

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: In her budget speech on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources), a multi-lingual artificial intelligence tool to integrate agristack portals and the ICAR package on farm practices. This move will help provide customised advisory support to farmers.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:40:29 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Tharoor slams Budget, says ‘completely short of overall vision’

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday used a cricketing analogy to express his disappointment with the Union Budget, saying Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman "seems to have missed the ball".

  In an interview with PTI at the news agency's headquarters, Tharoor said Sitharaman's Budget speech seemed to have "lots of subheadings but very few specifics", and was "completely short" of an overall vision.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:35:43 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: ₹2,77,830 crore allocated to Ministry of Railways

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday allocated ₹2,77,830 crore to the Ministry of Railways for capital expenditure in the financial year 2026–27.

  The Budget allocation includes the construction of new lines and the purchase of locomotives, wagons, and coaches, among other works.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:31:13 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Budget to boost air connectivity, improve aviation manufacturing

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced various measures to boost tourism, including giving a push for seaplane operations.

  Basic customs duty exemption has been announced for components and parts required for the manufacture of civilian, training and other aircraft.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:25:17 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Chidambaram says Union Budget ‘failed test of economic strategy’

  
  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday said that the Union Budget 2026-27 has failed the test of economic strategy and economic statesmanship, PTI reported. He said that centre's capital expenditure has fallen and funds have been cut in crucial sectors and programmes.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:20:13 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Chhattisgarh CM says budget ‘strengthens resolve of developed India’

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Describing the Union Budget 2026–27 as a decisive step towards a developed India, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said the budget presents a clear roadmap for inclusive growth, employment generation and social justice.

  The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the budget places the aspirations of the poor, farmers, youth, women and the middle class at its core.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:16:32 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Budget evokes mixed response from Delhi traders

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Union Budget drew mixed responses from trader organisations in Delhi. BJP MP and Secretary General of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Praveen Khandelwal, described the budget as “an excellent blend of visionary thinking,” PTI quoted him as saying.

  However, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) reportedly called the budget a “mixture of happiness & sadness.”

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:12:19 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Himanta hails Union Budget as 'reform-oriented', says Assam will benefit

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hailed the Union Budget as a "reform-oriented" one from which the entire eastern region, including the state, will "benefit meaningfully".

  In a series of X posts, Himanta said the Budget maintained a fine balance between India's global aspirations and grassroots development.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:08:01 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Defence Secretary hails ‘significant boost’ in defence budget

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Sunday welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27, describing it as a "significant boost" for the country's defence preparedness, ANI reported.

  He highlighted that the allocations will strengthen modernisation, capital expenditure, and overall operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:04:47 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: External Affairs Minister congratulates Sitharaman for presenting budget

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday congratulated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget with the message of Reform Express.

  In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Congratulate Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji for presenting a budget with the message that the Reform Express rolls on. As we enter the second quarter of this Century, these budget proposals will be crucial to shaping our prospects."

• 1 Feb 2026, 05:01:51 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Budget to support AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 schools

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced support to setting up content creator labs across 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, a flagship initiative of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

  "India's Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector is a growing industry, projected to require two million professionals by 2030," Sitharaman said in her budget speech.

• 1 Feb 2026, 04:56:57 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: ‘Budget exposes continued neglect of Kerala,’ says CM Vijayan

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused the Centre of continuing to discriminate against the state, saying the Union Budget exposed “severe discrimination and neglect” towards Kerala, reported PTI.

• 1 Feb 2026, 04:46:02 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Centre plans five university townships near industrial hubs

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the Centre plans to set up five university townships near major industrial and logistics hubs to provide greater flexibility in higher education.

  “The centre is planning to set up 5 university townships near major industrial logistic hubs to offer flexibility in higher education, curb brain drain,” she said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 04:29:30 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM Sitharaman rejects LoP Rahul Gandhi’s Budget criticism

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Responding to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s post on X criticising the Union Budget, Sitharaman on Sunday said she did not understand what “course correction” was being referred to, asserting that India’s economic fundamentals remain strong.

  Sitharaman said that while global uncertainty has impacted several sectors, the government has rolled out multiple schemes to support small and medium enterprises, textiles, leather, rural workers, farmers, women entrepreneurs and self-help groups to cushion them from external volatility.

  She added that political criticism was welcome, but said she was open to responding to arguments backed by facts, underlining that the Budget focuses on protecting ordinary citizens from global economic shocks.

• 1 Feb 2026, 04:18:13 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: ‘Budget incomprehensible, big promises without action,’ says RJD’s Misa Bharti

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: RJD MP Misa Bharti on Sunday criticised the Union Budget, saying it was difficult to understand and heavy on promises without follow-through.

  She said, "We are not able to understand the budget. Big promises have been made. Every budget presented so far has made promises, but the government does not act accordingly. Nothing has been said about women, farmers, youth, and railways in it... This budget is completely incomprehensible," reported ANI.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:50:32 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: NCRTC allocation cut by about 25% to over ₹2,000 crore

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: The Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated over ₹2,000 crore to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), marking a nearly 25% decline from the previous year’s outlay.

  The joint venture company, tasked with implementing the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project, has been allotted ₹2,200 crore for the coming financial year, compared with ₹2,918 crore in 2025–26 and ₹3,855 crore in 2024–25.

  While presenting the Budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked ₹1,324 crore under revenue expenditure and ₹876 crore under capital expenditure for the regional rapid rail project.

  According to Budget documents, the allocation is aimed at supporting efforts to decongest the Delhi–NCR region and reduce pollution by promoting faster and cleaner public transport, reported PTI news agency.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:36:53 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Seven more rare diseases added to duty exemption list, says FM

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that seven additional rare diseases have been included under the import duty exemption for medicines and specialised medical food. She also announced enhanced duty-free allowances for travellers, aimed at providing further relief to individuals importing essential items.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:34:28 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Rajnath Singh hails defence outlay, says Budget lays foundation for Viksit Bharat

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Defence minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27, saying it fulfils the sentiments and expectations of the people and strengthens the Prime Minister’s resolve for a self-reliant and developed India by 2047.

  “This budget fulfils the sentiments and expectations of the people. This budget provides a strong foundation for the Prime Minister’s resolve for a self-reliant and a developed India by 2047, in which appropriate provisions have been made for the upliftment of all sections of society. In this budget, a provision of ₹7.85 lakh crore has been made for the defence sector. I express my heartfelt gratitude,” Singh said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:29:26 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM explains Budget 2026, says it aims to boost growth, productivity, and employment

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while explaining the proposals of Union Budget 2026-27, highlighted that the Budget is designed to maintain growth momentum through sustained economic expansion. She said it focuses on building an ecosystem with structural reforms to improve productivity and create an environment that ensures employment generation across sectors.

  The emphasis on growth, reforms, and job creation reflects the government’s push for a tech-driven and inclusive economic framework.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:21:15 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM Sitharaman outlines biopharma investment in post-Budget press conference

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman detailed key proposals from Union Budget 2026-27 at a post-Budget press conference. She highlighted a ₹10,000 crore investment in the biopharma sector over the next five years, aimed at ensuring India maintains its leadership in the global bio-pharma industry.

  "Budget proposing ₹10,000 cr investment in biopharma sector over next five years ensures India maintains lead in the sector," she added.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:18:45 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM Sitharaman responds on Budget focus for election-bound states

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: When asked why the Union Budget 2026-27 did not give special emphasis to states with upcoming elections like West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government faces criticism either way.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:13:09 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM confident rare earth corridors will mirror defence corridor success

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed optimism about India’s new rare earth corridors, drawing parallels with the achievements of existing defence corridors.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:10:27 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Rahul Gandhi says Budget 2026 blind to India’s real crises

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, saying it fails to address the pressing challenges facing the country. "This Budget is blind to India’s real crises," he said

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:05:02 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM says decriminalisation of ‘penalty proceedings’ a key highlight

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said key features of the Union Budget 2026-27 include decriminalising penalty proceedings and introducing major reforms in the IT and services sectors.

• 1 Feb 2026, 03:00:42 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: FM Sitharaman addressed post-Budget presser

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a post-Budget press conference, she said Union Budget 2026 presented a with “everyone’s support and development in mind.”

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:52:27 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman live updates: Mamata Banerjee calls Budget 2026 a ‘Humpty-Dumpty Budget’

  Budget 2026 LIVE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Union Budget 2026-27, calling it a mere “juggler of words” and criticising its focus.

  "It's a 'Humpty-Dumpty Budget', just jugglery of words, it's anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-education. Centre wants to destroy the economic structure of the country," she said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:25:15 PM IST

  Budget 2026 LIVE: PM Modi hails Budget as vision of trust-based, human-centric governance

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Union Budget 2026-27, describing it as a blueprint for governance built on trust and a human-centric economic framework.

  "This budget embodies vision of trust-based governance, human-centric economic framework," PM Modi said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:23:53 PM IST

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Congress' Kharge slams Budget, says Modi govt has run out of ideas

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, saying it fails to address India’s pressing economic, social, and political challenges.

  "Modi government has run out of ideas; this Budget doesn’t provide any solution to India’s economic, social, or political challenges," Kharge said.

  His remarks reflect the opposition’s view that the Budget largely overlooks issues affecting the broader population, while focusing on select sectors and initiatives.

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:19:05 PM IST

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Budget a strong foundation for vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, says PM Modi

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Heaping praise on Union Budget 2026-27, PM Modi said that it was a strong foundation for India's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Watch his address:

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:14:03 PM IST

  Budget 2026 LIVE: PM Modi heaps praise on ‘ambitious’ budget, says it addresses India's aspirations

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country on Sunday and said that the Union Budget 2026-27 was “ambitious” and addressed India's aspirations.

  “I would like to congratulate Nirmala ji and her entire team for this futuristic and sensitive Budget that serves the poor and the farmers,” PM Modi said.

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:08:04 PM IST

  Budget 2026 LIVE: PM Modi addresses the country after Sitharaman's Parliament speech

  Budget 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country hours after Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 in the Parliament.

• 1 Feb 2026, 02:06:59 PM IST

  Nirmala Sitharaman speech live updates: Cooperative sector entities get tax benefits in new Budget

  Nirmala Sitharaman speech live updates: In her budget speech, Nirmala Sitharaman reportedly announced tax benefits for cooperative sector entities engaged in the supply of cattle feed and cotton seed.