FM Sitharaman's 8th Budget can't afford to abandon fiscal consolidation

The dilemma over the date of presentation aside, there is yet another reason why Ms Sitharaman's forthcoming Budget will be treated as a major event of historical significance

The Union government has kicked off its formal pre-Budget meetings with different groups of experts and stakeholders. For a variety of reasons, there is an air of expectancy around the Union Budget for 2026-27, which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present in February 2026. Or will she present it in January 2026? There is a reason for this doubt.

 

Since 2017, when the date for presenting the Union Budget was advanced to February 1, this will be the first time it falls on a Sunday. When Union Budgets used to be presented on the last day of February, the convention