Cabinet Clears Union Budget 2026–27 Ahead of Presentation In Parliament, Sitharaman Set to Table Ninth Times

The Union Cabinet on Sunday approved the Union Budget 2026–27 at a meeting held in Parliament and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clearing the final hurdle ahead of its presentation in the Lok Sabha.

The Cabinet meeting took place at Sansad Bhawan at 10 am. Following the approval, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proceeded to Parliament to present the Budget. Earlier in the day, she met President Droupadi Murmu and formally offered her a copy of the digital Budget.

The President also offered ‘dahi-cheeni’ (curd and sugar) to Sitharaman at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in keeping with tradition. The Finance Minister was seen carrying her trademark ‘bahi-khata’, a tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cloth bearing a golden-coloured national emblem.

Pre-Budget Rituals And Presentation

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Economic Advisor Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal and other senior officials accompanied the Finance Minister during the pre-Budget formalities.

Sitharaman was set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. In 2021, she transitioned to using a digital tablet to carry Budget documents, marking a shift towards a modern and eco-friendly approach. The ‘bahi-khata’ is a red pouch that holds the tablet containing the Budget papers.

For the occasion, the Finance Minister chose a deep maroon Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu. The saree featured a deep maroon base with a contrasting border and subtle gold detailing, paired with a yellow blouse.

Focus On Growth, Capex And Fiscal Discipline

Economists said the Budget is expected to strike a careful balance between sustaining growth momentum and maintaining fiscal consolidation, while also addressing near-term challenges arising from unprecedented geopolitical flux.

According to economists, the Budget is likely to place greater emphasis on capital expenditure, particularly in sectors considered strategically important in light of prevailing geopolitical compulsions.

While the FY26 Budget leaned more towards stimulating middle-class consumption through tax reliefs, the approach in the FY27 Budget towards boosting consumption is expected to be more selective.

Also Read: Sitharaman Set To Unveil Union Budget Amid Global Headwinds And Fiscal Balancing Act