Union Budget 2026–27: FM Sitharaman emphasises inclusive, youth-driven growth

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday presented the Union Budget 2026–27, underlining the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and a development model driven by youth participation.

She said the Budget aims to ensure that the “dividends of growth reach every farmer, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, nomads, youth, the poor and women.”

Highlighting inputs from the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, Sitharaman described the Budget as a “unique Yuva Shakti–driven Budget,” noting that several innovative ideas shared with the Prime Minister have shaped key proposals. “Our Sankalp is to focus on the poor, underprivileged and the disadvantaged,” she said.

Calling it the first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhawan, the Finance Minister said it is guided by three Kartavyas. “Our first Kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness,” she said. “Our second Kartavya is to fulfil the aspirations of our people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India’s path to prosperity.”

The third Kartavya, Sitharaman said, is aligned with the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities.

Reflecting on the government’s economic record, the Finance Minister said that since assuming office 12 years ago, the country’s economic trajectory has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation.

Reiterating the focus on self-reliance, Sitharaman said, “Keeping Aatmanirbharta as a lodestar, we have built domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthened energy security and reduced critical import dependencies.” These measures, she said, have supported employment generation, improved agricultural productivity and enhanced household purchasing power, delivering a high growth rate of around 7 per cent along with significant poverty reduction.

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Emphasising continued reforms, Sitharaman added that the government has pursued far-reaching structural reforms with fiscal prudence and monetary stability, while maintaining a strong thrust on public investment and self-reliance.