The date on which Union Budget is presented was changed from February-end to February 1 in 2017, while its presentation time was changed from 5:00pm to 11:00am in 1999. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman switched from a briefcase to a cloth-wrapped 'bahi khata' to carry Budget documents in 2019. Sitharaman presented India's first paperless Budget in 2021 on a Made-in-India tablet.

Confident Group owner CJ Roy, who shot himself at his Bengaluru office amid ongoing income tax raids, had reportedly told colleagues that he wanted to speak to his mother. He allegedly asked security staff to not let anyone inside the room. Roy was found unresponsive when the staff forced open the door after Roy did not respond to repeated knocking.

The Union Budget is prepared to identify areas of weakness and strategically allocate resources to address them. It helps the government reduce economic inequality through welfare schemes and policies, support underprivileged sections, generate employment, and regulate taxation across sectors. The Union Budget is considered a road map for the economic growth of a nation.

Fifteen days before the Budget's presentation, security at Finance Ministry is tightened, with CISF and Intelligence Bureau officials deployed. One week before the presentation, ministry becomes a no-go zone. Officials involved in Budget-making are closely monitored, and Budget draft remains secret. Full Budget document is printed just 24 hours before Finance Minister presents it in Parliament.

Union Budget 2026 is expected to emphasise fiscal discipline and reform execution over big spending announcements. Sectors such as defence, infrastructure, export sectors, automobiles, electric mobility, consumption, semiconductors, real estate, and fertilisers will be key focus areas. For railways, experts expect higher allocations toward track upgradation and signalling.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will interact with around 30 college students from across the country after presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday. As part of the initiative, the students will also get to witness the live presentation of the Budget from the Lok Sabha Gallery. The students come from a variety of academic disciplines and states, the ministry said.

The 1997 Union Budget, which was presented by the then-Finance Minister P Chidambaram, is popularly called 'Dream Budget' for its bold reforms. The budget cut the highest personal income tax rate from 40% to 30% and reduced corporate tax for Indian firms to 35%. The Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme was introduced, allowing people to declare undisclosed income without penalties.

Personal income tax relief remains the most direct consumer ask. Households are looking for stability in food and vegetable prices. Government is expected to place more emphasis to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio. Central government capex is projected to grow by around 13% year-on-year and defence allocation may be in focus. Automobile and US tariff-hit sectors can be in focus.

The word 'budget' comes from an Old French word 'bougette', meaning a small bag. In 18th century, the use of the word spread to England, where it came to designate the leather bag in which ministers carried financial plans to parliament, and eventually it became synonymous with its contents. In India, the Union Budget is presented on February 1.

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