Finance Ministers Who Presented Most Budgets in India: 2025 Update
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history with her 8th consecutive Union Budget, solidifying her legacy in India's economic roadmap.
Finance Ministers – Presented Most Budgets in India – 2025 Update- TAXSCAN
Finance Ministers – Presented Most Budgets in India – 2025 Update- TAXSCAN
The Union Budget is one of the most important annual financial exercises of the Government of India. It sets the economic direction for the country and outlines key fiscal policies. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, 2025, let's take a look at the history and records.
Union Budget 2025: In-Depth Analysis for Strategic Insights
Since 1947, Finance Ministers have played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic destiny by presenting multiple budgets. Some Finance Ministers hold records for presenting the highest number of Union Budgets, shaping policies that have transformed India’s economic landscape.
A Brief History of Union Budget in India
- First Budget of Independent India (1947): The first-ever Union Budget of Independent India was presented on November 26, 1947, by the first Finance Minister, R.K. Shanmukham Chetty.
- Colonial-Era Budget Timings (Pre-1999): Before 1999, the Union Budget was presented at 5:00 PM on the last working day of February. This colonial-era practice was meant to align with British timings.
- Change in Budget Timing (1999): In 1999, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha changed the budget timing to 11:00 AM, allowing for better discussions and implementation.
- Shift in Budget Date (2017): Since 2017, the Budget has been presented on February 1 to ensure that all proposals are approved before the new financial year (April 1 - March 31).
Finance Ministers with the Most Union Budget Presentations
Here’s a list of Finance Ministers who have presented the most budgets in India's history:
1. Morarji Desai – 10 Budgets (Record Holder)
- Served as Finance Minister: 1959-1964, 1967-1969
- Total Budgets Presented: 10
- Prime Ministers under whom he served: Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi
Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the highest number of budgets in India's history. His 10 budgets included:
- Six budgets (1959-1964) under Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Four budgets (1967-1969) under Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.
2. P. Chidambaram – 9 Budgets
- Served as Finance Minister: 1996-1997, 2004-2008, 2012-2014
- Total Budgets Presented: 9
- Prime Ministers under whom he served: H.D. Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral, Manmohan Singh
Chidambaram introduced the Dream Budget (1997), reducing tax rates and promoting economic growth.
3. Pranab Mukherjee – 8 Budgets
- Served as Finance Minister: 1982-1984, 2009-2012
- Total Budgets Presented: 8
- Prime Ministers under whom he served: Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh
Mukherjee’s budgets were key to India's financial stability post-2008 crisis.
4. Nirmala Sitharaman – 8 Budgets (Most Consecutive Budgets)
- Served as Finance Minister: 2019-Present
- Total Budgets Presented (including Interim Budget 2024): 8
- Prime Minister under whom she serves: Narendra Modi
Sitharaman holds the record for the most consecutive budgets (8 in a row).
- She introduced the longest budget speech in 2020 (2 hours 40 minutes).
- Focus areas include Atmanirbhar Bharat, infrastructure, and economic revival post-COVID-19.
5. Yashwantrao Chavan – 7 Budgets
- Served as Finance Minister: 1970-1971, 1977-1980
- Total Budgets Presented: 7
His budgets focused on agriculture and rural development.
6. Manmohan Singh – 6 Budgets
- Served as Finance Minister: 1991-1996
- Total Budgets Presented: 6
His 1991 Budget introduced economic liberalization, opening India to global markets.
Budget Records
| Finance Minister | Total Budgets | Most Consecutive Budgets |
| Morarji Desai | 10 | 5 (1959-1964) |
| P. Chidambaram | 9 | 5 (2004-2008) |
| Pranab Mukherjee | 8 | 5 (2009-2012) |
| Nirmala Sitharaman | 8 | 8 (2019-2025) – Most Consecutive |
| Yashwantrao Chavan | 7 | 4 (1977-1980) |
| Manmohan Singh | 6 | 5 (1991-1995) |
Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025-26: When & Where
Date & Time
- Date: February 1, 2025 (Saturday)
- Time: 11:00 AM IST onwards
- Location: Parliament of India, New Delhi
Where to Watch Budget 2025 LIVE?
TV Channels:
- Sansad TV (Lok Sabha TV & Rajya Sabha TV)
- Doordarshan
- News Channels (NDTV, CNBC, Republic, Times Now, etc.)
Online Streaming:
- Ministry of Finance YouTube Channel
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) Youtube Channel
- YouTube channels of news portals
What to Expect in Budget 2025?
With India's economy slowing down, The most expected ones are:
1. Income Tax Reforms: Tax relaxation is expected for salaried individuals earning up to Rs. 15 lakh annually. The standard deduction may increase from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. Rebate under Section 87A is likely to increase to Rs. 10 lakh.
2. Boosting Industrial & Economic Growth: Focus on manufacturing, infrastructure, and MSMEs. Startup-friendly policies to boost entrepreneurship.
3. Healthcare Initiatives: Duty exemptions on cancer drugs. Special focus on non-communicable diseases.
4. Privatization & PSU Disinvestment: Major PSU disinvestment plans (following Air India and LIC privatization).
For more Budget expectations check out here.
With her 8th consecutive budget on February 1, 2025, Nirmala Sitharaman will join Pranab Mukherjee on the list of Finance Ministers with the highest number of budget presentations (8 in total).
Will she continue beyond 2025 and break Morarji Desai’s record of 10 budgets? We’ll have to wait and watch!
Union Budget 2025: In-Depth Analysis for Strategic Insights
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