FM Nirmala Sitharaman Chairs Pre-Budget Consultation with Leading Economists
The discussions intended at including different sectoral insights to make sure that the upcoming Budget remains inclusive, growth-oriented, and responsive to stakeholders’ expectations.
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the first Pre-Budget Consultation meeting with leading economists in New Delhi, as part of the preparatory exercise for the coming Union Budget 2026-27.
The consultation was attended by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Chief Economic Adviser, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, who engaged in detailed discussions with prominent economists on the country’s macroeconomic outlook, fiscal policy, investment environment, and growth priorities.
In a subsequent session, the Finance Minister chaired the second Pre-Budget Consultation meeting with representatives from farmers’ associations and agricultural economists, focusing on agriculture sector priorities, rural development, and measures to improve farm productivity and income in the upcoming Budget.
The meeting was also attended by Secretaries from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Department of Economic Affairs. The discussions intended at including different sectoral insights to make sure that the upcoming Budget remains inclusive, growth-oriented, and responsive to stakeholders’ expectations.
The Union Budget for 2026-27 is expected to be presented on February 1, 2026, during the first half of the Budget Session of Parliament. This continues the practice introduced in 2017, when the government advanced the Budget presentation date to February 1 to allow for early approval of expenditure.
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