FM Sitharaman to present 8th consecutive budget, President Murmu offers ‘dahi-cheeni’

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2025-26, marking her record eighth consecutive budget. The announcement is highly anticipated, with expectations of relief measures for the middle class grappling with high inflation and stagnant wages while maintaining fiscal prudence.

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Ahead of the budget speech, President Droupadi Murmu performed the traditional gesture of offering ‘dahi-cheeni’ (curd and sugar) to Sitharaman for good fortune. Addressing a joint session of Parliament, the President highlighted the government's efforts to steer the economy out of "policy paralysis," despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 aftermath and geopolitical tensions.

According to the Economic Survey tabled earlier, India's economy is projected to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26. The survey emphasized the need for structural reforms and deregulation to sustain long-term growth, while investment activity is expected to rise.

The Budget Session will see the introduction of sixteen bills, including the Finance Bill 2025, proposed amendments to the Waqf and Banking Regulations Act, and a merger of the Indian Railways and Indian Railways Board Acts.

With economic revival and fiscal discipline in focus, all eyes are on Sitharaman’s proposals to balance growth and welfare measures.