Budget 2026 countdown: Will middle class, farmers and rail users get big gains?

As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, experts say the Centre may focus on tax relief for the middle class, higher support for farmers, and faster infrastructure growth

With the Union Budget 2026 around the corner, expectations are running high across the country. According to economic experts, the central government is likely to announce major relief measures for the middle class, farmers, and senior citizens, while giving strong emphasis to rural income growth and infrastructure development.

One of the biggest expectations revolves around income tax relief for salaried taxpayers. Under the new tax regime, the government is reportedly considering increasing the standard deduction to ₹1 lakh from the existing level. If this proposal is implemented, individuals earning up to ₹13 lakh annually may not have to pay any income tax. At present, tax exemption is available only up to ₹12.75 lakh. Experts believe this move could encourage more taxpayers to shift from the old tax regime to the new one.

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The farming community is also expected to receive a significant boost. The government is said to be seriously evaluating a proposal to increase the annual assistance under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000. Nearly 11 crore farmer families across the country would directly benefit from this decision. Although this would place an additional financial burden of around ₹95,000 crore per year on the exchequer, economists say it could greatly strengthen the rural economy.

Railway infrastructure is another key focus area. To address the long-standing waiting list problem in train ticket bookings, the government has reportedly set a target of eliminating waiting lists by 2030. As part of this plan, the Budget may announce over 300 new Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains. In the previous Budget, railways received an allocation of ₹2.65 lakh crore, and this figure is expected to increase further in 2026.

Overall, analysts believe the Union Budget 2026 aims to put more money in the hands of ordinary citizens, boost rural demand, and take India’s infrastructure growth to the next level.