Overview
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed the presentation at 11 a.m. on February 1, a Sunday, marking Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Union Budget.
- The Budget Session will run January 28 to April 2 in two phases, following President Droupadi Murmu’s approval on the government’s recommendation.
- KPMG’s pre-Budget survey urges tax simplification and faster dispute resolution, noting over 540,000 pending tax appeals and calling out specific direct and indirect tax pain points.
- Industry and market commentary points to priorities such as real estate tax rationalisation and MSME support, with some economists expecting an 8.5–9% growth target and capex of about Rs 12–12.2 lakh crore.
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns over fiscal federalism, sluggish private investment, declining household savings and rising inequality, with the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations shaping the backdrop.