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Sitharaman Makes History: India's First Woman Finance Minister's 9th Budget
1 Feb
Summary
- Nirmala Sitharaman to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget.
- This budget acts as a bridge between past expansionary policies and new tax laws.
- Focus shifts to tax compliance, GST payments, and business friction points.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for fiscal year 2026-27 this Sunday, marking her historic ninth consecutive term. This milestone positions her as the first woman finance minister in India to achieve this consecutive feat.
The Budget arrives at a pivotal moment, serving as a bridge between last year's expansionary policies and the new Income Tax Act of 2025. Expectations for personal taxation are moderate, with a likely focus on improving tax compliance, processing refunds faster, and resolving administrative bottlenecks.
Businesses are anticipating measures to simplify GST-linked payments, rationalize TDS rates, and clarify anomalies in share buyback taxation. The macroeconomic outlook indicates steady growth, projected at 6.8-7.2% real GDP growth for FY26-27, with a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% for FY26.
