Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her ninth Budget today

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to unveil measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could buffer the economy from global trade frictions, including U.S. tariffs.

Ms. Sitharaman’s sweeping income tax and GST cuts, together with spending on infrastructure and the RBI’s interest rate reductions, have so far helped the Indian economy withstand the punitive 50% tariff U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed on Indian goods. But now, she has to come up with measures to sustain the momentum.

Job creation is expected to feature prominently, with possible incentives linked to labour-intensive manufacturing, skilling and apprenticeships.

– PTI