New Delhi: Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 in Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday offered ‘dahi-cheeni’ (curd and sugar) to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Rashtrapati Bhavan, continuing a long-standing tradition associated with good fortune.
The symbolic ritual, regarded as an auspicious start before an important task, took place during the Finance Minister’s customary pre-Budget meeting with the President. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present during the interaction, where Sitharaman briefed the President on key aspects of the Budget.
Earlier, the Finance Minister was seen arriving at Rashtrapati Bhavan carrying her signature ‘bahi-khata’ — a tablet wrapped in a red cloth emblazoned with the golden national emblem. She was accompanied by senior officials, including Chief Economic Adviser Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal and other Finance Ministry officials.
Sitharaman is scheduled to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget at 11 am in the Lok Sabha, a milestone that will see her match former Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s record and surpass that of Pranab Mukherjee. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai continues to hold the record for presenting the highest number of Union Budgets, with ten to his credit.
The Budget will outline the estimated receipts and expenditures of the Government of India for the financial year 2026–27. In line with statutory requirements, the Finance Minister will also table two statements under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 — the Medium-term Fiscal Policy-cum-Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement and the Macro-Economic Framework Statement.
Additionally, Sitharaman will seek permission to introduce the Finance Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha and formally place it before the House. The Finance Bill provides the legal backing for the government’s taxation and financial proposals announced in the Budget.
Earlier this week, Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey for 2025–26 in Parliament, adhering to the tradition of presenting an assessment of the economy ahead of the Budget. Considered the government’s annual economic report card, the Survey offers a detailed review of economic performance over the past year and sets the context for upcoming fiscal decisions. Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Chief Economic Adviser, the document is presented in two parts covering various sectors of the economy.
The Budget Session of Parliament will comprise 30 sittings spread over 65 days and is scheduled to conclude on April 2. Both Houses will adjourn on February 13 for a recess and reconvene on March 9, allowing parliamentary committees to scrutinise the Demands for Grants of different ministries and departments
