Centre starts work on Budget 2026-27

Ministry starts meeting depts, agencies; FM consultations in Nov

- Gireesh Chandra Prasad

The Union finance ministry has kicked off discussions with multiple government departments and agencies ahead of the next Union budget, which is expected to be presented at the end of January next year.

Starting mid-November, officials led by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will consult state finance ministers, economists and industry representatives for inputs, two people aware of internal discussions said on the condition of anonymity. The budget will aim to make the country more self-reliant and prosperous, supported by forward-looking regulations, the people said.

According to one of the two people, the predominant theme of the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget is likely to be next-generation reforms, taking inputs from two central committees, both led by former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba. While one committee is working on an action plan to achieve developed country status by 2047, the other is studying regulatory reforms in the non-financial sector, the person said. Systemic reforms to improve investor sentiment and accelerate private investment cycle will get special attention in the budget, the person added.