Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has wrapped up ten rounds of Pre-Budget Consultations in New Delhi, marking a crucial step in the preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27. The wide-ranging discussions brought together experts, industry leaders, and representatives from major sectors of the economy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive and collaborative policy-making.
The meetings, held over the past several days, were attended by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, senior officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, the Chief Economic Adviser, and secretaries from various ministries. Each session focused on sector-specific issues, enabling the government to gather insights from stakeholders directly impacted by economic policy decisions.
The consultation series began with interactions with leading economists, followed by sessions with farmer organisations and agricultural experts. Subsequent rounds engaged representatives from MSMEs, capital markets, startups, manufacturing, the BFSI sector, information technology, tourism and hospitality, and finally trade unions and labour groups.
Stakeholders presented their views on critical areas such as economic growth, employment generation, investment climate, technological innovation, industrial competitiveness, financial sector stability, labour welfare, and sustainable development. Their recommendations highlighted priorities for strengthening the domestic economy while enhancing India's position in the global marketplace.
These pre-budget meetings are a long-standing practice of the Union Finance Ministry, aimed at ensuring that policy decisions are shaped by diverse and informed perspectives. The extensive consultations this year signal a continued focus on broad-based growth, resilience, and long-term development.
As per convention, the Union Budget for 2026-27 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. The inputs gathered during the consultations are expected to influence key policy announcements and fiscal strategies in the upcoming Budget.
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