Finance minister
Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make a
historic mark in India’s parliamentary history as she prepares to present the
Union Budget 2026–27 on
February 1, 2026 — her
ninth consecutive Budget presentation in Parliament. This achievement makes her the
longest‑serving finance minister in India’s continuous history for budget presentations.
📍 Setting a Unique Record
While several finance ministers in india have had long tenures,
Sitharaman’s streak is unprecedented because it is
unbroken — she has presented the Budget every year since her appointment in
May 2019. No other finance minister in independent india has achieved this feat of
nine budgets in a row.
🏆 What the Record Means
Longest Continuous Tenure
Sitharaman overtakes all past finance ministers who managed to deliver multiple Budgets, including notable names like
P Chidambaram (who presented nine Budgets but not consecutively) and
Pranab Mukherjee (eight budgets overall).
📅 Approaching the All‑Time High
Currently, the
all‑time record for the most Budgets presented is held by
former prime minister Morarji Desai, who delivered
10 Budgets between 1959 and 1969 across two separate tenures. If Sitharaman delivers another Budget after 2026, she will
match Desai’s historic total — all in one continuous stretch.
👩💼 A Milestone for Continuity and Leadership
Sitharaman’s long run reflects
continuity in economic leadership in India. The consistency in presenting the Budget year after year has coincided with
major economic policy decisions, fiscal planning, and reforms aimed at addressing emerging challenges, such as the post‑pandemic recovery and global uncertainties.
📜 Beyond Numbers: Records Within Records
Sitharaman has also been associated with other Budget milestones. In
2020, her
Budget speech became the longest in indian history, lasting over
2 hours and 40 minutes. While this is separate from the consecutive budget record, it underlines her significant imprint on the tradition of Budget presentation itself.
📈 What to Expect from Budget 2026–27
The
Union Budget 2026–27 will outline India’s fiscal strategy for the coming financial year, including spending priorities, tax proposals, and reforms aimed at boosting growth and investment. As always, it will be closely watched by investors, businesses, and citizens alike for signals on economic direction.
🧠 PM Modi Acknowledges the Achievement
Prime minister
Narendra Modi has described Sitharaman’s run of nine straight Budgets as a
matter of pride for the nation’s parliamentary history, reinforcing her role in shaping economic governance at a critical time.
📍 Bottom Line
With the
Union Budget 2026–27,
Nirmala Sitharaman will secure her place as one of India’s most consistent and influential finance ministers. Her ninth consecutive Budget underscores not just longevity but also the
stability and continuity of fiscal leadership in India’s evolving economic landscape.
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