Consultations prepare ground for Union Budget 2025-26

New Delhi

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a pre-budget consultation meeting on Thursday, engaging with stakeholders and experts from the export, trade, and industry sectors to shape the Union Budget 2025-26.

The Ministry of Finance announced, “Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the fourth Pre-Budget Consultation with stakeholders and experts from export, trade and industry sectors in New Delhi.”

The session included Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, key secretaries from the Ministry of Finance, and the Chief Economic Adviser. This meeting is part of a series of consultations to gather insights from diverse sectors.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with economists and thought leaders at NITI Aayog to discuss strategies for the upcoming budget. Additionally, on December 20 in Jaisalmer, Sitharaman met with state finance ministers and Chief Ministers from various regions to address state-level priorities.

These discussions have also involved MSMEs, farmers’ associations, and economists, emphasizing the government’s inclusive approach to budget preparation. The formal budget drafting process for 2025-26 is underway, with the budget set to be presented on February 1, 2025.

The 2025-26 budget will mark Sitharaman’s eighth presentation and is anticipated to outline key economic strategies for the Modi administration’s current term.