Historic Seventh Budget: Nirmala Sitharaman's Record-Breaking Presentation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to make history by presenting her seventh consecutive budget, surpassing Morarji Desai's record. This milestone budget is expected to focus on post-pandemic fiscal consolidation and long-term growth, with priorities including tax benefits, infrastructure, manufacturing, and addressing job creation, income inequality, and rural distress.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history by presenting her seventh consecutive budget for 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to prioritize post-pandemic fiscal consolidation while aiming to boost consumption, particularly through tax benefits for the middle class. Key areas of focus will include agriculture, capital expenditure, infrastructure, and a push for manufacturing.

As India remains a key player in global growth, the budget will also likely address major trends such as global offshoring, digitalization, and energy transition. Despite achievements in infrastructure and tax cuts, the government faces challenges in job creation, income inequality, and rural distress.

Sitharaman, India's first full-time female finance minister, is poised to break Desai's record with her upcoming budget. While Desai holds the record for presenting the most budgets at 10, his consecutive streak spanned five full budgets and one interim budget between 1959 and 1964.

The history of budget presentations includes notable figures and milestones, such as the longest speech by Sitharaman in 2020 and the first budget by RK Shanmukham Chetty in 1947. The presentation timing and dates have evolved over the years to streamline the approval and implementation process.

(With inputs from agencies.)