Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh said the Budget for 2026–27 will be presented on Sunday, February 1, 2026. However, the government plans to release a new GDP series and an updated Consumer Price Index soon after. He said this sequence shows poor coordination in policy making.

In a post on X, Ramesh said State governments remain anxious about their share of central funds. He noted that the Finance Minister will announce the implementation of the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations. These recommendations will guide Centre–State tax sharing from 2026–27 to 2030–31.

Ramesh pointed out that many Budget estimates depend on GDP-linked ratios. The government will release the new GDP series on February 27, with 2022–23 as the base year. As a result, several Budget figures may need early revision.

He also flagged concerns over changes in the CPI basket. A lower weight for food prices could affect inflation estimates. In addition, the Wholesale Price Index may also see revisions in the coming months.

Ramesh said these overlapping changes weaken economic planning. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth Union Budget on February 1.

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Rajan said the Union Budget should connect clearly with India’s long-term goals. He explained that earlier five-year plans existed, yet budgets often failed to support them. Therefore, he urged the government to link fiscal decisions with a broader national strategy.

Union Budget 2026 needs long-term vision to make India more resilient and self-reliant. Rajan warned that the global economy faces serious risks due to geopolitical tensions. However, he also highlighted new opportunities from rapid growth in artificial intelligence.

He cautioned against excessive dependence on a few global players. Such reliance, he said, can make India vulnerable during global disruptions. Instead, India must strengthen domestic capabilities and diversify partnerships.

Rajan expressed hope that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget, scheduled for February 1, 2026, would push meaningful reforms. He welcomed steps like tariff rationalisation and investor-friendly state policies. Still, he said India needs more structural reforms.

He also called for stronger economic ties with neighbouring countries. According to Rajan, collaboration with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal can support stable growth. He concluded by urging India to restart bold reforms, similar to those seen in the 1990s.

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