Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will create parliamentary history when she presents Budget 2026 on a Sunday, marking the first time in India's legislative history that the Union Budget will be presented on a weekend. This unprecedented scheduling breaks from traditional weekday presentations that have been the norm since India's budget presentations began.

Historic Milestone in Parliamentary Proceedings

The Sunday presentation represents a significant departure from established parliamentary conventions. Unlike previous weekend presentations in 1987 and 1999, this marks the first Sunday budget presentation in the country's parliamentary history. This will be Sitharaman's ninth budget presentation, positioning her just one presentation away from matching Morarji Desai's record of 10 budgets.

Evolution of Budget Timing and Process

The current budget presentation timing reflects a major policy shift implemented in 2017. The government moved the presentation date from the conventional end of February to February 1, marking the 10th anniversary of this pragmatic decision. This change enables parliamentary scrutiny of the budget, completion of the legislative process, and allows the government to access treasury funds from April 1, eliminating the need for a mandatory vote-on-account.

The Budget session structure demonstrates this streamlined approach:

Constitutional and Historical Context

Interestingly, the term "Budget" does not appear in the Indian Constitution. Article 112 refers to the "Annual Financial Statement," while the word "Budget" is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha. This linguistic distinction highlights the formal constitutional framework underlying India's annual financial exercise.

Journey from Colonial Legacy to Independent India

India's budget presentation tradition began during British rule when WM Hailey presented the first annual financial statement to the Central Legislative Assembly on March 1, 1921. The Government of India Act granted conditional power to the House to provide or withhold assent to proposed expenditures. The last British India budget was presented in February 1947 and passed in March.

Post-independence, Finance Minister R K Shanmukham Chetty had the honor of presenting independent India's first budget on November 26, 1947. This historic presentation covered the period from August 15, 1947, to March 31, 1948:

Notable Parliamentary Precedents

Several unique situations have shaped India's budget presentation history. In 1952, Finance Minister C D Deshmukh presented two budgets in one year due to the transition to elected Parliament. Prime Ministers have occasionally presented budgets when holding concurrent finance portfolios - Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958, Indira Gandhi in 1970, and Rajiv Gandhi in 1987.

The Railway Budget maintained separate presentation from 1924 to 2017, following a Central Legislative Assembly resolution. This practice, stemming from a 1921 suggestion to separate railway finance from general finance, was eventually integrated into the general budget.

Modern Parliamentary Procedures

Contemporary budget scrutiny has evolved significantly since 1993, when Departmental Related Standing Committees took over the examination of demands from direct Lok Sabha discussions. This system, formalized during the 10th Lok Sabha under Speaker Shivraj Patil, enables detailed ministry-wise analysis during the budget session break.

Sitharaman has also overseen presentation format transitions, moving from traditional briefcases to red-wrapped covers symbolizing "Bahi-Khata" (traditional bookkeeping) in 2019, and subsequently to tablet-based presentations, advancing Parliament's digitization efforts.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has presented the state's infrastructure priorities to the Centre during the pre-budget consultation for Union Budget 2026-27, emphasizing the state's commitment to fiscal discipline while seeking support for critical development projects.

Pre-Budget Consultation Details

The high-level meeting was chaired by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday. The consultation brought together governors, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, and finance ministers of states and union territories, along with senior finance ministry officials to discuss priorities, fiscal challenges, and policy inputs for the forthcoming Union Budget.

State's Fiscal Performance

During the consultation, Mein highlighted Arunachal Pradesh's strong fiscal management record despite facing remoteness and long-standing developmental challenges. The state has demonstrated steady progress in recent years while maintaining strict fiscal discipline in accordance with the Arunachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2006.

Priority Infrastructure Projects

The Deputy Chief Minister presented several key infrastructure requirements to the Centre, focusing on projects critical for the state's development and strategic importance.

Water Supply and Urban Infrastructure

Mein emphasized the urgent need for augmentation of water supply and drainage systems in Itanagar and other urban areas across the state. This infrastructure development is essential for supporting the growing urban population and improving quality of life.

Strategic Railway Connectivity

A major highlight of the state's presentation was the strategic Rupai to Wakro Parashuram Kund railway line project. Mein outlined the multiple benefits this railway project would deliver:

• Significantly improved connectivity for the region
• Strengthened border infrastructure
• Enhanced religious tourism opportunities in Arunachal Pradesh

The Deputy Chief Minister noted that the railway project has already received clearance from the Ministry of Defence, indicating progress in the approval process.

Development Challenges and Support Requirements

Mein drew attention to the state's limited access to externally aided projects, which constrains development opportunities. He emphasized the critical need for continued central support to bridge resource gaps and maintain the current development momentum across various sectors.

The state government's approach focuses on maintaining fiscal prudence while ensuring close coordination with the Centre to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development throughout Arunachal Pradesh.

Government's Commitment

Reiterating the state's development philosophy, Mein assured that Arunachal Pradesh remains committed to responsible fiscal management and collaborative governance. The state continues to prioritize sustainable development initiatives while working closely with central authorities to address infrastructure deficits and development challenges.