FM Nirmala Sitharaman Chairs Pre-Budget Meet with States, UTs for Budget 2026

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a pre-Budget consultation meeting with States and Union Territories.
• This will be Sitharaman's ninth Union Budget presentation in Parliament, with Budget 2026 approaching.
• The upcoming Budget is anticipated to continue the government's consumption-led growth strategy.
• Previous Budget included income tax incentives and GST rate rationalization to boost household spending.
• Budget 2026 is expected to focus on fiscal discipline, defense, MSMEs, railways, infrastructure, and green transition.

Why It Matters: FM Sitharaman consults states for Budget 2026, focusing on growth, fiscal discipline, and key sectors.