Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on February 1 as markets look for succour amid an uncertain geopolitical climate and a deal on US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on India still to materialise. India remains the fastest-growing major economy and expectations will be high for the finance minister to lay out a roadmap to keep the country on that path while looking for ways to accelerate.

With Artificial Intelligence seen as the next big thing globally, all eyes will be on the approach the Centre adopts and the steps it outlines to boost the sector’s development in the country. Possible disruptions to job markets could also be addressed.

When she begins her speech on Sunday, Sitharaman will be presenting the Union Budget for the ninth time in a row, becoming the first Indian finance minister to do so. She will also move a step closer to Morarji Desai’s record of presenting 10 budgets in all.