New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Presenting herninth consecutive Union Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, Government of India, chose continuity over disruption, positioning Budget 2026 as a framework for steady growth rather than headline-grabbing policy resets.

The budget arrives at a moment when India remains the fastest-growing major economy, even as global trade tensions and capital volatility persist. Against this backdrop, Sitharaman's approach reflects an attempt to anchor confidence among consumers, enterprises, and investors through predictable taxation, sustained public spending, and targeted sectoral support.

For the common taxpayer, tax stability and simplification emerged as key themes rather than sweeping rate changes. The ...