Union Budget Through the Years – From First Budget to Present 

Every year, the Government of India presents the Union Budget. This budget is like a big plan book for our country. This budget is made by the government to let people understand how the money will be spent and where the money will come from. This budget plan is used to plan the future of the country in a smarter way.  In the past few years, the Union Budget has changed a lot. Let’s know how the Union Budget of India has changed over the years. 

The First Union Budget

The first union budget in India was presented on April 7, 1860. It was the time when India was still under British rule. At that time, the Union Budget was presented by James Wilson. The British made a budget to manage money for their government. It also shows that the idea of the Union Budget has been in India for the past 160 years.

First Budget After Independence

Everyone knows that India became Independent in 1947 and it became free from the rule of Britishers. After that, the country made its first Union Budget as an independent nation. This budget was presented by R. K. Shanmukham Chetty on February 28, 1948. At that time, he was the Finance Minister of India. This budget helped the nation to maintain the economy after British rule. And, it was made to increase the government income so that the country can be developed and grow. 

India’s Growth & Change of Union Budget 

The Main Focus of the Budget 

In the past, the main focus of the Union budget was to build industries and factories. At that time, the budget gave support to the farmers, rural and basic needs, like food and irrigation. It was the time when the focus of India was to make the country strong from the ground level.

Now, the budget focuses on the daily lives of the citizens. It is used for creating jobs, supporting small businesses, helping women and students, and using technology for growth. Now, the budget mainly focuses on the development of the county, not just for its growth. 

Traditional vs Modern Priorities 

In the past, after the Independence, the focus of the government was to make a budget that helps the agriculture, and supports the basic education and health services. This was important because the county was still under development, and these were the needs of people at that time. 

Now, the modern budgets are made to give importance on higher level. The country is still developing, but it has basic needs. Now, the budget is more about digital growth, startups, skill development, better healthcare, and modern education.

Change of Public Access 

After the independence, the budget was made by the Finance ministers, and it was not easily available to common people. The people in the past did not have much information about it, and it was only available through the newspapers or the radio. The Union Budget was also not easy to understand at that time. 

But now, with the help of New media, the budget is shared online and explained in simple ways. People can read it, watch live speeches, and understand how the money will be used. Now, it has become easier for people to understand how the money will be spent and where the money will come from.

Union Budget 2026

The finance minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, has presented the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, February 1. This was her ninth consecutive Union Budget, which has shown how she has been handling the budget correctly over the past few years. The new Union Budget 2026 continues to focus on the development of the country. 

The Union Budget of 2026 gives importance to job creation, support for small and medium businesses, and growth of the digital economy. Special attention has been given to sectors like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology. This year, more money has been reserved for better roads, railways, and public services so that the daily life of citizens can be improved.