Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people". Sitharaman - who presented her record eight consecutive budget on Saturday - said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes but it took time to convince the

We have heard the voice of middle class who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers', Sitharaman said

In her eighth budget, Nirmala Sitharaman strikes a delicate balance between stimulating growth and staying true to fiscal consolidation, aiming for a sustainable economic future amid global uncertainty.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is delivering her eighth consecutive Union Budget, a record achievement. She presented the budget using a digital tablet encased in a traditional 'bahi-khata' style pouch.

In her Union Budget 2025-26 speech, Sitharaman unveiled a significant relief for taxpayers, announcing that those earning up to ₹12 lakh annually would no longer be required to pay income tax.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after her Union Budget speech on Saturday and praised her. In a video, PM Modi can be seen walking up to the Finance Minister's seat in Lok Sabha and greeting her.

The spotlight this time would also be on spending on key schemes like NREGA as well as key sectors like health and education.

As Nirmala Sitharaman reciprocated the gestures of her party members, Prime Minister Modi was seen rising from his seat and walking towards her.