Key Points
- Nirmala Sitharaman to present her 9th consecutive budget on February 1, 2026.
- Morarji Desai holds the record with 10 budgets, presented between 1959-1969.
- R.K. Shanmukham Chetty presented Independent India's first budget on Nov 26, 1947.
The Union Budget is an annual financial plan of India, and it is one of the primary policy tools with the help of which the government establishes the priorities of the national economy, allocates funds, and promotes the harmonious development of the country.
On February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025-26, and it is expected to be more reform-based with an aim of continuing to build momentum in the economy, faced with uncertainty in the geopolitical scene in the world.
As we near the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, 2026, let's reflect on the significant #UnionBudget announcements and the progress made under them by the Government of India over the years. #BudgetForViksitBharat #PBC2026 pic.twitter.com/BLBxbMf0WJ
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 20, 2026
But, do you know which Finance Minister presented the maximum number of budgets?
This article explores who holds the record for presenting the most Budgets, how many times Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Budget, and details about India’s first Budget after Independence.
Which Finance Minister presented the maximum number of budgets?
Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the largest number of Budgets. He introduced 10 Budgets during his time as the Finance Minister under the regimes of Jawaharlal Nehru and later Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Source: mint
On February 28, 1959, he presented his first Budget. During the following few years, he introduced two full Budgets and, before presenting an interim Budget in 1962, two more full Budgets.
In 1967, he presented another interim Budget and then, in 1967, 1968, 1969, with three more full Budgets, his total number of presenting budgets is ten.
Also Read: Economic Survey 2025-2026: Check Key Highlights, Summary and Download Official PDF
How many times Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget?
Current Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the ninth consecutive Budget on 01 February 2026.
Source: reddif
This is a historic milestone that ties her with P. Chidambaram, who also presented a total of nine budgets during his tenure.
While Chidambaram delivered his budgets over three separate stints (under PMs H.D. Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral, and Manmohan Singh).
With this presentation, she surpasses the records for the most presented budgets in India, like Pranab Mukherjee (8 budgets) and stands just one short of the record holder, Morarji Desai (10 budgets).
Morarji presented a total of 6 budgets during his tenure as Finance Minister in 1959-1964, and 4 Budgets between 1967-1969.
However, Morarji Desai presented his budget over various terms and years, but Ms. Sitharaman is the only one to have presented nine straight Budgets under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In 2019, she was appointed the full-time Finance Minister of India, and she was also re-appointed in the 2024 general elections.
Up to now, she has introduced eight consecutive Budgets, in which the interim Budget of February 2024 is also included.
First Budget of Independent India
On 26 November 1947, the first Finance Minister of independent India, R K Shanmukham Chetty, presented the first Union Budget.
Source: picryl
This was a landmark Budget that formed the basis of the Indian economy after Independence.
Who Delivered the Longest Budget Speech?
The longest Indian budget speech was also given by Nirmala Sitharaman. In her Budget speech given on February 1, 2020, she took two hours and forty minutes, and she managed to end the speech with two pages left.
Conclusion
India’s Union Budget history highlights the evolving role of Finance Ministers in shaping the economic policy of India.
Although Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the maximum number of budgets, Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the most consecutive Budgets, which indicates her continuity, stability, and long-term fiscal leadership in Indian Politics.
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