Union Budget 2026 is just hours away and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman might use Part B of her budget speech to put forward the country’s long term vision for investors.The Part A has traditionally carried core policy measures and economic announcements, while Part B has been limited largely to taxation. This year year’s speech, however, may be a clear shift, according to sources cited by ET. FM Sitharaman is expected to place more weight on Part B, going away from a format that has been followed for decades.
According to sources, the section will cover both near-term economic priorities and long-term structural ambitions, providing a clearer sense of where the economy is headed. It is also expected to set out the government’s economic thinking in the context of changing global and domestic conditions.Part B will not be confined to tax proposals but will include a broader strategic outline aimed at boosting India’s standing. The narrative is expected to highlight domestic strengths, existing economic capacity and future growth prospects, alongside the policy path required to maintain progress. “The idea is to lay out a broader, long-term vision,” a government official told ET.The timing of the shift is linked to current geopolitical uncertainties, including higher tariffs imposed by the US. The government intends to use the budget speech to present a long-term policy message that offers reassurance to foreign investors.The Economic Survey, presented in Parliament earlier this week, had highlighted the need for a multi-pronged strategy to improve the investment environment by tackling both structural and cyclical issues. It also pointed to the importance of emphasising India’s stability, macroeconomic strength, sustained growth and large market size, noting that foreign direct investment inflows have yet to reach their full potential despite the government’s stated intent and track record in economic management.
