- PM says Budget lays roadmap for India to become world’s third-largest economy
- Strong push for Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and sunrise sectors
- MSMEs, women-led SHGs and Yuva Shakti at the centre of growth strategy
- Focus on infrastructure, reforms, fiscal discipline and global leadership
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Feb: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Union Budget 2026 as the foundation stone for India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, asserting that it will inject new energy and momentum into the country’s ongoing reform process.
In a video message on the Budget, the Prime Minister said this year’s Budget reflects the empowered spirit of the nation and sets a new benchmark, noting that Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Budget for a ninth consecutive time. He said the Budget is a “highway of immense opportunities” that fulfils present aspirations while strengthening the base for India’s future growth.
Stating that India is not content with merely being the fastest-growing economy, the Prime Minister said the country is determined to become the world’s third-largest economy. “This is the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians,” he said, adding that the Budget strengthens India’s global role as a trusted democratic partner and quality supplier.
The Prime Minister underlined that the Budget presents an ambitious roadmap to accelerate Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with unprecedented support for sunrise sectors such as BioPharma Shakti Mission, Semiconductor Mission 2.0, electronic component manufacturing, critical minerals, rare earths, textiles and high-tech manufacturing. He said the strong support extended to MSMEs will enable them to grow from local to global.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Shri Modi pointed to proposals for dedicated freight corridors, expansion of waterways, high-speed rail corridors, and focused development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities, along with promotion of municipal bonds. He said these steps would significantly strengthen the country’s economic foundations.
Calling it a “Yuva Shakti Budget”, the Prime Minister said provisions made will nurture future leaders, innovators and creators across sectors. He noted that initiatives in healthcare hubs, allied health professions, tourism, gaming, audio-visual sectors and sports would open new employment avenues for youth, while tax concessions aim to position India as a global data centre hub.
Emphasising women-led development, Shri Modi said the Budget prioritises building a modern ecosystem of women-run self-help groups to ensure prosperity reaches every household. He added that the construction of hostels for girl students in every district would improve access to education.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the continued focus on agriculture, dairy and fisheries, noting special measures for farmers engaged in coconut, cashew, cocoa and sandalwood cultivation, along with the launch of Bharat Vistaar AI to provide customised, language-based support to farmers.
Concluding his remarks, Shri Modi said the Union Budget 2026 is ambitious and addresses the aspirations of the nation. He congratulated the Finance Minister and her team for presenting a futuristic and sensitive Budget dedicated to villages, the poor, farmers, women and youth.
