Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Budget 2026 reflects the government’s focus on people over popularity. She emphasised a reform-first approach to economic policymaking.

She said India’s economic journey over the past 12 years has been defined by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth, and moderate inflation. She also noted that these outcomes stem from conscious policy choices. In particular, these were made since the government assumed office.

Sitharaman added that the government has consistently prioritised long-term economic strength over short-term optics, stressing that reform has taken precedence over rhetoric. According to her, people-centric policies and structural reforms have remained central to decision-making. This has been true even amid a challenging global environment.