Nirmala Sitharaman Makes History with Eighth Consecutive Union Budget

Budget 2025: A New Chapter in India’s Economic Planning

Nirmala Sitharaman Makes History with Eighth Consecutive Union Budget: On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman etched her name into India’s budgetary history by presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget. This achievement highlights not only her individual legacy but also reflects a period of stable financial stewardship under the Modi-led government. In an era marked by economic fluctuations and global uncertainty, Sitharaman’s consistent leadership marks a rare moment of continuity in fiscal policy.

Standing Alongside the Budget Legends

With this presentation, Sitharaman now ties with former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented ten Union Budgets, although across two different tenures as Finance Minister (1959–64 and 1967–70). However, Sitharaman’s eight back-to-back budgets—all under one Prime Minister—stand out for their unbroken run, a feat unmatched in modern Indian history. If she continues in office for another two terms, she could go on to break Desai’s longstanding record.

From 2019 to 2025: Budgeting Through Transformations

Sitharaman took charge as Finance Minister in 2019, succeeding Arun Jaitley, and her first budget came at a time when India was preparing for a $5 trillion economy. Since then, she has presented budgets tackling a post-pandemic economy, digitisation drives, tax reforms, and middle-class demands, with the latest 2025 budget providing major relief like no income tax up to ₹12 lakh under the new tax regime.

First Budget and Historic Beginnings

The tradition of presenting the Union Budget began on November 26, 1947, when R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, India’s first Finance Minister, laid out the financial roadmap for the newly independent nation. Since then, many stalwarts—from Manmohan Singh to P. Chidambaram—have shaped India’s economic destiny through their budget speeches. But Nirmala Sitharaman’s legacy is now cemented among these names for the sheer consistency and scale of her tenure.

Gender and Leadership: Breaking Barriers

Sitharaman is also the first full-time woman Finance Minister of India, and her record of eight budgets places her at the top among women globally in terms of budget presentations. This achievement serves as an example of women’s growing leadership in major policymaking roles, a point often highlighted in global economic forums.

Static GK Snapshot: Indian Union Budget Facts