Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 described the Budget as a ‘yuva shakti’-driven roadmap inspired by three foundational ‘kartavyas’ guiding the government’s economic and social priorities.
Sitharaman said the Budget proposals were influenced by inputs shared by young leaders during the ‘Viksit Bharat’ Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2026, where innovative ideas were discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Many youngsters shared their ideas directly with the Prime Minister. These ideas have inspired several proposals, making this a unique ‘yuva shakti’-driven Budget,” she told the House.
Highlighting the government’s broader ‘sankalp’, Sitharaman said the focus remains on the poor, underprivileged and disadvantaged sections of society. She noted that the Budget holds special significance as it is the first to be prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, reinforcing a governance approach centred on duty and responsibility.
Three Kartavyas outlined
Elaborating on the three guiding principles, the Finance Minister said the first kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity, boosting competitiveness, and building resilience against volatile global economic conditions.
The second kartavya, she said, is to fulfil the aspirations of citizens by strengthening their capacities and making them active partners in India’s journey towards prosperity.
The third kartavya, aligned with the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, aims to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has equitable access to resources and meaningful opportunities for participation in economic growth.
Focus on supportive ecosystem
Sitharaman stressed that achieving these objectives would require the creation of a supportive ecosystem that nurtures innovation, skills, and enterprise, particularly among the youth. She underlined that policy stability, institutional reforms and targeted investments would play a key role in translating intent into outcomes.
Expressing gratitude to citizens, the Finance Minister thanked the people for standing firmly with the government as India charts its course towards becoming one of the world’s largest economies. “Our aim is to transform aspiration into achievement and potential into performance,” she said.
The Budget 2026, she added, seeks to balance growth, inclusion and resilience while placing India’s youth at the centre of the country’s long-term development strategy.
