New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presided over the fifth round of pre-Budget consultations on Tuesday, focusing on crucial discussions with prominent figures from the nation's startup sector as part of the ongoing preparations for the Union Budget 2026–27.

This meeting, taking place in the national capital, is a vital component of the Finance Ministry's extensive consultation strategy aimed at collecting insights, expectations, and sector-specific suggestions before finalizing the Budget.

The Ministry of Finance shared a post on the social media platform X, highlighting that the discussions revolved around the challenges and prospects within the startup domain, with participants proposing measures to enhance innovation, financing, and regulatory frameworks.

'Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman leads the fifth Pre-Budget Consultation with stakeholders from the startup ecosystem in relation to the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27 in New Delhi,' stated the ministry.

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with senior officials from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Department of Economic Affairs, and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India were also present, reinforcing the government's multi-departmental strategy for shaping the upcoming Budget.

This consultation follows FM Sitharaman's engagement with capital market representatives in the previous pre-Budget meeting, where topics like investor sentiment, regulatory clarity, and market stability were addressed.

Recently, the Finance Minister also engaged in discussions with leading economists and later met with representatives from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

The Finance Ministry has scheduled an intensive series of meetings with various sectors as part of a week-long pre-Budget initiative that commenced on November 18.

Consultations with the manufacturing sector are expected later today.

On November 19, discussions will focus on the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) industry, along with the information technology (IT) sector.

Meetings with stakeholders from tourism, hospitality, and labor unions are set for November 20, followed by talks with representatives from infrastructure, energy, and urban development on November 21.