New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) Nirmala Sitharaman has made history as the first female finance minister to present the Union Budget for the ninth time in a row, as stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

While addressing the 2026 Budget Session in Parliament, PM Modi remarked that a quarter of the 21st century has already elapsed. “We are now entering the next quarter, and to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, this crucial 25-year period has commenced. The initial Budget for this new phase of the century is set to be unveiled,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Furthermore, PM Modi noted that Sitharaman is uniquely positioned as the first woman to consistently present the Budget in Parliament for nine consecutive terms.

“This moment is a matter of pride in the history of our Parliament,” PM Modi pointed out.

FM Sitharaman is scheduled to present the 15th Budget of the Modi administration on February 1. This will mark the second complete Budget since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third consecutive term in 2024.

For the upcoming Union Budget 2026, the finance minister is supported by a robust team of economists and bureaucrats, including several newcomers.

Anuradha Thakur, the Economic Affairs Secretary, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping the overall Budget framework. She leads the Budget Division, responsible for drafting key documents and establishing the macroeconomic strategy for FY2026-27. Her duties include guiding resource allocation, evaluating fiscal capacity, and ensuring alignment of growth priorities with overall economic stability.

Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran provides essential analytical support for the Union Budget. His office assesses global risks, forecasts economic growth, and evaluates trends across agriculture, industry, and services. Additionally, it advises the Finance Minister on crucial reforms, fiscal policies, and long-term financial strategies.

Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava oversees direct taxes, such as income and corporate taxes, along with indirect levies like GST and customs duties. The 2026-27 Budget will be his inaugural one as Revenue Secretary.

Expenditure Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam is tasked with managing public expenditure, reforming subsidies, and implementing major central schemes, playing a vital role in maintaining fiscal discipline and managing deficits.

M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, supervises public sector banks, insurance firms, and pension institutions. His department focuses on advancing financial inclusion, expanding credit access, and enhancing social security initiatives.

Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, is responsible for achieving non-tax revenue targets through the sale of government stakes in central public sector enterprises.