Budget 2026 Expectations Highlights: Which sectors will Nirmala Sitharaman focus on? What experts expect this year

 All eyes are now on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the countdown to Budget 2026 has begun, which will mark the biggest business event for the country at the beginning of 2026. Sitharaman will present the 88th Union Budget, and her ninth consecutive Union Budget on Sunday, 1 February 2026. Ahead of Budget 2026, experts and stakeholders across industries have put forward their expectations from the government. “Any development in the infrastructure space will help create jobs. Government allocations to develop industrial parks and promote public-private partnerships will be appreciated. If the government is looking for sectors to raise productivity, tourism, agri-processing, horticulture, and floriculture, may be sectors they can consider additional allocation in. For rural employment, additional allocations for MGNREGA may be considered,” says Sajai Singh, Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Read more