India's Parliament Budget Session kicked off on January 28, 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu delivering her address to a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, outlining the government's priorities for the year ahead . This marks the start of a 65-day session spanning 30 sittings until April 2, featuring a recess from February 13 to March 8, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present her ninth Union Budget on February 1.

Session Timeline and Key Milestones

The first phase, running until February 13, centers on the Budget presentation, Economic Survey tabling on January 29, and debates on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address . Parliament reconvenes on March 9 to tackle pending legislation, including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill, Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill 2026, and a joint parliamentary committee report on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill .A traditional halwa ceremony held on January 27 signaled the final preparations, with officials now in lockdown to maintain Budget secrecy .

President's Address: Focus on Growth and Reform 

sIn her speech, President Murmu highlighted achievements in infrastructure, defence modernization, AI integration, healthcare expansion, agricultural support, and MSME development, emphasizing economic resilience amid global uncertainties. The address underscored the government's vision for inclusive growth, job creation, and technological advancement.

Opposition's Aggressive Stance

Opposition parties, led by Congress, vowed robust challenges following the January 27 all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. They demanded discussions on the VB-G RAM G Act replacing MGNREGA, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists criticized in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, foreign policy, inflation, unemployment, and economic distress.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore stressed "people-centric issues" like vote theft concerns and paddy procurement . Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rebuffed these, insisting "once a law comes before the country, we have to follow it. We cannot reverse the gear".

Budget Expectations Amid Global Challenges

Sitharaman's Budget arrives against headwinds including 50% US tariffs under President Trump, rupee depreciation, and moderated GDP growth projections of 7.4-7.6% for FY26. Anticipated measures encompass income tax relief (standard deduction up to ₹1 lakh, LTCG limit to ₹2 lakh), higher capex, state fund boosts, fiscal easing, MSME support, and export diversification.The Economic Survey on January 29 will offer deeper insights into these dynamics, with focus on domestic demand stimulation and reforms. Analysts expect emphasis on labour-intensive sectors, skilling, clean tech, and urban infrastructure.

Pending Bills and Political Flashpoints

Beyond financial business, the session eyes passage of key reforms like cross-border insolvency provisions and health cess funding. Tensions persist over federal issues and electoral revisions ahead of 2026 state polls .

As of 10:14 AM IST on January 28, proceedings unfold live, with debates poised to intensify post-address . This session promises high-stakes fiscal policy and legislative battles shaping India's economic trajectory.