Nirmala Sitharaman to Equal Morarji Desai's Record with Sixth Straight Budget in 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to match the record set by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai as she presents her sixth consecutive budget on February 1. Having already delivered five full budgets since assuming office in July 2019, Sitharaman holds the distinction of being the first full-time woman finance minister in the country. The upcoming presentation of the interim budget on February 1 will not only solidify her position but also surpass the records of her predecessors, including Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram, and Yashwant Sinha, who each presented five budgets in a row.

Morarji Desai's Budget Legacy: Morarji Desai, during his tenure as finance minister, presented five annual budgets and one interim budget between 1959-1964. His legacy includes a total of 10 budgets, a record unmatched by any other finance minister.

Arun Jaitley's Five-Year Stint: Following the ascent of the PM Modi government in 2014, Arun Jaitley assumed the role of finance minister and consecutively presented five budgets from 2014-15 to 2018-19.

Nirmala Sitharaman's Remarkable Record: Post the 2019 general elections, Nirmala Sitharaman took charge of the finance portfolio, becoming the second woman to present the budget after Indira Gandhi, who presented the budget for the financial year 1970-71.

Interim Budget and Its Significance: The presentation of an interim budget typically occurs when general elections are imminent in the country. Given that the new government is expected to form around June, it will subsequently introduce the final budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, likely in July.

As Nirmala Sitharaman continues to make strides in her role as the finance minister, her record-breaking feat underscores not only her individual achievements but also marks a pivotal moment in the history of financial governance in India. The upcoming budget announcement is eagerly awaited, offering insights into the economic trajectory under her leadership.