What is Budget?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Presented annually by the Finance Minister
- 2.
Divided into Revenue Budget and Capital Budget
- 3.
Requires approval from the Parliament
- 4.
Includes estimates of revenue receipts and expenditures
- 5.
Contains policy statements and new initiatives
Visual Insights
Evolution of the Indian Budget
Timeline showcasing key milestones in the history of the Indian budget.
The Indian budget has evolved from a colonial-era financial statement to a crucial tool for economic planning and development.
- 1860First budget presented by James Wilson during British Raj.
- 1947First budget of independent India presented by R.K. Shanmukham Chetty.
- 1991Economic liberalization and major tax reforms initiated.
- 2003FRBM Act enacted to promote fiscal discipline.
- 2016Budget presentation date changed to February 1st.
- 2026Budget 2026-27 focuses on infrastructure, digital economy, and tax simplification.
Key Components of the Union Budget
Mind map illustrating the key components and aspects of the Union Budget.
Union Budget
- ●Revenue Budget
Source Topic
Budget 2026-27: Key expectations, challenges, and economic outlook
EconomyUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
121. What is the Budget and what is its constitutional basis?
The Budget is an annual financial statement presenting the government's proposed revenues and expenditures for a fiscal year. As per the concept data, Article 112 (Annual Financial Statement) is related to the budget.
Exam Tip
Remember Article 112 relates to the Annual Financial Statement (Budget).
2. What are the key provisions of the Budget as outlined in the concept?
The key provisions of the Budget, as per the concept, include:
- •Presented annually by the Finance Minister
- •Divided into Revenue Budget and Capital Budget
- •Requires approval from the Parliament
