Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged with youth from across India today following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27. Around 30 students from various regions and academic disciplines witnessed the live budget presentation in the Lok Sabha Gallery. The interaction aimed to increase awareness among students about finance, economics, governance, and democratic processes, encouraging informed participation in India's financial and parliamentary systems.
The students, representing diverse fields such as commerce, economics, medical education, and vocational courses, hailed from different states across India. This initiative provided them with a firsthand experience of significant parliamentary proceedings. Following the budget presentation, the students visited the Ministry of Finance at Kartavya Bhawan-1, where they interacted with senior officials to gain insights into the ministry's operations, policy formulation, and the role of institutions in nation-building.
During the interaction with the Finance Minister, key priorities of the Budget 2026, the government's vision for India's future, and the budget's impact on the youth were discussed. The students shared their ideas, perspectives, and aspirations, offering their views on issues concerning young people and the nation.
The Union Budget 2026 focused on youth, jobs, and compliance reform, setting the tone for the next phase of growth. The budget included proposals to establish girls' hostels in every district to improve access and inclusion for female students, and support university townships near industrial logistics centers to link higher education with job markets.
Young citizens have welcomed the budget, calling it empowering and future-focused. They expressed their support for initiatives such as SHE-Marts, AVGC and XR labs and AI digital access, as well as plans for girls' hostels. Youth leaders believe that the budget will improve women's safety, boost skills, create jobs, and strengthen entrepreneurship, providing confidence and new opportunities to India's next generation. Yashaswi Agarwal, President of Sanskar Sudha Youth Foundation, noted that the budget aligns with the dreams of India's youth, particularly praising the focus on AVGC and XR Labs, which will help young people develop skills in gaming, animation, and new technology sectors, creating global job opportunities.
However, opposition leaders have criticized the budget. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that Budget 2026 is "blind to India's real crises," highlighting issues such as unemployment, falling manufacturing, and farmers' distress. He argued that the budget fails to address these critical challenges and lacks a course correction. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the absence of a revival strategy for the manufacturing sector and a concrete plan for increasing employment.
Despite some criticisms, the Finance Minister emphasized the government's commitment to "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" towards a "Viksit Bharat," requiring targeted efforts to empower Divyangjan through access to livelihood opportunities, training and assistive devices, along with initiatives to enhance farmer incomes through productivity and entrepreneurship. The Union Budget 2026 aims to maintain growth momentum through public capital expenditure, productivity reforms, and private investment, focusing on jobs, skilling, entrepreneurship, and innovation.