Longest Budget Speech in India: How Long Was the 2026 Budget Speech?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the Union Budget 2026 speech in Parliament on February 1, 2026, marking her ninth consecutive Budget presentation. 

Her address lasted ~85 minutes, making it a relatively concise presentation compared with some of her earlier speeches, yet long enough to cover major fiscal and policy announcements.

Over the years, Budget speeches in India have varied widely in duration depending on economic priorities, policy complexity, and presentation style. While some finance ministers preferred lengthy speeches detailing reforms and sectoral measures, others opted for shorter addresses focused on key announcements. 

Sitharaman’s 2026 speech reflected a more streamlined approach while maintaining depth in policy communication.

Record for Longest Budget Speech

The longest Union Budget speech in India’s parliamentary history was also delivered by Nirmala Sitharaman. During the Union Budget 2020 presentation, her speech ran for 2 hours and 42 minutes, setting a historic record. 

That Budget included significant policy measures, such as the introduction of a new income tax regime and plans related to the Life Insurance Corporation of India’s listing. The speech was eventually concluded by the Lok Sabha Speaker after Sitharaman felt unwell toward the end.

Shortest Budget Speech on Record

In contrast, the shortest Budget speech in Indian history was presented by former Finance Minister Hirubhai M. Patel in 1977. His interim Budget speech contained roughly 800 words, making it the briefest Budget address delivered in Parliament.

Word Count Records

When measured by word count rather than time, the longest Budget speech was delivered by former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh in 1991, consisting of about 18,650 words. Arun Jaitley’s 2018 Budget speech follows closely as the second longest by word count.

Read More: Budget 2026 Key Highlights: Tax Relief, Rural Development, and Major Boosts for MSMEs!

Conclusion

Although the 2026 Budget speech lasted 85 minutes and did not break duration records, it demonstrates how Budget presentations continue to evolve, balancing policy detail with clearer and more focused communication for modern audiences.

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