Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday laid out a clear six-point strategy aimed at accelerating and sustaining India’s economic growth amid global uncertainty and domestic aspirations.

She said the proposed interventions focus on strengthening manufacturing, revitalising traditional industries, empowering MSMEs, boosting infrastructure, ensuring long-term stability and developing city-based economic engines.

Scaling up manufacturing in strategic sectors

Sitharaman said the government will scale up manufacturing across seven strategic sectors, signalling a continued push towards self-reliance and global competitiveness. These sectors are expected to play a critical role in job creation, exports and technological advancement.

Rejuvenating legacy industries

The Finance Minister emphasised the need to rejuvenate legacy industrial sectors that have historically supported employment and regional economies. Modernisation, technology adoption and policy support will be key to making these sectors future-ready.

Creating champion MSMEs

Highlighting the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises, Sitharaman said Budget 2026–27 aims to create “champion MSMEs” capable of scaling up, integrating into global value chains and driving grassroots employment. MSMEs remain a vital pillar of India’s economic and social fabric.

Infrastructure push and long-term stability

A renewed push for infrastructure development forms another pillar of the strategy. The Finance Minister said sustained public investment will support growth, improve logistics and crowd in private investment. She also stressed the importance of ensuring long-term economic security and stability through prudent fiscal and policy measures.

Developing city economic regions

The sixth focus area is the development of city economic regions, aimed at transforming urban centres into growth hubs. These regions are expected to boost productivity, attract investment and create new opportunities for surrounding districts.

Economists say the six-area framework reflects policy continuity, with a balanced emphasis on growth, resilience and inclusion. As Budget 2026–27 unfolds, the effectiveness of these interventions will be closely watched for their impact on jobs, investment and regional development.