Finance minister delivers longest Budget speech, health falters:Rahul seen holding head during health scheme announcements — 8 top moments

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget for the ninth time today, becoming the first woman finance minister to do so. Over the past eight Budgets, there have been moments that still stand out. From her record 162-minute speech to her Madhubani painting saree. From 2019 to now, here are the most memorable Budget Day moments… First, the finance minister’s Budget Day saree. Now, the top moments from the past eight Budgets that made headlines… First Budget, 2019
She replaced the briefcase with a traditional ledger, and recited a verse while outlining the economy’s goals. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman broke the tradition of carrying Budget papers in a briefcase and brought them to Parliament in a red cloth-bound ledger instead. While setting a target of a $5 trillion economy, the finance minister quoted poet Manzoor Hashmi: “With faith, a way emerges; even in the shelter of the wind, a lamp keeps burning.” Second Budget, 2020
Her health faltered during the longest Budget speech, yet she continued speaking. Nirmala Sitharaman delivered Parliament’s longest-ever Budget speech at 162 minutes. As she spoke, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was seen dozing behind her. In the final minutes of her speech, the finance minister’s health faltered, and the House fell silent. Harsimrat Kaur Badal gave her medicine, and Rajnath Singh urged her to stop, but she refused. However, she couldn’t read the last two pages, and the speech had to be shortened. Third Budget, 2021
The first paperless Budget, with Rahul seen holding his head. For the first time, the finance minister presented the Budget on a tablet instead of printed documents. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, she quoted Rabindranath Tagore: “Hope is the thing with feathers that senses the light and sings even in darkness.” When the finance minister announced COVID vaccines and health schemes, Rahul Gandhi was seen holding his head — the photo went viral. Fourth Budget, 2022
She referenced the Mahabharata in her speech, while some MPs broke COVID protocols. Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a 92-minute Budget speech. Before announcing direct taxes, she referenced the 11th verse of the Shanti Parva from the Mahabharata: “A ruler should always strive for the welfare of his people.” Parliament had social distancing rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were ignored during the Budget. MPs sat close together; some wore masks, others didn’t. Only a fibreglass screen was seen in front of the desks. Fifth Budget, 2023
When she mispronounced a word, the finance minister kept saying “sorry, sorry,” prompting laughter from MPs. When the finance minister was talking about the scrap policy, she mistakenly called old polluting vehicles “old political vehicles.” Everyone laughed, and smiling, Nirmala said, “Sorry… sorry, we will remove old polluting vehicles.” During her 87-minute Budget speech, when the finance minister announced changes in the tax slabs, the House applauded for 14 seconds. Sixth Budget, February 2024
The President served curd and sugar, marking the first Budget in the new Parliament building. As per tradition, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to seek permission from President Droupadi Murmu to present the Budget. The President fed her curd and sugar by hand, following the ritual to sweeten the mouth. For the first time, the Budget was presented in the new Parliament. In her 56-minute speech, Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned the Ram Temple in Ayodhya while discussing the PM Suryoday scheme, prompting applause in the House. Seventh Budget, July 2024
When announcements were made for Bihar, opposition MPs raised questions. When the finance minister announced infrastructure plans for Bihar, opposition MPs protested. Congress MP Heeby Eden asked about allocations for Kerala, while DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran questioned Tamil Nadu’s share. When Nirmala announced changes in the tax slabs, MPs reacted with “very good.” During her 85-minute Budget speech, several MPs, including Rao Inderjit Singh and Ramdas Athawale, were seen dozing off. Eighth Budget, 2025
The opposition staged a walkout as soon as the speech began, and the finance minister drank water five times. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a 77-minute Budget speech. During this, she drank water five times—at 11:24, 11:27, 11:44, 11:56, and 12:16. She announced that earnings up to ₹12 lakh would be tax-free under the new tax regime. As soon as the Budget speech began, opposition MPs, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, started protesting. Amid the slogans, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her speech. Speaker Om Birla asked Akhilesh to remain calm. Shortly after, Akhilesh and several other opposition MPs walked out.