India’s Parliament formally commenced its Budget Session 2026 on Wednesday. The session opened with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the Central Hall of Parliament.
The Budget Session begins on Wednesday, with the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on February 1. The session opened with the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses. At an all-party meeting held on Tuesday ahead of the session, opposition parties sought a discussion during the Budget Session on the ‘Viksit Bharat–G Ram Ji Act’ and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The government declined these demands.
At the meeting, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas, among other opposition leaders, objected to the government not sharing its legislative agenda in advance of the session. Responding to the objection, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the agenda would be presented at the appropriate time.
Differences between the government and the opposition were evident at the all-party meeting convened on Tuesday ahead of the Budget Session. Opposition parties reiterated their demand for discussion on what they described as sensitive issues, including the ‘Viksit Bharat–G Ram Ji Act’ and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Union government declined to accept these demands.
Rijiju stated that once a law is enacted, there is no question of withdrawing it or going into “reverse gear.” He added that most of the issues raised by the opposition could be debated during the discussion on the President’s address and the Union Budget.
Opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas, expressed dissatisfaction over the government not making public its legislative business before the start of the session. Rijiju said this was the first session of the year and that, as per tradition, the list of government business is shared after the President’s address. He assured that the agenda would be released at the appropriate time and that the proceedings of the House would be conducted smoothly.
After the meeting, the Congress party said it would bly raise several national and international issues during the Budget Session, including India’s foreign policy, US tariffs, the depreciation of the Indian rupee, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and issues concerning farmers. Congress leaders alleged that the government often introduces Bills at the last moment without prior notice, limiting the opportunity for adequate discussion by the opposition.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas questioned the government’s functioning, alleging that it follows a strategy of “suspense and surprise.” He claimed that opposition MPs were handed blank documents at the all-party meeting, raising doubts about the government’s transparency and intent. According to sources, several regional parties also raised key state-specific issues during the meeting.
The Biju Janata Dal raised concerns over problems faced by farmers in Odisha and delays in crop insurance payments, seeking immediate resolution. The Trinamool Congress referred to raids conducted on political strategy firm I-PAC and alleged misuse of central agencies.
