ThePrint ShekharSeSawal: Budget 2026: Key Takeaways, defence spending & what's in store for states | ShekharSeSawal Ep44
Feb 1, 2026
Highlights from the Union Budget 2026-27, including political signals and privatisation moves. A deep look at defence spending and why higher modernization outlays matter. Discussion on fiscal discipline, debt-to-GDP dynamics and asset sales. Debate on R&D funding, reallocating subsidies, and whether the budget ritual still serves a policy purpose.
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Politically Confident, Fiscally Restrained Budget
- The government appears politically confident and avoided election-style giveaways in Budget 2026.
- That confidence shaped a restrained, non-populist fiscal stance despite global geopolitical anxiety.
Need For Real Defence Capital Spending
- Shekhar Gupta argues defence spending should rise to improve modernization and deterrence.
- He stresses timely capital spending is crucial because past allocations often went unspent or to revenue items.
Prioritise And Spend Defence Capital Fast
- Prioritise capital over recurring revenue costs to modernize the military and boost growth.
- Ensure capital allocations are spent promptly to capture procurement advantages and better prices.