Union Budget 2025 | Who delivered shortest speech?

All eyes again be on Sitharaman, as she presents the 2025 Union Budget on February 1.

The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is all set to be presented on February 1, 2025, by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. According to reports, the Narendra Modi government may consider slashing income tax for individuals earning up to Rs 15 lakhs per annum and extend the tax relief bracket in a bid to provide relief to the middle class and boost consumption.

As we near the Budget day, let's take a look at some trivia.

Sitharaman has somewhat of a reputation for her extensive Budget speeches.

The FM, who is presenting a record seventh Budget surpassed the mark she set herself during her maiden Budget speech in 2019, where she spoke for 2 hours and 17 minutes, with her 2020 speech which has now become the longest Budget speech in Indian history -- running for 2 hours and 42 minutes.

Sitharaman had at the time had to cut her speech short due to ill-health.

All eyes again be on Sitharaman, whose speech for the 2024 Union budget presentation was her shortest yet at 86 minutes.

Speaking of short speeches, the shortest Budget presentation in the Indian history was by Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel, who was finance minister in Morarji Desai’s cabinet in 1977. The succinct speech was just 800 words long!

Patel reportedly had kept his speech short since the previous government had done the calculations which left him with very limited time until March 31, 1977, to fulfil constitutional requirements with a Vote on Account.

Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, who continues to be Finance Minister, will present her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', reports suggest there might be a tax relief for those making up to Rs 15 lakh per year. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.