Union Budget 2024: When, Where, and How to Watch the Key Announcements

As India steps into the new fiscal year, all eyes are on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as she unveils the Interim Union Budget 2024 on February 1, setting the stage for the initial four months of the upcoming fiscal year, commencing in April.

This interim Union Budget 2024, often termed a “vote on account,” seeks Parliament’s approval for an advance grant to meet the Central government’s anticipated expenditures until a new government assumes office. With Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May, this budget becomes pivotal as the last financial outline under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government before the elections.

The Union Budget 2024 announcement is scheduled for 11 am and will be broadcast live on Parliament’s official channel, Sansad TV, and Doordarshan. This marks Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s sixth budget presentation, encompassing five annual budgets and one interim.

It’s important to note that this interim budget is a precursor to the comprehensive budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, which is anticipated to be presented in July. This forthcoming budget will be the final financial plan under the current government before the Lok Sabha elections.

In a move to maintain strict confidentiality, government officials involved in formulating the budget will be released from the ‘lock-in’ period following the official release of the Union Budget 2024 on February 1. This measure ensures the confidentiality of the final document until its official unveiling.

As the nation awaits the fiscal roadmap for the initial months of the new fiscal year, citizens can tune in to Sansad TV and Doordarshan to watch Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s live Union Budget 2024 speech. The budget announcement will provide insights into the government’s financial priorities and strategies during this transitional period.