Union Budget 2025: 6 Finance Ministers Who Presented the Most Union Budgets

As the Union Budget 2025-26 is set to be presented on February 1, 2025, it's a fitting time to reflect on the finance ministers who have delivered the most number of budgets in India's history. Here's a look at some of the most notable names:

Morarji Desai (1959-1963, 1967-1969)

Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the highest number of budgets in India. Over his tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, Desai presented 10 budgets. His first budget was introduced on February 28, 1959, setting the stage for a long-standing legacy in Indian financial policy.

P. Chidambaram (1996-1998, 2004-2008, 2013-2014)

Ranked second, P. Chidambaram presented a total of 9 budgets during his tenure. He first delivered the budget on March 19, 1996, during the United Front government under Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Chidambaram continued his role in the Congress-led UPA government, presenting his last budget in 2014.

Pranab Mukherjee (1982-1984, 2009-2012)

The late Pranab Mukherjee presented 8 budgets during his career. His contributions to India's financial policies spanned decades, from his early years in the 1980s to his tenure in the Congress-led UPA government.

Yashwant Sinha (1998-2002)

Yashwant Sinha, a key figure in the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, presented 7 budgets. His tenure is remembered for introducing reforms aimed at liberalizing India's economy.

C.D. Deshmukh (1951-1956)

The first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), C.D. Deshmukh, also presented 7 budgets. He played a crucial role in shaping India's post-independence economic policies, with a focus on national development and financial stability.

Nirmala Sitharaman (2019-2024)

Current Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already presented 7 consecutive budgets as of 2024. With the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26, she will reach a significant milestone, delivering her 8th consecutive budget.