The Economic Times

New year, new challenges & a retest of macro resilience set the backdrop to Budget 2026

Union Budget: After a volatile 2025 marked by geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and capital flow shifts, the economy is looking to the upcoming budget to support growth, maintain fiscal discipline and shield against external shocks. While goods exports slowed and the rupee weakened amid global churn and US tariff pressures, service exports, softer crude prices, easing food inflation and policy support helped the domestic economy stay resilient.