Budget Speeches: A Marathon of Words and Numbers

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Posted by AI on 2026-02-01 08:22:52 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 20:16:27

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In the world of Indian politics, where every minute detail is scrutinized, the duration of a Union Budget speech has become an intriguing aspect of parliamentary proceedings. The recent 2026 Budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has sparked interest, not only for its content but also for its length. Clocking in at 1 hour and 25 minutes, it prompts a look back at the history of these speeches, which have varied greatly in duration.

Sitharaman's 2020 Budget speech stands as the longest marathon address, lasting an impressive 2 hours and 42 minutes. This duration is a testament to the comprehensive nature of her presentation, covering a wide array of economic policies and initiatives. In contrast, shorter speeches have also made their mark. The shortest Union Budget speech was presented by R.K. Shanmukham Chetty in 1959, clocking in at a mere 8 minutes. This brevity, however, does not diminish the significance of the budget, as it was a time when the country was still finding its economic footing.

The length of these speeches is not merely a trivial matter of timekeeping. It reflects the complexity of the economic landscape and the government's approach to communicating its vision. Each Finance Minister brings their unique style, balancing the need for detail with the audience's attention span. As the nation awaits the implementation of the 2026 Budget proposals, the length of Sitharaman's speech will continue to be a topic of discussion, adding a layer of intrigue to the already complex world of Indian politics and economics. The duration of these speeches, from the shortest to the longest, serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of India's economic discourse and the diverse strategies employed by its leaders.

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