If growth is steady, why didn’t this Budget go further?

Feb 2, 2026 | 00:51 IST

(Photo: AP)

Because this Budget begins by treating 7% growth as the new normal

Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth Budget rests on two sweeping bets. First, India has cracked the code for sustained 7%+ real GDP growth. Second, inflation will stay tame, hovering around 2% next year. These are framed not as one-off miracles, but as India’s new steady state. If they hold, India’s Goldilocks moment continues.

TOI

TOI

If growth is steady, why didn’t this Budget go further?

Because this Budget begins by treating 7% growth as the new normal

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

Your Privacy is Important to us

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

TOI

If growth is steady, why didn’t this Budget go further?

Because this Budget begins by treating 7% growth as the new normal

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}