Every year, the Union Budget speech becomes one of the most closely watched political and economic moments in India. While the policies and announcements matter most, the length of the finance minister’s speech has also created several fascinating records over the decades. From marathon addresses stretching nearly three hours to speeches shorter than a classroom lecture, India’s Budget history has seen it all.
The longest budget speech ever delivered
The record for the longest Union Budget speech belongs to former Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In 2020, she delivered a marathon address that lasted around 162 minutes, making it the longest budget speech in India’s parliamentary history. Spread over two sessions with a break in between, the speech reflected the complexity of a budget presented just before the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped the economy.
The shortest budget speech on record
At the other end of the spectrum is the shortest Union Budget speech, delivered by Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel in 1977. His address reportedly lasted just about 30 minutes and contained roughly 800 words. The brevity was intentional, as the government at the time aimed to quickly outline priorities without extended explanations.
Why budget speech length has increased over time
Over the years, budget speeches have steadily grown longer. One major reason is the expansion of government responsibilities, from infrastructure and welfare schemes to digital governance and climate commitments. Finance ministers now also explain policy intent in detail to ensure transparency and clarity for citizens, investors and global markets.
Technology and paperless budgets
Another factor influencing speech length is the shift toward paperless budgets. With documents now accessible digitally, finance ministers often use the speech to highlight key proposals rather than read out figures line by line. This has changed the structure of speeches, making them more thematic but not necessarily shorter.
What to expect in future budget speeches
While there is no official limit on how long a Union Budget speech can last, recent trends suggest speeches may remain detailed but more structured. With pre-budget documents, economic surveys and digital access already available, future speeches are likely to focus on vision, priorities and major reforms rather than exhaustive data.Whether long or short, the Union Budget speech remains a defining moment that sets the economic tone for the year ahead and its length continues to reflect the evolving nature of governance in India.