Pocket-size politics: Budget 2026 in cartoons

In a historic move, the Union Budget 2026 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 — marking the first time in Indian history the fiscal roadmap was unveiled on a weekend. ‘Pocket-size politics’ takes the marathon 85-minute Budget speech and shrinks it down to size, using witty cartoons to show how high-level policy hits the average person’s wallet.

All cartoons by Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha

Illustration: Soumyadip Sinha