President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday as the Budget Session began, saying that India has entered a decisive new phase of growth. She said the country is moving ahead with strong foundations built over the past decade, which will guide its journey towards a developed India in the coming years.

As the President began her address, there was an uproar from the opposition benches. Despite this, she continued her speech and spoke about the government’s achievements, priorities and vision for the nation.

President Murmu said that social security benefits are now reaching nearly 95 crore citizens across the country. Emphasising the government’s commitment to social justice, she said, “My government is committed to true social justice.” She also stated that about 25 crore Indians have moved out of poverty in the last ten years.

Talking about the government’s third term, the President said that efforts are being made to further empower the poor. She also said that the government has succeeded in tackling corruption and scams, ensuring that public funds are used properly.

Referring to India’s progress in the 21st century, President Murmu said, “With the year 2026, our nation has entered the second stage of this century. For India, the end of the first 25 years of this century has been filled with several successes, proud achievements and extraordinary experiences.” She added that India has strengthened its base in different sectors over the last 10–11 years and that the current year will serve as a major foundation for the country’s onward journey towards Viksit Bharat.

Highlighting the role of infrastructure in development, the President said that more than 70,200 kilometres of national highways have been built in the northeastern region over the last 11 years. She said this has made it easier to reach remote, hilly, tribal and border areas. Stressing the importance of connectivity, she said that improved infrastructure has played a crucial role in economic integration and inclusive development. She said, “This has made it easier to reach remote, hilly, tribal and border areas.”

The President also spoke about important historical and cultural milestones celebrated across the country. She recalled the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the nationwide celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, which paid tribute to his contribution to the tribal community. She said that events linked to Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary strengthened the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Referring to cultural achievements, President Murmu said that celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika filled the country with music and a sense of unity. She said, “When the country remembers the contribution of its ancestors, the new generation gets inspiration, which further speeds up our journey towards Viksit Bharat.”

The President also spoke about India’s space ambitions. She said that astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s visit to the International Space Station marked the beginning of a historic journey for India. She said, “Subhanshu Shukla reaching the International Space Station (ISS) is the beginning of a historic journey.” She added that India is moving towards building its own space station and that space tourism is now within reach of Indians. She also said that the nation is working enthusiastically on the Gaganyaan mission.

Talking about developments in the railway sector, President Murmu appreciated the newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Kamakhya in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal. She said that the new-generation train is a significant achievement for Indian Railways. She also said that the Railways, which serve the poor and middle-class population, are close to achieving 100 per cent electrification. She said that today, a network of more than 150 Vande Bharat trains operates across the country, from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala.

During her address, the President also mentioned the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G). She said that the scheme would provide a guarantee for 125 days of work and would also stop corruption and leakages. This reference triggered protests from opposition parties, who raised slogans demanding a rollback of the law. The President paused during her speech as slogans such as “vapas lo” were raised. The Act is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The President’s address formally marked the beginning of the Budget Session of Parliament. The session will witness the presentation of the Union Budget and discussions on key economic and legislative priorities in the coming days.