UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to ease the cost-of-living burden by introducing measures aimed at reducing everyday expenses for households.

Rachel Reeves Promises Lower Cost of Livingve Rainfall

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the union budget 2025-26 on Saturday. Like other budgets, this budget also garnered major attention on social media. The one major announcement on everybody's mind was the increase in the nil tax slab from ₹7 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs.&nbsp;
New Tax regime
₹0-4 lakh -- Nil ₹4-8 lakh -- 5% ₹8-12 lakh -- 10% ₹16-20 lakh -- 20% ₹20-24 lakh -- 25% Above ₹24 lakh -- 30%
To calculate the tax rebate on incomes of ₹13 lakhs, ₹15 lakhs, and ₹20 lakhs, here are the numbers:
Income = ₹13,00,000
₹0&ndash;4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4&ndash;8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8&ndash;12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12&ndash;13 lakh (₹1 lakh): 20% of ₹1,00,000 = ₹20,000
Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹20,000 = ₹80,000
 Income = ₹15,00,000
₹0&ndash;4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4&ndash;8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8&ndash;12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12&ndash;15 lakh (₹3 lakh): 20% of ₹3,00,000 = ₹60,000
Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹60,000 = ₹1,20,000
 Income = ₹20,00,000
₹0&ndash;4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4&ndash;8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8&ndash;12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12&ndash;16 lakh (₹4 lakh): 20% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹80,000 ₹16&ndash;20 lakh (₹4 lakh): 25% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹1,00,000
Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹80,000 + ₹1,00,000 = ₹2,40,000
The new tax bill will be tabled next week. While everybody knows about the latest changes, other major announcements have also been made regarding direct income tax.
<h2>TDS &amp; TCS simplifications</h2>
To simplify tax compliance, the government has announced major reforms. This includes increasing the TDS threshold on rent from ₹2.40 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs per year and raising the TCS exemption limit on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) transactions from ₹7 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs. TCS has also been removed from education-related remittances in education loans. Special focus is on senior citizens. The tax deduction limit on interest income has been doubled to reduce the tax burden among retirees. Tax exemption has also been provided on old National Savings Scheme (NSS) accounts.
<h2>Deduction for NPS Vatsalya Scheme</h2>
Budget 2025 extends tax benefits to the newly launched NPS Vatsalya Scheme. This new scheme allows parents and guardians to open and manage an NPS account for minors for minors until they reach the age of 18 years. The contributions would be eligible for deduction under Sector 80CCD(1B) up to a maximum of ₹50,000. The scheme also allows for partial withdrawals under special circumstances, with no tax deduction for withdrawals less than 25 per cent of the contribution amount.
<h2>Rationalisation of taxation of ULIPs</h2>
Unit-linked insurance plans serve a dual purpose: they are life insurance policies and investment opportunities. Earlier, ULIPs were taxed as income from other sources, with 30 per cent rates. Under the new provisions, ULIPs with annual premiums above ₹2.5 lakhs will be taxed as capital gains instead of income. Long-term capital gains beyond 1 year will be taxed at 12.5 per cent.
<h2>Other notable provisions</h2>
The time limit to file an updated return has been extended from 2 years to 4 years. Rules have also been simplified for self-occupied properties. The annual value of a self-occupied property will be considered as nil.&nbsp;

Business & Economy, The one major announcement on everybody's mind was the increase in the nil tax slab from ₹7 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs. The new tax bill will be tabled next week.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the union budget 2025-26 on Saturday. Like other budgets, this budget also garnered major attention on social media. The one major announcement on everybody's mind was the increase in the nil tax slab from ₹7 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs. New Tax regime ₹0-4 lakh -- Nil ₹4-8 lakh -- 5% ₹8-12 lakh -- 10% ₹16-20 lakh -- 20% ₹20-24 lakh -- 25% Above ₹24 lakh -- 30% To calculate the tax rebate on incomes of ₹13 lakhs, ₹15 lakhs, and ₹20 lakhs, here are the numbers: Income = ₹13,00,000 ₹0–4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4–8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8–12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12–13 lakh (₹1 lakh): 20% of ₹1,00,000 = ₹20,000 Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹20,000 = ₹80,000 Income = ₹15,00,000 ₹0–4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4–8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8–12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12–15 lakh (₹3 lakh): 20% of ₹3,00,000 = ₹60,000 Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹60,000 = ₹1,20,000 Income = ₹20,00,000 ₹0–4 lakh: 0% = ₹0 ₹4–8 lakh (₹4 lakh): 5% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹20,000 ₹8–12 lakh (₹4 lakh): 10% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹40,000 ₹12–16 lakh (₹4 lakh): 20% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹80,000 ₹16–20 lakh (₹4 lakh): 25% of ₹4,00,000 = ₹1,00,000 Total Tax = ₹0 + ₹20,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹80,000 + ₹1,00,000 = ₹2,40,000 The new tax bill will be tabled next week. While everybody knows about the latest changes, other major announcements have also been made regarding direct income tax. TDS & TCS simplifications To simplify tax compliance, the government has announced major reforms. This includes increasing the TDS threshold on rent from ₹2.40 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs per year and raising the TCS exemption limit on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) transactions from ₹7 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs. TCS has also been removed from education-related remittances in education loans. Special focus is on senior citizens. The tax deduction limit on interest income has been doubled to reduce the tax burden among retirees. Tax exemption has also been provided on old National Savings Scheme (NSS) accounts. Deduction for NPS Vatsalya Scheme Budget 2025 extends tax benefits to the newly launched NPS Vatsalya Scheme. This new scheme allows parents and guardians to open and manage an NPS account for minors for minors until they reach the age of 18 years. The contributions would be eligible for deduction under Sector 80CCD(1B) up to a maximum of ₹50,000. The scheme also allows for partial withdrawals under special circumstances, with no tax deduction for withdrawals less than 25 per cent of the contribution amount. Rationalisation of taxation of ULIPs Unit-linked insurance plans serve a dual purpose: they are life insurance policies and investment opportunities. Earlier, ULIPs were taxed as income from other sources, with 30 per cent rates. Under the new provisions, ULIPs with annual premiums above ₹2.5 lakhs will be taxed as capital gains instead of income. Long-term capital gains beyond 1 year will be taxed at 12.5 per cent. Other notable provisions The time limit to file an updated return has been extended from 2 years to 4 years. Rules have also been simplified for self-occupied properties. The annual value of a self-occupied property will be considered as nil.

India Budget 2025: Tax relief, TCS, TDS & more

Budget 2025-26, recently tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, spotlights substantial budgetary increases in higher education outlays. With enhanced expenditures under heads such as student financial aid, Digital India e-learning, Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a variety of premier central institutions such as the Indian Institutions of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISERs), the budget has prioritised inclusion, autonomy and growth for high-performing institutional models.
With the 2020 National Education Policy&rsquo;s ambitious goal of a 50% gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education (defined as the number of students enrolled in higher education out of the total population of 18- 23 years) by 2035, how does the budget help visualise the realisation of the policy objective? According to news reports, a nearly 5% increase in GER was reported from 2014-15 to 2020-21, according to the 2024-25 Economic Survey.&nbsp;
Yet, a key ingredient for meeting these goals lies in a robust cadre of higher education teachers who can demonstrate the interdisciplinarity and cross-disciplinary agility promoted by the National Education Policy 2020. This is the context in which India&rsquo;s ongoing and severe teaching faculty shortages demand fresh thinking and urgent action. A Council of Sustainable Development study estimated that meeting the 2035 GER target requires 3.3 million higher education faculty (with a student: teacher ratio of 15:1), a nearly 2.5-fold increase over the existing cadre of teaching faculty. Where will these new teachers come from?
Over the years, budgetary allocations have indicated efforts to bolster a number of programmes to fill the nearly 38% demand-supply gap in high-quality teaching faculty. &nbsp;These include the National Research Professors scheme, the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching, now Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP), the PM Research Fellowship and the Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN), among many others. While budget outlays for 2025-26 suggest a renewed emphasis on high-profile centrally-funded institutions of excellence to lead the way, the fact remains that India&rsquo;s top centrally funded institutions are subject to the same shortages of teaching faculty. These shortfalls are the tune of a third or more of all open positions at the 45 central universities, according to MHRD 2022 data and similar proportions at the IITs and IIMs.&nbsp;
<h2>Interestingly, the gaps are far larger, not at entry level but at Associate Professor and Professorial positions (60% of vacancies) in central universities, according to MHRD 2022 data.&nbsp;</h2>
The solution? India needs more significant investment in data-driven initiatives that leverage existing databases, such as the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), with newer sources of data from private universities to better match candidates with positions. The proposed National Education Service suggests one such framework. However, open-source job banks would benefit from integration with the Higher Education Statistics &amp; Public Information System (HESPIS) Scheme to help both hiring institutions and qualified candidates find each other. In the long term, with a decentralised, private-led education system, India needs a strengthened knowledge infrastructure in higher education, much like the United States. The US Department of Higher Education maintains, for example, the ERIC - Education Resources Information Center as a clearinghouse for best practices and the National Center for Education Statistics, which provides the data private and public universities need. &nbsp;Together, the knowledge infrastructure supports a vibrant field of institutional research that supports improved decision-making in higher education.
The institutional innovations of NEP 2020 lie at the heart of the 2025-26 budget provisions. Channelling these monies to meet the looming challenges in India&rsquo;s diverse and complex higher education system remains key.&nbsp;

Business & Economy, data suggests that severe supply bottlenecks in the number and quality of teachers at postsecondary institutions hinder the nation’s goals

Budget 2025-26, recently tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, spotlights substantial budgetary increases in higher education outlays. With enhanced expenditures under heads such as student financial aid, Digital India e-learning, Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a variety of premier central institutions such as the Indian Institutions of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISERs), the budget has prioritised inclusion, autonomy and growth for high-performing institutional models. With the 2020 National Education Policy’s ambitious goal of a 50% gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education (defined as the number of students enrolled in higher education out of the total population of 18- 23 years) by 2035, how does the budget help visualise the realisation of the policy objective? According to news reports, a nearly 5% increase in GER was reported from 2014-15 to 2020-21, according to the 2024-25 Economic Survey. Yet, a key ingredient for meeting these goals lies in a robust cadre of higher education teachers who can demonstrate the interdisciplinarity and cross-disciplinary agility promoted by the National Education Policy 2020. This is the context in which India’s ongoing and severe teaching faculty shortages demand fresh thinking and urgent action. A Council of Sustainable Development study estimated that meeting the 2035 GER target requires 3.3 million higher education faculty (with a student: teacher ratio of 15:1), a nearly 2.5-fold increase over the existing cadre of teaching faculty. Where will these new teachers come from? Over the years, budgetary allocations have indicated efforts to bolster a number of programmes to fill the nearly 38% demand-supply gap in high-quality teaching faculty. These include the National Research Professors scheme, the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching, now Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP), the PM Research Fellowship and the Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN), among many others. While budget outlays for 2025-26 suggest a renewed emphasis on high-profile centrally-funded institutions of excellence to lead the way, the fact remains that India’s top centrally funded institutions are subject to the same shortages of teaching faculty. These shortfalls are the tune of a third or more of all open positions at the 45 central universities, according to MHRD 2022 data and similar proportions at the IITs and IIMs. Interestingly, the gaps are far larger, not at entry level but at Associate Professor and Professorial positions (60% of vacancies) in central universities, according to MHRD 2022 data. The solution? India needs more significant investment in data-driven initiatives that leverage existing databases, such as the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), with newer sources of data from private universities to better match candidates with positions. The proposed National Education Service suggests one such framework. However, open-source job banks would benefit from integration with the Higher Education Statistics & Public Information System (HESPIS) Scheme to help both hiring institutions and qualified candidates find each other. In the long term, with a decentralised, private-led education system, India needs a strengthened knowledge infrastructure in higher education, much like the United States. The US Department of Higher Education maintains, for example, the ERIC - Education Resources Information Center as a clearinghouse for best practices and the National Center for Education Statistics, which provides the data private and public universities need. Together, the knowledge infrastructure supports a vibrant field of institutional research that supports improved decision-making in higher education. The institutional innovations of NEP 2020 lie at the heart of the 2025-26 budget provisions. Channelling these monies to meet the looming challenges in India’s diverse and complex higher education system remains key.

Higher Education directions: Budgetary implications for 2025

India’s Union Budget 2025 does not include provisions for climate financing, sparking concerns over the country’s commitment to addressing climate change and environmental sustainability in the face of growing challenges.

Budget 2025: Climate financing not added in Union Budget

Business & Economy, this year’s budget aims to create a conducive environment for India to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles, driving both innovation & job creation

India’s tax-payer friendly budget has signalled a boost to its ongoing efforts towards cleaner energy and transport systems. The Budget 2025 has introduced several measures to support domestic clean technology manufacturing, expand credit access, and enhance climate resilience in agriculture. A notable provision is the expansion of the credit guarantee scheme, which is expected to unlock ₹1.5 lakh crore in additional credit over the next five years for MSMEs, startups, and exporters. This support is aimed at strengthening industries including clean technology and renewable energy. The budget also prioritises boosting domestic manufacturing in key clean energy areas. It focuses on increasing capacity in sectors such as solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors and controllers, electrolysers, wind turbines, high-voltage transmission equipment, and grid-scale energy storage. To further support local production, basic customs duties have been removed on cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery scrap, lead, zinc, and 12 additional critical minerals—a follow-up to the July 2024 policy that exempted 25 key minerals from import duties. This measure is expected to lower input costs, secure raw material supply chains, and promote job creation in renewable energy and electric mobility sectors. It also has the potential to spur investments in domestic manufacturing and promote sustainable mobility in India. The EV industry, which was looking forward to a favourable tax structure that caters to different automotive technologies, did not find a mention in the Union Budget. In the agricultural sector, the budget has announced the National Mission on High Yielding Seeds. This mission will focus on enhancing research, developing pest-resistant and climate-resilient crops, and ensuring the commercial availability of over 100 improved seed varieties released since July 2024. Alongside this, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit has been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, providing greater financial flexibility for around 7.7 crore rural entrepreneurs to invest in agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. This has the potential to boost credit availability for climate-friendly agricultural practices. Finally, the budget announcement about renewed support for nuclear energy with the introduction of a ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission aimed at developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), signals India’s focus on cutting emissions in energy production. The initiative targets the operationalisation of at least five indigenously developed SMRs by 2033, positioning nuclear energy as a secure, low-carbon option to support long-term energy security and sustainability. Overall, this year’s budget aims to create a conducive environment for India to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles, driving both innovation and job creation in the process. On adaptation The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana that targets 100 districts with low productivity by boosting agricultural output, promoting crop diversification, and enhancing post-harvest storage and irrigation, can add immensely to India’s climate adaptation efforts. Modernising agriculture and diversifying rural income sources alongside improved credit access for farmers, can reduce the risks of climate variability while increasing productivity. The six-year Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses reinforces this approach by seeking to leverage past successes in food security and sustainable practices. The reforms can be complemented by the Rural Prosperity and Resilience programme that seeks to to generate diverse employment opportunities in rural India, according to the minister. Focus on under-employed groups—including rural women, young farmers, and landless families—and incorporating global best practices and multilateral support, can help improve long-standing economic vulnerabilities, making more resources available to climate-hit communities. Also, the Urban Challenge Fund announced in the budget that seeks to allocate up to 1 lakh crore rupees to modernise urban infrastructure and boost climate adaptation in Indian cities seeks to support projects under initiatives such as ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative Redevelopment of Cities’, and improved ‘Water and Sanitation.’ The fund can help enhance the capacity of urban areas to adapt to extreme weather, mitigate urban heat islands, and manage water resources more effectively. With a financing model covering up to 25% of project costs—requiring at least 50% funding from bonds, bank loans, and PPPs—and an initial allocation of ₹10,000 crore for 2025-26, the initiative is designed to drive resilient urban growth while integrating adaptation measures into the redevelopment process. Budget Estimate Comparison 2024-25 and 2025-26 2025-26 2024-25 Budget Estimates (In Rs crores) Budget Estimates (In Rs crores) Revised Estimates (In Rs crores) Min of Heavy Industries 7680.23 7242 4560.63 Min of New & Renewable Energy 26549.38 19100 17298.44 Min of Environment, Forests and Climate Change 3412.82 3330.37 3125.96 Min of Power 21847 20502 19845 Min of Coal 501.20 192.55 141.21 Min of Housing and Urban Affairs 96777 82576.57 63699.93 Min of Petroleum and Natural Gas 19326.90 15930.26 17367.70 Expert Quotes: On Clean Transition Shruti Sharma, Lead Energy Program, International Institute for Sustainable Development “India’s Union Budget takes a critical step forward by incentivizing electricity distribution reforms and enhancing intra‐state transmission capacity, which will undoubtedly improve the financial health of our DISCOMs—the linchpin of the renewable energy transition. However, while measures like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme have already helped trim subsidies by about 3%, we must urgently address the elephant in the room: consumption subsidies, which now represent over 93% of total energy subsidies. If left unchecked, these subsidies will only escalate as electrification spreads across all sectors, potentially undermining the very reforms designed to make our energy system more efficient and resilient. Unchecked, consumption subsidies are like a tinderbox waiting to ignite, threatening to undo hard-won reform gains as electrification accelerates. Missing from the budget was any mention of PM-KUSUM—a beacon for transforming agriculture that now goes largely unnoticed. With farmers collectively pocketing nearly 75% of all electricity subsidies, solar irrigation isn't just a green initiative; it's the lƒer that could shift demand to daylight hours and power our renewable future. Earlier last year, the scheme received an extension till 2026 - that is a positive step, but without a clear political push in the budget, the signal to states and private developers remains dim, leaving a golden opportunity unlit." “This year's budget has re-ignited the call for clean-tech manufacturing—setting the stage for a transformative revolution in our domestic production of solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors, electrolyzers, wind turbines, and more. Hopefully, this isn't just policy talk; and is a rallying cry that echoes through the corridors of industry, energizing private investment as seen in the early successes of the PLI schemes for high-efficiency solar modules, advanced batteries, and green hydrogen. The budget's focus on these initiatives, through the Make in India mission, lights the path for India to emerge as a powerhouse in clean energy technologies.” Rishbah Jain, Senior Programme Lead, Council for Energy Environment & Water “The union budget has rightfully focussed on doubling down on making domestic manufacturing and exports competitive, which would create new jobs, economic growth, and a stable energy transition. Currently, for many clean energy equipment manufacturers, it is increasingly becoming difficult to compete with Chinese giants on artificial selling costs and overcapacities. CEEW analysis suggests that with backward and forward integration, India has potential competitiveness in many clean energy components such as battery anodes, solar wafers, silver paste, wind turbine gearbox, etc. However, lack of minerals and technological capabilities to process them, import reliance for manufacturing equipment, limited skilled workforce and trade barriers are often limiting factors. The new initiatives such as the National Manufacturing Mission, Export Promotion Mission, Bharat Trade Net and the National Centres of Excellence for Skilling are welcome initiatives, but these need to be followed up through inter-ministerial actions and close collaborations between the state and central governments. Further, with rapidly changing technology, the industries need to also invest in R&D and can potentially tap the talent from the PM Researcher Fellowship.” Labanya Jena, Sustainable Finance Specialist “India’s push for nuclear energy is bold, but with high capex and tail risks, the key challenge remains—who will fund it, and who will bear the risks? India’s ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds can be a game-changer, but earmarking a portion for climate solutions for clean technologies in India will support the country’s climate action solutions. India can also be a climate tech hub. The National Manufacturing Mission’s focus on clean tech is a step in the right direction. However, the real question is: Can India’s green industry compete with China, where there are massive subsidies for green industries? “Enhancing credit access for MSMEs is crucial but directing it towards energy efficiency and rooftop solar will reduce costs and align India’s small businesses with its climate ambitions. “The Urban Challenge Fund must prioritise pollution control and climate adaptation—without it, our cities risk becoming economic hubs struggling with environmental distress.” Aarti Khosla, Director, Climate Trends "The Union Budget presents an ambitious framework to boost its transition economy. With the announcement of the National Manufacturing Mission at its core, the document provides a vision to plug India’s supply chain vulnerabilities by further boosting the ‘Make In India’ vision in the current geopolitical context. Solar energy gets the highest allocation of Rs 24224 crore, with a clear focus on rooftop solar with the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. The announcement for a Nuclear Mission with the aim for 100 GW of non-fossil based energy by 2047 is a clear indication that the government is looking at options to decrease its baseload reliance on coal. However, the issues of safety associated with nuclear energy still loom large. Just 10 days before the deadline for submission of revised NDCs to the UNFCCC, India has shown its intent for climate action very clearly." Karthik Ganesan, Fellow & Director - Strategic Partnerships, Council for Energy Environment & Water "This budget provides a shot in the arm for a sector that has not received consistent funding , despite being one of the older nuclear programmes in the world. The R&D efforts needed for an indigenous modular reactor are significant and the 2033 timeline for 5 reactors would put it as one of the fastest to market. International collaboration to accelerate the development and learn from what other countries have done would also be a welcome step. " On Sustainable Transport Mahua Acharya, Founder CEO, INTENT and former MD & CEO, Convergence Energy Services Limited, Govt of India “The specific focus on Budget 2025 on clean tech manufacturing is obviously a welcome step. We must do all we can to produce in India - and to that extent, the recognition of the need for batteries and raw materials is a really welcome step! The manufacturing mission is an excellent move - and the recognition of the need for grid scale batteries, EV batteries, PV cells is spot on as India looks to transition rapidly into greener growth.” Randheer Singh, CEO, ForeSee Advisor & Former director E-Mobility, NITI Aayog “The Union Budget 2025 signals a strong commitment to India’s clean mobility and energy transition. The focus on expanding the EV ecosystem, strengthening domestic battery manufacturing, and supporting startups and alternative investment funds (AIFs) is a welcome step toward sustainability and self-reliance. The emphasis on lithium-ion and alternative battery chemistries, along with measures to enhance green financing, will be instrumental in accelerating EV adoption and energy storage solutions. However, while the budget lays a solid foundation, certain areas warrant further attention. A more comprehensive roadmap for commercial megawatt level charging infrastructure, incentives for fleet electrification, and clarity on execution frameworks will be critical to ensuring effective implementation. Additionally, broader environmental sustainability measures, such as targeted pollution reduction strategies in urban areas and deeper interventions for river rejuvenation, remain areas where more focused initiatives could have further strengthened the vision for a cleaner and greener India. Similarly, as the economy continues its growth trajectory, proactive measures to address food price inflation and ensure supply chain resilience will be key to maintaining economic stability. While this budget provides a strong directional push, the industry now looks forward to further policy refinements and execution strategies that will drive long-term impact.” Prashant Rathee, Founder, The Energy Company “While the U.S. is rolling back its EV mandates, India is taking a forward-looking approach by strengthening its battery ecosystem. The exemption of basic customs duty on capital goods for cell manufacturing paves the way for domestic sourcing, reducing dependence on imports. For Battery and Vehicle OEMs, this will lower working capital needs, improve supply chain stability, and enable closer R&D collaboration for optimized battery packs in future. A stronger local battery ecosystem ensures India stays ahead in clean energy innovation, making energy storage more affordable, scalable, and competitive.” On Adaptation Prof Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean, Kotak School of Sustainability, IIT Kanpur “The Union Budget 2025-26 has the theme of clean transition and sustainability embedded in it The focus on clean-tech manufacturing, investments in PM Surya Ghar yojana, exempting the Basic Custom Duty on critical minerals and impetus on sustainable transport are signals that India is investing in a climate-friendly economy. However, focussed initiatives to target air pollution, river rejuvenation for water security and adaptation measures beyond agriculture would have further strengthened India’s vision for a cleaner greener future.” Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector-Head Climate Change and Sustainability, IPE-Global “The Union Budget 2025 marks a significant step in India's journey towards energy transition and net-zero goals. With a strong focus on the Atmanirbhar Mission, the budget underscores our nation’s commitment to clean energy, economic resilience, and sustainability. The much-anticipated push for nuclear power and cleaner energy alternatives sends a clear message—India is strengthening its position as a global thought leader in low-carbon development. Through a walk-the-talk green growth and green transition budget speech that tries to climate-proof the trinity of jobs, growth, and sustainability misses patenting the invaluable grains of climate adaptation. Yet, while the budget increases the allocation for the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), we must recognize a crucial gap—the lack of a robust climate adaptation strategy -- which is a subtle miss in the budget speech. Social protection policies, particularly those aimed at vulnerable communities, must have been fortified to withstand climate shocks through an ear-marked budgetary allocation. Climate Adaptation is not an option—it is an imperative. The world is facing unprecedented geopolitical pushback on the climate agenda, and India should have ensured that its fiscal policies reflect this reality through an enhanced budgetary allocation.” On Jal Jeevan Mission Nitin Bassi, Senior Programme Lead, Council for Energy Environment & Water “The extension of Jal Jeevan Mission to 2028 is a big step to ensure the safety of domestic water supply services in rural India, which will also help cover the remaining 20% of the rural households (about 3.9 crores) with tap connections. CEEW research highlights, there is a need to ensure the reliability and potability of water supply as well, in addition to creating infrastructure. This extension will work towards that by focusing on the quality of water supply infrastructure, and efficient operations and maintenance through community participation. Additionally, there should be a focus on ensuring the quality of supplied water and strengthening the data monitoring infrastructure.” On Agriculture Devinder Sharma, Agriculture Trade Policy Expert “The government has kept agriculture as one of the top priorities, but this has been the case for the last eight years. However, the government has not talked about farmers’ income or agriculture income, which should be the prime concern. Without considering this, just keeping it as a top priority wouldn’t make any difference because if farmers do not have a stable income, they will not be able to deal with the challenges posed by climate change. There will be no capacity to deal with extreme weather events. I believe that we need to work on this and the same should have been included in the budget which is missing.” On Sustainable Cities Prof Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy. Prof Prakash has just been nominated as lead author of IPCC AR7’s upcoming report on Cities and Climate Change. "The Economic Survey 2025 highlights the commitment to fostering sustainable urban growth through strategic infrastructure development. The government’s initiatives, including the expansion of metro rail networks and the transformative effects of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, illustrate significant advancements in urban mobility and sanitation. With projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban aimed at providing housing for millions and the Smart Cities Mission, the focus is on creating liveable, connected, and environmentally friendly urban spaces. The integration of vertical gardens, exemplified in various initiatives, underscores the importance of innovative, eco-conscious practices that enhance urban aesthetics and improve air quality. These efforts ensure that India is not only building infrastructure but also investing in the well-being of its citizens, paving the way for a resilient and sustainable urban future."

Implications of the union budget 2025-26 on India’s sustainable development

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has placed the middle class at the centre of Budget 2025, offering a significant tax relief that will ease financial burdens on millions of taxpayers. &nbsp;
The highlight of this year&rsquo;s budget is zero income tax for earnings up to ₹12 lakh. For salaried individuals, the exemption limit extends to ₹12.75 lakh, factoring in the ₹75,000 standard deduction. This announcement is expected to boost disposable income, encourage spending, and provide much-needed financial relief.
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW206877242 BCX8" paraid="1616019033" paraeid="{ea5885df-2ad6-41d7-86a3-41c6350685ac}{81}">A shift in capital expenditure strategy&nbsp;</h2>
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In previous budgets, Sitharaman prioritised large capital expenditures, focusing on infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, and urban development. However, this year&rsquo;s budget takes a more measured approach. The government has allocated ₹11.2 lakh crore for capital expenditure in 2025-26, a modest increase from ₹11.1 lakh crore in the previous budget. This is a notable slowdown compared to the 11% rise in the last budget, signalling a shift towards balancing growth with fiscal prudence.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW206877242 BCX8" paraid="1654345592" paraeid="{ea5885df-2ad6-41d7-86a3-41c6350685ac}{93}">Maintaining fiscal discipline&nbsp;</h2>
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Sitharaman has maintained her reputation for financial prudence by keeping the fiscal deficit at 4.4% for the next financial year. This is lower than the expected 4.5%, demonstrating the government&rsquo;s commitment to economic stability while ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. The decision to moderate capital expenditure growth while expanding tax relief highlights the government&rsquo;s strategy of supporting economic activity without compromising fiscal discipline.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW206877242 BCX8" paraid="341835873" paraeid="{ea5885df-2ad6-41d7-86a3-41c6350685ac}{105}">Focus on Viksit Bharat roadmap&nbsp;</h2>
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While focusing on tax relief and economic stability, the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision remains a key priority. Sitharaman has detailed plans to rejuvenate key sectors, particularly agriculture and small industries, recognising them as engines of economic growth. The budget also prioritises human capacity building, with a strong emphasis on skill development and workforce training. These initiatives are expected to enhance employability, address job creation concerns, and strengthen the long-term growth trajectory of the economy.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW206877242 BCX8" paraid="1627843357" paraeid="{ea5885df-2ad6-41d7-86a3-41c6350685ac}{117}">Challenges in the economic landscape&nbsp;</h2>
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This budget comes at a time when India&rsquo;s economy is facing multiple challenges. Consumer demand remains subdued, inflation is impacting household budgets, and GDP growth is showing signs of slowdown. The Economic Survey estimates a growth range of 6.3% to 6.8% in FY26, which is below the pace required to achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047 target. The report stresses the importance of land and labour reforms to accelerate economic expansion.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW206877242 BCX8" paraid="501519319" paraeid="{ea5885df-2ad6-41d7-86a3-41c6350685ac}{129}">Balancing growth with sustainability&nbsp;</h2>
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India continues to be one of the fastest-growing major economies, but there are clear signs of moderation. The government remains committed to achieving an 8% annual growth rate, which is considered crucial for long-term economic prosperity. The projected growth rate for FY25-26 is 6.4%, compared to 8.2% in FY23-24, indicating the need for policy measures that drive sustainable growth.&nbsp;
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Budget 2025 strikes a careful balance between taxpayer relief, economic expansion, and fiscal discipline. The higher tax exemption limit will benefit millions of middle-class families, while a measured increase in capital spending ensures financial stability. The government&rsquo;s continued focus on employment generation, skill development, and sectoral growth aligns with its long-term vision for a stronger, self-reliant India.&nbsp;
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Business & Economy, Increasing income tax limit is expected to boost disposable income, encourage spending, and provide much-needed financial relief.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has placed the middle class at the centre of Budget 2025, offering a significant tax relief that will ease financial burdens on millions of taxpayers. The highlight of this year’s budget is zero income tax for earnings up to ₹12 lakh. For salaried individuals, the exemption limit extends to ₹12.75 lakh, factoring in the ₹75,000 standard deduction. This announcement is expected to boost disposable income, encourage spending, and provide much-needed financial relief. A shift in capital expenditure strategy In previous budgets, Sitharaman prioritised large capital expenditures, focusing on infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, and urban development. However, this year’s budget takes a more measured approach. The government has allocated ₹11.2 lakh crore for capital expenditure in 2025-26, a modest increase from ₹11.1 lakh crore in the previous budget. This is a notable slowdown compared to the 11% rise in the last budget, signalling a shift towards balancing growth with fiscal prudence. Maintaining fiscal discipline Sitharaman has maintained her reputation for financial prudence by keeping the fiscal deficit at 4.4% for the next financial year. This is lower than the expected 4.5%, demonstrating the government’s commitment to economic stability while ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. The decision to moderate capital expenditure growth while expanding tax relief highlights the government’s strategy of supporting economic activity without compromising fiscal discipline. Focus on Viksit Bharat roadmap While focusing on tax relief and economic stability, the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision remains a key priority. Sitharaman has detailed plans to rejuvenate key sectors, particularly agriculture and small industries, recognising them as engines of economic growth. The budget also prioritises human capacity building, with a strong emphasis on skill development and workforce training. These initiatives are expected to enhance employability, address job creation concerns, and strengthen the long-term growth trajectory of the economy. Challenges in the economic landscape This budget comes at a time when India’s economy is facing multiple challenges. Consumer demand remains subdued, inflation is impacting household budgets, and GDP growth is showing signs of slowdown. The Economic Survey estimates a growth range of 6.3% to 6.8% in FY26, which is below the pace required to achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047 target. The report stresses the importance of land and labour reforms to accelerate economic expansion. Balancing growth with sustainability India continues to be one of the fastest-growing major economies, but there are clear signs of moderation. The government remains committed to achieving an 8% annual growth rate, which is considered crucial for long-term economic prosperity. The projected growth rate for FY25-26 is 6.4%, compared to 8.2% in FY23-24, indicating the need for policy measures that drive sustainable growth. Budget 2025 strikes a careful balance between taxpayer relief, economic expansion, and fiscal discipline. The higher tax exemption limit will benefit millions of middle-class families, while a measured increase in capital spending ensures financial stability. The government’s continued focus on employment generation, skill development, and sectoral growth aligns with its long-term vision for a stronger, self-reliant India.

Budget 2025: No tax up to Rs 12 lakh, focus on stability and long-term growth

India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, tabled the union budget for 2025 on Saturday. This highly-anticipated budget began with a ruckus in parliament, with the opposition staging a walkout. But Sitharaman began her speech, saying midway, 'Please listen fully and then react.' She also chuckled while announcing that personal tax would come later in her speech. And she did have an ace up her sleeve.
<h2>Personal tax slabs revised</h2>
In a major boost to the country's middle class, tax earners below Rs 12 lakh annually will now be exempt from paying any income tax. This increases the 'no income tax slab' by Rs 5 lakhs.&nbsp;
New tax slab:
Rs 0-4 lakh -- Nil Rs 4-8 lakh -- 5% Rs 8-12 lakh -- 10% Rs 16-20 lakh -- 20% Rs 20-24 lakh -- 25% Above Rs 24 lakh -- 30%
Meanwhile, major tax relief has also been announced for seniors.&nbsp;
Coming to indirect taxes, the major focus is on securing critical minerals and life-saving medicines from customs tariffs. Tax exemptions for 36 life-saving medicines have been announced, and the total number of custom tariffs have been reduced. This comes as a major boost for tech companies relying on the use of precious metals and also people seeking foreign medicines.
<h2>Focus on Agriculture</h2>
Nirmala Sitharaman began her speech by listing the growth engines of the economy. And the first on the list was Agriculture. She announced a new scheme for low-productivity districts, highlighting how over 17 million farmers are set to benefit. The credit limit has also been extended to over 77 million farmers. Special focus is on boosting cotton productivity and empowering 'Makhana' farmers.
<h2>Make-in-India &amp; Women-led development</h2>
The finance minister made a special reference to India's ambition of becoming a global innovation hub. Especially in the domestic footwear industry, she announced major support for the creation of new jobs. Boosting domestic toy production is also on the Agenda, with Sitharaman saying, 'India aims to be a global toy production hub.' Sitharaman highlighted advancements in women-led start-ups, with a major focus on job creation. She also announced a loan scheme for 500,000 women entrepreneurs.
<h2> Focus on AI &amp; Innovation</h2>
As expected, Artificial intelligence became a major focus in this year's budget. Sitharaman announced the launch of the Centre for Excellence in AI to prepare the youth and ensure AI-related skill development at the national level. Innovation was a central theme, especially in developing medical prowess. With 'Heal-in-India' as one of the objectives, Sitharaman has allocated Rs 20000 crore for medical tourism. She also announced the Nuclear energy mission for 'Viksit Bharat.'

Business & Economy, Nirmala Sitharaman began her speech by listing the growth engines of the economy, and the first on the list was Agriculture. 

India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, tabled the union budget for 2025 on Saturday. This highly-anticipated budget began with a ruckus in parliament, with the opposition staging a walkout. But Sitharaman began her speech, saying midway, 'Please listen fully and then react.' She also chuckled while announcing that personal tax would come later in her speech. And she did have an ace up her sleeve. Personal tax slabs revised In a major boost to the country's middle class, tax earners below Rs 12 lakh annually will now be exempt from paying any income tax. This increases the 'no income tax slab' by Rs 5 lakhs. New tax slab: Rs 0-4 lakh -- Nil Rs 4-8 lakh -- 5% Rs 8-12 lakh -- 10% Rs 16-20 lakh -- 20% Rs 20-24 lakh -- 25% Above Rs 24 lakh -- 30% Meanwhile, major tax relief has also been announced for seniors. Coming to indirect taxes, the major focus is on securing critical minerals and life-saving medicines from customs tariffs. Tax exemptions for 36 life-saving medicines have been announced, and the total number of custom tariffs have been reduced. This comes as a major boost for tech companies relying on the use of precious metals and also people seeking foreign medicines. Focus on Agriculture Nirmala Sitharaman began her speech by listing the growth engines of the economy. And the first on the list was Agriculture. She announced a new scheme for low-productivity districts, highlighting how over 17 million farmers are set to benefit. The credit limit has also been extended to over 77 million farmers. Special focus is on boosting cotton productivity and empowering 'Makhana' farmers. Make-in-India & Women-led development The finance minister made a special reference to India's ambition of becoming a global innovation hub. Especially in the domestic footwear industry, she announced major support for the creation of new jobs. Boosting domestic toy production is also on the Agenda, with Sitharaman saying, 'India aims to be a global toy production hub.' Sitharaman highlighted advancements in women-led start-ups, with a major focus on job creation. She also announced a loan scheme for 500,000 women entrepreneurs. Focus on AI & Innovation As expected, Artificial intelligence became a major focus in this year's budget. Sitharaman announced the launch of the Centre for Excellence in AI to prepare the youth and ensure AI-related skill development at the national level. Innovation was a central theme, especially in developing medical prowess. With 'Heal-in-India' as one of the objectives, Sitharaman has allocated Rs 20000 crore for medical tourism. She also announced the Nuclear energy mission for 'Viksit Bharat.'

Budget 2025 key highlights: Tax reforms, agriculture and AI in focus

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2025-26 at the Indian Parliament on Saturday (Feb 1). It was a historic moment as it was her eighth consecutive budget.
Marking the occasion, Sitharaman arrived at the Parliament draped in an exquisite saree, once again showcasing her love for Indian artwork and cultural heritage.
<h2>What did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wear on Budget day?</h2>
On Saturday, Sitharam walked out wearing a beautiful off-white saree that quickly caught the eyes of fashion aficionados and art lovers.&nbsp;
Also read: &nbsp;<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2025-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-pays-tribute-to-madhubani-art-dons-elegant-off-white-saree-8679840" aria-label="Budget 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute to Madhubani art, dons elegant off-white saree">Budget 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute to Madhubani art, dons elegant off-white saree</a>
Her saree was a tribute to the centuries-old Madhubani art form of Bihar.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Dulari Devi Ji is among those who has been conferred the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PeoplesPadma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PeoplesPadma</a>. She is a talented artist who hails from Madhubani in Bihar. During the informal interaction with the awardees after the ceremony, she presented to me her artwork. Humbled by her gesture. My gratitude to her. <a href="https://t.co/j0sPPIOGWR">pic.twitter.com/j0sPPIOGWR</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1458818553931386882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The white handloom silk saree featured a golden border with intricate and colourful Madhubani prints, making it the highlight of her elegant attire. She paired her gorgeous saree with a contrasting red blouse and gold jewellery.
<h2>Did you know the saree is a gift from a Padma Shri awardee?</h2>
Continuing her tradition of honouring India&rsquo;s rich textile heritage, Sitharaman wore a saree that was gifted to her by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi.
Dulari, who hails from Bihar, presented the saree to the finance minister during her visit to Madhubani for a credit outreach event at the Mithila Art Institute. <img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/0x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/86359c7d-a03.png" alt="" style="width: 0px;">
Also read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/short-budget-2025-nirmala-sitharaman-honors-madhubani-art-through-her-saree-read-details-here-8680399" aria-label="Nirmala Sitharaman Honors Madhubani Art Through her Saree, Read Details Here!">Nirmala Sitharaman Honors Madhubani Art Through her Saree, Read Details Here!</a>
During their conversation about Madhubani art in Bihar, Dulari gifted the saree and requested Sitharaman to wear it on Budget Day.
<h2>Who is Dulari Devi?</h2>
The 52-year-old artist was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021 for her immense contribution to preserving folk art.
Born in Ranti village, Bihar, Dulari Devi comes from a marginalised Dalit Mallah community. Growing up in a rural area, she faced numerous personal hardships.
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-budget-2025-zero-income-tax-till-12-lakh-income-under-new-tax-regime-announces-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-8680411" rel="dofollow"> India Budget 2025: Zero Income Tax till ₹12 lakh income under new tax regime, announces FM Nirmala Sitharaman</a>
Married at the tender age of 13, she was abandoned by her husband at 16 and returned to her parent's home after losing her child
She developed her love for the art form when she was working as a domestic help in the home of Madhubani artisan Mahasundari Devi,&nbsp;who introduced her to Karpoori Devi, another renowned Madhubani painter.
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2025-fm-sitharaman-announces-modified-udaan-scheme-to-boost-regional-connectivity-8680432"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2025-fm-sitharaman-announces-modified-udaan-scheme-to-boost-regional-connectivity-8680432">Budget 2025: 120 new aviation destinations - modified 'UDAN Scheme' to boost regional air connectivity</a>
Over the years, she has created more than 10,000 paintings, which have been showcased in over 50 exhibitions. She has also presented her artwork to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

India News | Lifestyle | Entertainment Over the years, Dulari Devi has created more than 10,000 paintings, which have been showcased in over 50 exhibitions. She has also presented her artwork to PM Narendra Modi. 

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2025-26 at the Indian Parliament on Saturday (Feb 1). It was a historic moment as it was her eighth consecutive budget. Marking the occasion, Sitharaman arrived at the Parliament draped in an exquisite saree, once again showcasing her love for Indian artwork and cultural heritage. What did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wear on Budget day? On Saturday, Sitharam walked out wearing a beautiful off-white saree that quickly caught the eyes of fashion aficionados and art lovers. Also read: Budget 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute to Madhubani art, dons elegant off-white saree Her saree was a tribute to the centuries-old Madhubani art form of Bihar. Dulari Devi Ji is among those who has been conferred the #PeoplesPadma. She is a talented artist who hails from Madhubani in Bihar. During the informal interaction with the awardees after the ceremony, she presented to me her artwork. Humbled by her gesture. My gratitude to her. pic.twitter.com/j0sPPIOGWR — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2021 The white handloom silk saree featured a golden border with intricate and colourful Madhubani prints, making it the highlight of her elegant attire. She paired her gorgeous saree with a contrasting red blouse and gold jewellery. Did you know the saree is a gift from a Padma Shri awardee? Continuing her tradition of honouring India’s rich textile heritage, Sitharaman wore a saree that was gifted to her by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi. Dulari, who hails from Bihar, presented the saree to the finance minister during her visit to Madhubani for a credit outreach event at the Mithila Art Institute. Also read: Nirmala Sitharaman Honors Madhubani Art Through her Saree, Read Details Here! During their conversation about Madhubani art in Bihar, Dulari gifted the saree and requested Sitharaman to wear it on Budget Day. Who is Dulari Devi? The 52-year-old artist was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021 for her immense contribution to preserving folk art. Born in Ranti village, Bihar, Dulari Devi comes from a marginalised Dalit Mallah community. Growing up in a rural area, she faced numerous personal hardships. Also read: India Budget 2025: Zero Income Tax till ₹12 lakh income under new tax regime, announces FM Nirmala Sitharaman Married at the tender age of 13, she was abandoned by her husband at 16 and returned to her parent's home after losing her child She developed her love for the art form when she was working as a domestic help in the home of Madhubani artisan Mahasundari Devi, who introduced her to Karpoori Devi, another renowned Madhubani painter. Also read: Budget 2025: 120 new aviation destinations - modified 'UDAN Scheme' to boost regional air connectivity Over the years, she has created more than 10,000 paintings, which have been showcased in over 50 exhibitions. She has also presented her artwork to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Who is Dulari Devi, the woman who gifted Nirmala Sitharaman her Budget 2025 saree?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday ( Feb 1) announced in the Union Budget 2025 the launch of a modified UDAN Scheme aimed at improving regional air connectivity. The new aviation scheme will add 120 new destinations and is set to carry 40 million passengers over the next 10 years.
Also Read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2025-fm-sitharaman-announces-pm-dhan-dhanya-krishi-yojana-for-farmers-increases-loan-limit-for-kisan-credit-cards-8680278">Budget 2025: FM Sitharaman announces PM &lsquo;Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana&rsquo; for farmers, increases loan limit for kisan credit cards</a>
<h2>The success of the UDAN Scheme &nbsp;</h2>
The current UDAN scheme has connected 88 airports and ports and operated 698 routes, benefiting 15 million middle-class passengers by making air travel faster and more affordable.
Also Read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-budget-2025-fm-sitharaman-vows-to-implement-reforms-across-six-vital-domains-8680302">Union Budget 2025: FM Sitharaman vows to implement reforms across six vital domains</a>
Sitharaman said, &ldquo;The UDAN scheme has enabled 1.5 crore middle-class people to meet their aspirations for speedier travel. The scheme has connected 88 ports, airports and operationalised 698 routes.&rdquo; &nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | FM says, "....Inspired by the success, a modified UDAN scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore additional passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/S4UTo7FnCs">pic.twitter.com/S4UTo7FnCs</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1885577009675592183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

She further said, "UDAN has inspired by that success, a modified Udaan scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry four crore passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly aspirational and northeastern regional districts."
Also Read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-union-budget-2025-finance-minister-announces-new-classification-criteria-for-msmes-8680260"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-union-budget-2025-finance-minister-announces-new-classification-criteria-for-msmes-8680260">India Union Budget 2025: Finance Minister announces new classification criteria for MSMEs</a>
The modified scheme will focus on improving air travel in hilly, aspirational, and Northeast regions by developing helipads and smaller airports. Additionally, the government will build greenfield airports in Bihar and expand the capacity of Patna Airport and Brownfield Airport in Bihta.
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | India News | The current UDAN scheme has connected 88 airports and ports and operated 698 routes, benefiting 1.5 crore middle-class passengers by making air travel faster and more affordable.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday ( Feb 1) announced in the Union Budget 2025 the launch of a modified UDAN Scheme aimed at improving regional air connectivity. The new aviation scheme will add 120 new destinations and is set to carry 40 million passengers over the next 10 years. Also Read| Budget 2025: FM Sitharaman announces PM ‘Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana’ for farmers, increases loan limit for kisan credit cards The success of the UDAN Scheme The current UDAN scheme has connected 88 airports and ports and operated 698 routes, benefiting 15 million middle-class passengers by making air travel faster and more affordable. Also Read| Union Budget 2025: FM Sitharaman vows to implement reforms across six vital domains Sitharaman said, “The UDAN scheme has enabled 1.5 crore middle-class people to meet their aspirations for speedier travel. The scheme has connected 88 ports, airports and operationalised 698 routes.” #WATCH | FM says, "....Inspired by the success, a modified UDAN scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore additional passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly,… pic.twitter.com/S4UTo7FnCs — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025 She further said, "UDAN has inspired by that success, a modified Udaan scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry four crore passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly aspirational and northeastern regional districts." Also Read| India Union Budget 2025: Finance Minister announces new classification criteria for MSMEs The modified scheme will focus on improving air travel in hilly, aspirational, and Northeast regions by developing helipads and smaller airports. Additionally, the government will build greenfield airports in Bihar and expand the capacity of Patna Airport and Brownfield Airport in Bihta. (With inputs from agencies)

Budget 2025: 120 new aviation destinations - modified 'UDAN Scheme' to boost regional air connectivity

From tax reliefs to investments in healthcare and education, we hit the streets to ask Indian residents what they expect from the Union Budget 2025.
Hear their aspirations and dreams for the nation's financial roadmap on WION's budget vibe check.

Budget Vibe Check 2025: What the people hope

Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (Jan 31) addressed a joint session of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, marking the beginning of the 2024-25 Budget Session. Watch in for more details!

India's budget session kicks off

The 2025 Union Budget is more than just a financial roadmap&mdash;it&rsquo;s an opportunity to redefine the future of education in India. As classrooms evolve, integrating AI-driven tools into traditional education is no longer optional but essential. AI and conventional learning aren&rsquo;t opposing forces; rather, they can complement each other to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and effective education system. However, this transformation requires strategic investments and forward-thinking policies to ensure that India&rsquo;s education system is fully prepared for the digital era.&nbsp;
Despite significant progress in education, rote learning and standardized curricula still dominate Indian classrooms. While core subjects like mathematics and science remain crucial, the way students are taught has changed little over the years. AI-driven learning offers a chance to revolutionize education by making it more interactive and adaptive. Intelligent platforms can assist teachers in designing customized lesson plans, assessing student performance in real time, and providing targeted support where needed. &nbsp;
However, the successful implementation of AI in education hinges on three key areas: digital infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum adaptation. Without investment in these foundational elements, AI&rsquo;s potential to enhance learning will remain unrealized.&nbsp;
Imagine a future where AI acts as a teaching assistant, adapting to each student&rsquo;s unique strengths and weaknesses. Such systems could analyze a learner&rsquo;s progress and tailor lessons accordingly, making education more engaging and effective. However, realizing this vision requires significant funding in high-speed internet connectivity, smart classrooms, and AI-based learning tools. Schools, particularly in rural areas, must have access to reliable digital infrastructure to prevent AI education from becoming a privilege of the few. At the same time, educators need comprehensive training programs to integrate AI-driven techniques into their teaching. AI will not replace teachers, but it can empower them&mdash;provided they have the right skills to blend traditional methods with emerging technologies. A well-trained teacher, supported by AI, can bridge learning gaps and provide personalized attention in ways previously unimaginable.&nbsp;
A critical challenge in AI adoption is ensuring equal access to quality education across the country. While elite urban schools may be prepared for AI-driven classrooms, many rural and government-funded schools lack even basic technological infrastructure. Expanding internet connectivity to remote areas is a necessary first step. Additionally, AI-based learning tools should be made affordable through government subsidies and public-private partnerships. The development of AI solutions that support regional languages will also be crucial in making AI-driven education accessible to students across diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. If Budget 2025 prioritizes these initiatives, India can take a major step toward democratizing AI-powered learning.&nbsp;
<h2>India can also accelerate AI adoption in education by learning from global best practices. &nbsp;</h2>
Establishing AI research centers and incubators within universities can drive homegrown innovation tailored to India&rsquo;s unique educational needs. Collaboration between academia and industry will be essential in aligning AI-related courses with real-world job requirements, ensuring that students graduate with industry-relevant skills. Additionally, offering scholarships and grants for students pursuing AI and emerging technology fields will help build a workforce that is future-ready and equipped to lead in an increasingly AI-driven world.&nbsp;
As we embrace AI in education, it is equally important to address ethical concerns and data privacy. AI systems handling student information must be regulated to prevent misuse and safeguard sensitive data. Budget 2025 should introduce clear policies on the ethical deployment of AI in classrooms, ensuring that technological advancements enhance learning rather than create new risks. By funding research into responsible AI development, the government can strike a balance between innovation and student well-being.&nbsp;
AI-driven learning has the potential to transform education in India, making it more engaging, effective, and inclusive. However, this vision will only become a reality if Budget 2025 prioritizes AI integration through well-structured policies and targeted investments. If the right steps are taken today, India can not only modernize its classrooms but also prepare an entire generation for the future of work in a technology-driven world.&nbsp;

Business & Economy, AI-driven learning offers a chance to revolutionize education by making it more interactive and adaptive. Intelligent platforms can assist teachers.

The 2025 Union Budget is more than just a financial roadmap—it’s an opportunity to redefine the future of education in India. As classrooms evolve, integrating AI-driven tools into traditional education is no longer optional but essential. AI and conventional learning aren’t opposing forces; rather, they can complement each other to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and effective education system. However, this transformation requires strategic investments and forward-thinking policies to ensure that India’s education system is fully prepared for the digital era. Despite significant progress in education, rote learning and standardized curricula still dominate Indian classrooms. While core subjects like mathematics and science remain crucial, the way students are taught has changed little over the years. AI-driven learning offers a chance to revolutionize education by making it more interactive and adaptive. Intelligent platforms can assist teachers in designing customized lesson plans, assessing student performance in real time, and providing targeted support where needed. However, the successful implementation of AI in education hinges on three key areas: digital infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum adaptation. Without investment in these foundational elements, AI’s potential to enhance learning will remain unrealized. Imagine a future where AI acts as a teaching assistant, adapting to each student’s unique strengths and weaknesses. Such systems could analyze a learner’s progress and tailor lessons accordingly, making education more engaging and effective. However, realizing this vision requires significant funding in high-speed internet connectivity, smart classrooms, and AI-based learning tools. Schools, particularly in rural areas, must have access to reliable digital infrastructure to prevent AI education from becoming a privilege of the few. At the same time, educators need comprehensive training programs to integrate AI-driven techniques into their teaching. AI will not replace teachers, but it can empower them—provided they have the right skills to blend traditional methods with emerging technologies. A well-trained teacher, supported by AI, can bridge learning gaps and provide personalized attention in ways previously unimaginable. A critical challenge in AI adoption is ensuring equal access to quality education across the country. While elite urban schools may be prepared for AI-driven classrooms, many rural and government-funded schools lack even basic technological infrastructure. Expanding internet connectivity to remote areas is a necessary first step. Additionally, AI-based learning tools should be made affordable through government subsidies and public-private partnerships. The development of AI solutions that support regional languages will also be crucial in making AI-driven education accessible to students across diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. If Budget 2025 prioritizes these initiatives, India can take a major step toward democratizing AI-powered learning. India can also accelerate AI adoption in education by learning from global best practices. Establishing AI research centers and incubators within universities can drive homegrown innovation tailored to India’s unique educational needs. Collaboration between academia and industry will be essential in aligning AI-related courses with real-world job requirements, ensuring that students graduate with industry-relevant skills. Additionally, offering scholarships and grants for students pursuing AI and emerging technology fields will help build a workforce that is future-ready and equipped to lead in an increasingly AI-driven world. As we embrace AI in education, it is equally important to address ethical concerns and data privacy. AI systems handling student information must be regulated to prevent misuse and safeguard sensitive data. Budget 2025 should introduce clear policies on the ethical deployment of AI in classrooms, ensuring that technological advancements enhance learning rather than create new risks. By funding research into responsible AI development, the government can strike a balance between innovation and student well-being. AI-driven learning has the potential to transform education in India, making it more engaging, effective, and inclusive. However, this vision will only become a reality if Budget 2025 prioritizes AI integration through well-structured policies and targeted investments. If the right steps are taken today, India can not only modernize its classrooms but also prepare an entire generation for the future of work in a technology-driven world.

Can Budget 2025 bridge the gap between traditional education and AI-driven learning?

The 2025 Union Budget reveals that India's tax-to-GDP ratio now surpasses that of the United States, signaling a shift in the nation's economic growth and fiscal policies.

India Union Budget 2025: India's tax-to-GDP ration higher Than US

As India prepares for its 2025 budget, the youth of the nation are eagerly anticipating changes in education, employment, and social welfare that will shape their future.

India Union Budget 2025: What is the youth expecting?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, and she will become the first Finance Minister to achieve this feat.&nbsp;
<h2>What is the Union Budget 2025?</h2>
The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-budget-2025-date-time-when-and-where-to-watch-live-8668228">Union Budget 2025 - Date, time, when and where to watch live?</a>
<h2>Prime Ministers who have presented the Union Budget</h2>
1. Jawaharlal Nehru
India&rsquo;s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, presented the Union Budget in 1958. Nehru assumed responsibility for the finance ministry and presented the budget after the then-finance minister, T T Krishnamachari, resigned on February 12 amid the Mundhra Scandal.
2. Morarji Desai &nbsp;
Moraji Desai presented a total of 10 Union Budgets between 1959 and 1967, becoming the only person to hold this record. He served as prime minister of India from 1977 to 1979 and was a member of the Janata Dal party.
3. Indira Gandhi &nbsp;
Indira Gandhi, the first female prime minister of India, presented the Union Budget for 1970. She took control of the finance ministry in 1969 after the resignation of Morarji Desai for about a year.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2025-senior-citizens-demand-tax-rationalisation-8674183">Budget 2025: Senior citizens demand tax rationalisation</a>
4. Rajiv Gandhi &nbsp;
Rajiv Gandhi presented the Union Budget when he briefly took charge of the finance ministry from January to July 1987 after then-finance minister, V P Singh, was removed from his position.
5. Manmohan Singh 
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also served as the finance minister under P V Narasimha Rao's government between 1991 and 1996. In 1991, the budget that he presented was regarded as one of the most transformative budgets of India.
(With inputs from agencies)

India news | Business & economy | The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, and she will become the first Finance Minister to achieve this feat. What is the Union Budget 2025? The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026. Also read | Union Budget 2025 - Date, time, when and where to watch live? Prime Ministers who have presented the Union Budget 1. Jawaharlal Nehru India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, presented the Union Budget in 1958. Nehru assumed responsibility for the finance ministry and presented the budget after the then-finance minister, T T Krishnamachari, resigned on February 12 amid the Mundhra Scandal. 2. Morarji Desai Moraji Desai presented a total of 10 Union Budgets between 1959 and 1967, becoming the only person to hold this record. He served as prime minister of India from 1977 to 1979 and was a member of the Janata Dal party. 3. Indira Gandhi Indira Gandhi, the first female prime minister of India, presented the Union Budget for 1970. She took control of the finance ministry in 1969 after the resignation of Morarji Desai for about a year. Also read | Budget 2025: Senior citizens demand tax rationalisation 4. Rajiv Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi presented the Union Budget when he briefly took charge of the finance ministry from January to July 1987 after then-finance minister, V P Singh, was removed from his position. 5. Manmohan Singh Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also served as the finance minister under P V Narasimha Rao's government between 1991 and 1996. In 1991, the budget that he presented was regarded as one of the most transformative budgets of India. (With inputs from agencies)

Union Budget 2025: Prime Ministers who presented Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, and she will become the first Finance Minister to achieve this feat.&nbsp;
The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-budget-2025-date-time-when-and-where-to-watch-live-8668228">Union Budget 2025 - Date, time, when and where to watch live?</a>
<h2>Finance ministers who presented Union Budget</h2>
<ul>
<li>India&rsquo;s first Union Budget after independence was presented in November 1947.</li>
<li>Here are the finance ministers who have presented the budget after India&rsquo;s independence:</li>
<li>RK Shanmukham Chetty (August 15, 1947 - August 17, 1948)</li>
<li>John Matthai (September 22, 1948 - January 26, 1950; January 26, 1950 - May 6, 1950; May 6, 1950 - June 1, 1950)</li>
<li>CD Deshmukh (June 1, 1950 - May 13, 1952; May 13, 1952 - August 1, 1956)</li>
<li>TT Krishnamachari (June 1, 1950 - May 13, 1952; May 13, 1952 - August 1, 1956; August 31, 1963 - December 31, 1965)</li>
<li>Jawaharlal Nehru (August 1, 1956 - August 30, 1956; February 14, 1958 - March 22, 1958)</li>
<li>Morarji Desai (March 22, 1958 - April 10, 1962; April 10, 1962 - August 31, 1963; March 13, 1967 - July 16, 1969)</li>
<li>Sachindra Chaudhuri (January 1, 1966 - January 11, 1966; January 11, 1966 - January 24, 1966; January 24, 1966 - March 13, 1967)</li>
<li>Indira Gandhi (July 16, 1969 - June 27, 1970)</li>
<li>Yashwantrao B. Chavan (June 27, 1970 - March 18, 1971; March 18, 1971 - October 10, 1974)</li>
<li>Chidambaram Subramaniam (October 10, 1974 - March 24, 1977)</li>
</ul>
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2025-senior-citizens-demand-tax-rationalisation-8674183">Budget 2025: Senior citizens demand tax rationalisation</a>
<ul>
<li>Haribhai M. Patel (March 26, 1977 - January 24, 1979)</li>
<li>Charan Singh (January 24, 1979 - July 16, 1979)</li>
<li>R Venkataraman (January 14, 1980 - January 15, 1982)</li>
<li>Pranab Mukherjee (January 15, 1982 - October 31, 1984; October 31, 1984 - December 31, 1984)</li>
<li>VP Singh (December 31, 1984 - January 14, 1985; January 14. 1985 - March 30, 1985; March 30, 1985 - September 25, 1985; September 25, 1985 - January 24, 1987)</li>
<li>Rajiv Gandhi (January 24, 1987 - July 25, 1987)</li>
<li>ND Tiwari (July 25, 1987 - June 25, 1988)</li>
<li>Shankarrao B Chavan (June 25, 1988 - December 2, 1989)</li>
<li>Madhu Dandavate (December 5, 1989 - November 10, 1990)</li>
<li>Yashwant Sinha (November 21, 1990 - June 21, 1991; March 19, 1998 - October 13, 1999; October 13, 1999 - July 1, 2002)</li>
<li>Manmohan Singh (June 21, 1991 - May 16, 1996; November 30, 2008 - January 24, 2009; June 26, 2012 - July 31, 2012)</li>
<li>P Chidambaram (June 1, 1996 - April 21, 1997; May 1, 1997 - March 19, 1998; May 23, 2004 - November 30, 2008; July 31, 2012 - May 26, 2014)</li>
<li>Jaswant Singh (July 1, 2002 - May 22, 2004)</li>
<li>Pranab Mukherjee (January 24, 2009 - May 22, 2009; May 23, 2009 - June 26, 2012)</li>
<li>Arun Jaitley (May 26, 2014 - May 30, 2019)</li>
<li>Piyush Goyal (January 23, 2019 &ndash; February 15, 2019)</li>
<li>Nirmala Sitharaman (May 31, 2019 - Incumbent)</li>
</ul>
(With inputs from agencies)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, and she will become the first Finance Minister to achieve this feat. The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026. Also read | Union Budget 2025 - Date, time, when and where to watch live? Finance ministers who presented Union Budget India’s first Union Budget after independence was presented in November 1947. Here are the finance ministers who have presented the budget after India’s independence: RK Shanmukham Chetty (August 15, 1947 - August 17, 1948) John Matthai (September 22, 1948 - January 26, 1950; January 26, 1950 - May 6, 1950; May 6, 1950 - June 1, 1950) CD Deshmukh (June 1, 1950 - May 13, 1952; May 13, 1952 - August 1, 1956) TT Krishnamachari (June 1, 1950 - May 13, 1952; May 13, 1952 - August 1, 1956; August 31, 1963 - December 31, 1965) Jawaharlal Nehru (August 1, 1956 - August 30, 1956; February 14, 1958 - March 22, 1958) Morarji Desai (March 22, 1958 - April 10, 1962; April 10, 1962 - August 31, 1963; March 13, 1967 - July 16, 1969) Sachindra Chaudhuri (January 1, 1966 - January 11, 1966; January 11, 1966 - January 24, 1966; January 24, 1966 - March 13, 1967) Indira Gandhi (July 16, 1969 - June 27, 1970) Yashwantrao B. Chavan (June 27, 1970 - March 18, 1971; March 18, 1971 - October 10, 1974) Chidambaram Subramaniam (October 10, 1974 - March 24, 1977) Also read | Budget 2025: Senior citizens demand tax rationalisation Haribhai M. Patel (March 26, 1977 - January 24, 1979) Charan Singh (January 24, 1979 - July 16, 1979) R Venkataraman (January 14, 1980 - January 15, 1982) Pranab Mukherjee (January 15, 1982 - October 31, 1984; October 31, 1984 - December 31, 1984) VP Singh (December 31, 1984 - January 14, 1985; January 14. 1985 - March 30, 1985; March 30, 1985 - September 25, 1985; September 25, 1985 - January 24, 1987) Rajiv Gandhi (January 24, 1987 - July 25, 1987) ND Tiwari (July 25, 1987 - June 25, 1988) Shankarrao B Chavan (June 25, 1988 - December 2, 1989) Madhu Dandavate (December 5, 1989 - November 10, 1990) Yashwant Sinha (November 21, 1990 - June 21, 1991; March 19, 1998 - October 13, 1999; October 13, 1999 - July 1, 2002) Manmohan Singh (June 21, 1991 - May 16, 1996; November 30, 2008 - January 24, 2009; June 26, 2012 - July 31, 2012) P Chidambaram (June 1, 1996 - April 21, 1997; May 1, 1997 - March 19, 1998; May 23, 2004 - November 30, 2008; July 31, 2012 - May 26, 2014) Jaswant Singh (July 1, 2002 - May 22, 2004) Pranab Mukherjee (January 24, 2009 - May 22, 2009; May 23, 2009 - June 26, 2012) Arun Jaitley (May 26, 2014 - May 30, 2019) Piyush Goyal (January 23, 2019 – February 15, 2019) Nirmala Sitharaman (May 31, 2019 - Incumbent) (With inputs from agencies)

List of finance ministers who presented the Union Budget from 1947 to 2025

India&rsquo;s elderly, who&rsquo;ve spent decades contributing to nation-building, find themselves paying the price-- especially at a stage in life when they need support the most. With healthcare costs skyrocketing and limited tax relief, senior citizens are being taxed into despair. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Despite paying taxes for decades, seniors face double taxation in their golden years-- taxes on health insurance premiums, life insurance, and even annuities that were supposed to secure their retirement.&nbsp; &nbsp; The current limit under section 80D for health insurance tax deductions is woefully inadequate, especially when medical inflation is at an all-time high. And while other nations provide robust social security benefits, India's elderly are left to fend for themselves with meagre pensions and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; What do senior citizens want?&nbsp; &nbsp; Seniors are now demanding recognition for their contributions. Experts suggest the government must reward their contributions with policies that ease their burden. Tax breaks for health and life insurance premiums should be increased, with parallel increases in allowances for health-care costs for the aged. &nbsp; The 2025 Budget presents a great occasion to address seniors. Ignoring senior citizens who have built this nation would thus be detrimental to the country's aspiration to be inclusive in its growth. Experts say that the government really does not have that much fiscal running room to tackle all their social security needs in these hard days, but any sort of relief would go a long way toward providing such people dignity in their final years.&nbsp;

Business & Economy,  Seniors are now demanding recognition for their contributions. Experts suggest the government must reward their contributions.

India’s elderly, who’ve spent decades contributing to nation-building, find themselves paying the price-- especially at a stage in life when they need support the most. With healthcare costs skyrocketing and limited tax relief, senior citizens are being taxed into despair. Despite paying taxes for decades, seniors face double taxation in their golden years-- taxes on health insurance premiums, life insurance, and even annuities that were supposed to secure their retirement. The current limit under section 80D for health insurance tax deductions is woefully inadequate, especially when medical inflation is at an all-time high. And while other nations provide robust social security benefits, India's elderly are left to fend for themselves with meagre pensions and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. What do senior citizens want? Seniors are now demanding recognition for their contributions. Experts suggest the government must reward their contributions with policies that ease their burden. Tax breaks for health and life insurance premiums should be increased, with parallel increases in allowances for health-care costs for the aged. The 2025 Budget presents a great occasion to address seniors. Ignoring senior citizens who have built this nation would thus be detrimental to the country's aspiration to be inclusive in its growth. Experts say that the government really does not have that much fiscal running room to tackle all their social security needs in these hard days, but any sort of relief would go a long way toward providing such people dignity in their final years.

Budget 2025: Senior citizens demand tax rationalisation

With India’s Union Budget 2025 approaching, citizens and analysts share their expectations. Will the government's proposals match the country's needs, or will there be a gap between promises and outcomes?

Indian Budget 2025: What common Indian expects from Union Budget?

As India prepares for its upcoming budget presentation, one critical issue remains at the forefront: the country’s rising tax burden. While tax collections have seen a remarkable surge, many are questioning the strain it’s placing on the middle class. In this special report, we track global tax trends and compare India’s tax landscape to other economies. Is the government extracting too much from its citizens? Let’s take a closer look.

India Budget 2025: Tracking tax trends

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, becoming the first Finance Minister to achieve this.&nbsp;
<h2>What is the Union Budget 2025?</h2>
The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026.&nbsp;
Since 2019, various government policies on fiscal, spending, income and economy have been included in the budget paper, which is also called the bahi-khaata.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/will-the-budget-provide-tax-cuts-to-revive-indias-growth-story-8662975" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Will the budget provide tax cuts to revive India's growth story?</a>
<h2>Union Budget 2025: Date and time</h2>
The Union Budget 2025 will be presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Her speech will start at 11 am on Saturday (Feb 1) in the Lok Sabha.
<h2>Union Budget 2025: Where to Watch?</h2>
India&rsquo;s Union Budget presentation will be broadcast on the official TV channels of the government, Doordarshan and Sansad TV.
The budget speech can also be streamed on the official YouTube channels of the&nbsp;government.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/beneath-the-rising-new-regime-adoption-some-issues-that-must-be-addressed-8658833" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Budget 2025: Beneath the rising new regime adoption, some issues that must be addressed</a>
Sitharaman&rsquo;s budget presentation can be watched live at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/">https://www.wionews.com/</a>.&nbsp;
To track the latest updates on the Union Budget 2025, follow WION&rsquo;s live Budget blog <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/india-budget-2025" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
The budget documents can be accessed on the Union government&rsquo;s official website: <a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in">www.indiabudget.gov.in</a>&nbsp;
The Union Budget Mobile App can also provide access to the budget documents, which include the Annual Financial Statement, Demand for Grants (DG), Finance Bill and others, as per the Consitution.
These documents will be available in Hindi and English languages.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday (Feb 1). This will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation, becoming the first Finance Minister to achieve this. What is the Union Budget 2025? The Union Budget 2025 is an annual financial statement that will provide a proposal of expenditures and revenues of the federal government for the next fiscal year, starting April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026. Since 2019, various government policies on fiscal, spending, income and economy have been included in the budget paper, which is also called the bahi-khaata. Also read | Will the budget provide tax cuts to revive India's growth story? Union Budget 2025: Date and time The Union Budget 2025 will be presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Her speech will start at 11 am on Saturday (Feb 1) in the Lok Sabha. Union Budget 2025: Where to Watch? India’s Union Budget presentation will be broadcast on the official TV channels of the government, Doordarshan and Sansad TV. The budget speech can also be streamed on the official YouTube channels of the government. Also read | Budget 2025: Beneath the rising new regime adoption, some issues that must be addressed Sitharaman’s budget presentation can be watched live at https://www.wionews.com/. To track the latest updates on the Union Budget 2025, follow WION’s live Budget blog here. The budget documents can be accessed on the Union government’s official website: www.indiabudget.gov.in The Union Budget Mobile App can also provide access to the budget documents, which include the Annual Financial Statement, Demand for Grants (DG), Finance Bill and others, as per the Consitution. These documents will be available in Hindi and English languages.

Union Budget 2025 - Date, time, when and where to watch live?

India's economic growth is stalling as consumer demand is slowing. The broad expectations from the budget include a boost to consumption through corporate and personal tax cuts.

India Budget 2025: Nomura predicts corporate tax cuts to lift market sentiment

India Budget 2025: Will budget provide tax cuts to revive India growth story?

As India prepares its 2025 budget, senior citizens are calling for increased pension schemes, better healthcare access, and tax relief. They seek stronger financial security and improved quality of life in the upcoming fiscal year.

India Union Budget 2025: What are citizens expecting?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the union budget for 2025-26 on February 1, 2025. WION tells you what Indian taxpayers expect from this year's budget.

India Budget 2025: What Indian taxpayers are expecting from upcoming budget?

SBI research has outlined key recommendations aimed at addressing critical areas of India’s economy. These include a universal income transfer scheme, reforms to boost the insurance sector, and a roadmap for GST reforms. Let’s delve into each of these proposals and their potential impact.

India Budget 2025: SBI recommends universal income scheme & tax reforms

Business & Economy, taxes are necessary for building the physical and digital infrastructure driving India into its future, The momentum is with the new tax regime.

An income tax revamp is expected in the Union Budget. The Income Tax Act of 1961 will be rewritten. The aim? Make the laws concise, easy to follow, and reduce litigation. The momentum is with the new tax regime, introduced in 2020-21, which 72% of taxpayers now prefer, with many more likely to adopt it after the tax cuts in 2024. The new tax regime offers higher tax-free income, fewer deductions, and ease of filing. With next to no deductions and exemptions available in it, taxpayers are spared the cumbersome paperwork of proof submissions. Tax-free income levels are now at ₹7.75 lakh. If we look at the AY 2023-24 data from the Income Tax Department, we see that 70% tax filers reported a taxable income of 5 lakh or less, which means they had no tax liability1. Furthermore, 88% are under the ₹10 lakh limit, and 94% under ₹15 lakh. From this, we can deduce that nine in 10 taxpayers are either in a no-tax or a low-tax bracket. Most of them will choose the new regime going forward. And therefore, this provides us the opportunity to look at the behavioral shifts triggered by the new regime in the context of troubling new trends and suggest what more could be done. Here are three asks from the Union Budget as far as personal tax is considered. Ask #1 — Enhance The 30% Slab To ₹18 Lakh 21% Inflation But No Change In 30% Slab Slab Limit in 2020 Limit in 2025 Hike 0% ₹ 250,000 ₹ 300,000 20% 5% ₹ 500,000 ₹ 700,000 40% 10% ₹ 750,000 ₹ 1,000,000 33% 15% ₹ 1,000,000 ₹ 1,200,000 20% 20% ₹ 1,250,000 ₹ 1,500,000 20% 25% ₹ 1,500,000 - - 30% > ₹ 1,500,001 > ₹ 1,500,001 0% The 25% slab was discontinued. 21% calculated as CII growth from 301 to 363. The new regime was introduced in 2020. Since then, the Cost Inflation Index (CII) is up 20.59%. Most new regime brackets have been enhanced by at least 20%. Except one. The 30% slab is stuck at the ₹15 lakh level since the start. If we update it by 20%, it needs to be at ₹18 lakh. Without this update, taxpayers with higher income get burdened with a disproportionately higher share of the taxes. More on that in the next point. For the urban salaried—someone with high-interest EMIs, school-going children, and dependent family elders—a higher income compared to the average Indian may offer little consolation due to high inflation in healthcare, education, and costs of living. Such taxpayers, too, deserve some relief. Ask #2 — Fix The Brackets, Not Just Tax-Free Income To expand on the above point, this is also an ask to make the bracket enhancements secular. There are calls to increase tax-free income to ₹10 lakh from the current ₹7.75 lakh. Tax-free income has its benefits. But it is being enabled at the cost of taxpayers on the higher brackets that haven’t been adjusted for inflation for at least half a decade now. To put this into perspective, in AY 2023-24, the bottom 98%2 taxpayers accounted for only 23% of tax payments. The problem isn’t that the other 77% comes from just 2% of taxpayers. The problem is those 2% amount to barely 1.3 million taxpayers. Of them, just 91,000 filers alone—the top 0.1%—with incomes above ₹1 crore accounted for 58% of income tax collections3. Merely increasing tax-free income without bracket enhancement shifts the income tax burden on those with higher incomes. As per our calculations, all earners above ₹19 lakh are now paying excess taxes—which we calculated as the difference between inflation-adjusted taxes and actual taxes. For instance, basis the CII, a taxpayer with a taxable income of ₹25 lakh now pays ₹37,200 a year in excess taxes. Ask #3 – Provide A 30% Deduction, Fix The Incentives One of the key benefits of the new regime is the absence of deductions and exemptions. But five years later, we’re also seeing some troubling trends emerge. Life insurance penetration is dropping4. ELSS inflows are falling during some tremendous years for equity5. Among those surveyed by BankBazaar, fewer salaried respondents are interested in small savings schemes, and interest in NPS remains low6. We postulate that in the absence of tax deductions, interest in essential protections and long-term savings is declining. In the past year, we’ve had an economic slowdown, declining household savings, and stagnant incomes. Simultaneously, there’s increasing reliance on credit for consumption to a point where delinquencies have started to hurt. These are circumstances where low savings and protections can be particularly damaging for households. Excess Taxes Paid Without Inflation Adjustment Taxable Income Total Tax In 2020-21 Total Tax In 2024-25 Indexed Tax Should Be Excess Monthly Taxes ₹ 1,900,000 ₹ 319,800 ₹ 270,400 ₹ 265,179 ₹ 435 ₹ 2,000,000 ₹ 351,000 ₹ 301,600 ₹ 291,050 ₹ 879 ₹ 2,500,000 ₹ 507,000 ₹ 457,600 ₹ 420,405 ₹ 3,100 ₹ 3,000,000 ₹ 663,000 ₹ 613,600 ₹ 549,760 ₹ 5,320 ₹ 3,500,000 ₹ 819,000 ₹ 769,600 ₹ 679,116 ₹ 7,540 ₹ 4,000,000 ₹ 975,000 ₹ 925,600 ₹ 808,471 ₹ 9,761 ₹ 4,500,000 ₹ 1,131,000 ₹ 1,081,600 ₹ 937,826 ₹ 11,981 ₹ 5,000,000 ₹ 1,287,000 ₹ 1,237,600 ₹ 1,067,182 ₹ 14,202 Cost Inflation Index: 363 (2024-25) and 301 (2020-21). 2020-21 used as base year. The point can be made that deductions tied with the right incentives are necessary for fixing this problem. Traditionally, tax deductions have been linked to insurance and savings. The absence of one may be hurting the other. While the new regime had no deductions to start with, a few have now been added. More are needed. In the interest of simplification, a flat deduction of 30% of the gross income should be provided to include long-term savings, essential insurance, healthcare and education costs, and loan payments without confusing caps and sub-limits. The deduction can be capped at ₹15 lakh to ensure equity among income levels. The problem of tax rates also needs to be seen from the perspective of the government. Net income tax collections grew 25% last year. The share of direct taxes in total taxes has risen to a 14-year high of 56.72%, and the largest contributor to this growth is income tax, which provides 54% of all direct taxes. These taxes are necessary for building the physical and digital infrastructure driving India into its future. The government must ensure robust revenue generation. But with income tax, we are at an inflection point. Relief is due in some quarters. The writer is CEO, BankBazaar.com

Budget 2025: Beneath the rising new regime adoption, some issues that must be addressed

As Budget 2025 approaches, it’s time to spotlight a forgotten group: India’s senior citizens. After decades of paying taxes and contributing to nation-building, they now face rising medical costs, no social security, and unfair taxes on essentials like health insurance, life insurance, and annuities. Will the government finally address their struggles and honor their lifetime of contributions? Take a look at this report to find out more.

India Budget 2025: India's $2 trillion stock rally stumbles

India Budget 2025: Spotlight on Seniors

US President Donald Trump's recent executive orders, signed on the first night of his second presidency, outline a protectionist 'America first trade policy.' This includes imposing global "supplemental tariffs" and threatening a 100 per cent tariff on BRICS nations, including India, if they reduce reliance on the US dollar for foreign trade. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Will Trump 2.0 impact India's budget?</h2>
Economists believe these measures will have minimal immediate impact on India's budget. The Indian government had already anticipated potential tariff changes when the US election results were announced in November, factoring in these risks during the budget preparation process.&nbsp;
India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to maintain a calibrated approach in the upcoming budget, balancing domestic competitiveness and global trade integration. Economists suggest that tariff-related adjustments, including import duties, will not be drastic. While Trump&rsquo;s tariffs may raise global inflation, the Indian government will likely keep input costs in check without making major changes to import duties. &nbsp;&nbsp;
India's long-term commitments in climate and health-related areas are also expected to remain unaffected by US Policy shifts.&nbsp;
While the US has announced 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting February 1, economists point out that the impact on commodity prices could affect India's inflation rates. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Experts like Madan Sabnavis note that higher labour costs in the US could drive up wages, influencing global prices. India is already evaluating responses, including potential trade deals and tariff cuts, to mitigate the effects of these global trade policies.&nbsp;

Business & Economy, India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to maintain a calibrated approach in the upcoming budget, India is already evaluating responses.

US President Donald Trump's recent executive orders, signed on the first night of his second presidency, outline a protectionist 'America first trade policy.' This includes imposing global "supplemental tariffs" and threatening a 100 per cent tariff on BRICS nations, including India, if they reduce reliance on the US dollar for foreign trade. Will Trump 2.0 impact India's budget? Economists believe these measures will have minimal immediate impact on India's budget. The Indian government had already anticipated potential tariff changes when the US election results were announced in November, factoring in these risks during the budget preparation process. India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to maintain a calibrated approach in the upcoming budget, balancing domestic competitiveness and global trade integration. Economists suggest that tariff-related adjustments, including import duties, will not be drastic. While Trump’s tariffs may raise global inflation, the Indian government will likely keep input costs in check without making major changes to import duties. India's long-term commitments in climate and health-related areas are also expected to remain unaffected by US Policy shifts. While the US has announced 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting February 1, economists point out that the impact on commodity prices could affect India's inflation rates. Experts like Madan Sabnavis note that higher labour costs in the US could drive up wages, influencing global prices. India is already evaluating responses, including potential trade deals and tariff cuts, to mitigate the effects of these global trade policies.

Budget 2025: Managing global risks & domestic competitiveness

With the union budget and monetary policy announcement on the horizon, India faces a challenging economic environment marked by slowing urban demand, uncertain private investment, and global economic headwinds. In such a scenario, the incoming budget needs to put taxpayers first and rationalise their burden while steering growth effectively and keeping inflation under check.&nbsp; &nbsp; Rationalising revenue expenditure&nbsp; &nbsp; Much of the government's spending goes into revenue expenditures such as subsidies and interest payments, leaving little room for productive investments. Almost 60 per cent of this year's budgeted revenue expenditure has already been spent, compared with just 46 per cent of capital expenditure. Rationalising subsidies, especially the food subsidy programme, could free up funds for infrastructure and development projects that boost economic growth.&nbsp; &nbsp; Why focus on taxes?&nbsp; &nbsp; The momentum of urban consumption is weakening. Taxpayers, particularly the middle class, need relief in the form of revised tax slabs or lower rates to stimulate demand. Yet, broadening the tax base is equally vital: less than 7 per cent of Indians file returns, while 60 per cent report zero taxable income. A fairer design of tax may ensure that its burden is distributed more equitably and increase revenue. &nbsp; Why targeted capex is key&nbsp; &nbsp; Public capex is the harbinger of economic activity but cannot be unrealistic or inefficient. Whether it is the roads or the defence sector, the worrying figure of 16 per cent capex contraction stares at us during this fiscal year. Removing the bottlenecks in project execution and setting attainable capex targets will ensure infrastructure development on schedule, create employment, and galvanize growth.
Experts believe that its focus must be on backing growth while controlling inflation rather than defending the rupee. As food inflation has eased and core inflation hasn't changed, easing liquidity and policy rates could help stimulate economic activity without risking instability. &nbsp; &nbsp; For taxpayers, budget 2025 should signal fairness, efficiency, and a commitment to growth-driven fiscal responsibility.&nbsp;

Business & Economy, Rationalising subsidies, especially the food subsidy programme, could free up funds for infrastructure and development projects that boost economic growth. 

With the union budget and monetary policy announcement on the horizon, India faces a challenging economic environment marked by slowing urban demand, uncertain private investment, and global economic headwinds. In such a scenario, the incoming budget needs to put taxpayers first and rationalise their burden while steering growth effectively and keeping inflation under check. Rationalising revenue expenditure Much of the government's spending goes into revenue expenditures such as subsidies and interest payments, leaving little room for productive investments. Almost 60 per cent of this year's budgeted revenue expenditure has already been spent, compared with just 46 per cent of capital expenditure. Rationalising subsidies, especially the food subsidy programme, could free up funds for infrastructure and development projects that boost economic growth. Why focus on taxes? The momentum of urban consumption is weakening. Taxpayers, particularly the middle class, need relief in the form of revised tax slabs or lower rates to stimulate demand. Yet, broadening the tax base is equally vital: less than 7 per cent of Indians file returns, while 60 per cent report zero taxable income. A fairer design of tax may ensure that its burden is distributed more equitably and increase revenue. Why targeted capex is key Public capex is the harbinger of economic activity but cannot be unrealistic or inefficient. Whether it is the roads or the defence sector, the worrying figure of 16 per cent capex contraction stares at us during this fiscal year. Removing the bottlenecks in project execution and setting attainable capex targets will ensure infrastructure development on schedule, create employment, and galvanize growth. Experts believe that its focus must be on backing growth while controlling inflation rather than defending the rupee. As food inflation has eased and core inflation hasn't changed, easing liquidity and policy rates could help stimulate economic activity without risking instability. For taxpayers, budget 2025 should signal fairness, efficiency, and a commitment to growth-driven fiscal responsibility.

Budget 2025: Experts suggest income tax rationalisation

India will once again look at managing its finances in a disciplined manner. The budget on February 1 will likely show the government's commitment to bringing down the fiscal deficit again.&nbsp;
<h2>What exactly is the fiscal deficit?&nbsp;</h2>
It represents the gap between the government's income and expenditure. Think of it as the financial bridge between what the government earns and what it spends. The government is all set to achieve its target for this year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the stage by announcing a bold fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent of GDP for this year &ndash; a significant drop from the previous year. So, how does the government cover the shortfall in revenue? The answer lies in strategic borrowing. The government floats government securities, issues bonds, and even taps into savings schemes to secure the necessary funds.
The Reserve Bank of India also transfers huge sums of money from the excess on its balance sheet. As we approach budget 2025, all eyes are on the finance minister's announcement. The finance commission recommended reducing the fiscal deficit further to 4.5 per cent by FY 2026. With the economic survey projecting GDP growth between 6-6.5 per cent, the government is poised to re-evaluate its fiscal strategy.
Data earlier this month indicated that the nominal growth for this fiscal year is 9.7 per cent, which is below the budget target of 10.5 per cent. India's real growth is projected to have decreased to 6.4 per cent, according to initial advance estimates.
This is due to an unexpected slowdown in the September quarter, during which growth reached a near two-year low of 5.4 per cent. Despite nominal growth data falling short of the objective set in budget 2024, experts predict that restrained capital spending and a surge in revenues will keep the deficit aim in control.

Business & Economy, India will once again look at managing its finances in a disciplined manner, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a bold fiscal deficit target.

India will once again look at managing its finances in a disciplined manner. The budget on February 1 will likely show the government's commitment to bringing down the fiscal deficit again. What exactly is the fiscal deficit? It represents the gap between the government's income and expenditure. Think of it as the financial bridge between what the government earns and what it spends. The government is all set to achieve its target for this year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the stage by announcing a bold fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent of GDP for this year – a significant drop from the previous year. So, how does the government cover the shortfall in revenue? The answer lies in strategic borrowing. The government floats government securities, issues bonds, and even taps into savings schemes to secure the necessary funds. The Reserve Bank of India also transfers huge sums of money from the excess on its balance sheet. As we approach budget 2025, all eyes are on the finance minister's announcement. The finance commission recommended reducing the fiscal deficit further to 4.5 per cent by FY 2026. With the economic survey projecting GDP growth between 6-6.5 per cent, the government is poised to re-evaluate its fiscal strategy. Data earlier this month indicated that the nominal growth for this fiscal year is 9.7 per cent, which is below the budget target of 10.5 per cent. India's real growth is projected to have decreased to 6.4 per cent, according to initial advance estimates. This is due to an unexpected slowdown in the September quarter, during which growth reached a near two-year low of 5.4 per cent. Despite nominal growth data falling short of the objective set in budget 2024, experts predict that restrained capital spending and a surge in revenues will keep the deficit aim in control.

Budget 2025: India aims to bring down fiscal deficit on track

budget-2025

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