Sheetal Kalro, Deputy Director General, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Union Budget 2025-26, "There are a lot of expectations. This Budget will have a lot of focus on farmers, youth, women, common people and salaried employees...The Government has always focussed on senior citizens, their loans, insurances, medical aid are taken note of. A lot of focus will also be on women..."
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: FM Sitharaman To Unveil Policies To Boost Economy; Key Announcements Expected At 11 AM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman and her team outside Union Finance Ministry in New Delhi ahead of the Budget presentation. (PTI)
Published : Feb 1, 2025, 7:09 AM IST
|Updated : Feb 1, 2025, 10:11 AM IST
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2025 today (February 1) at 11 am, marking her eighth consecutive budget. The budget will address challenges such as slow economic growth, declining consumption, and the weakening rupee against the US dollar.
Among the most anticipated announcements is a potential revision in income tax slabs, with speculation that income up to Rs 10 lakh may become tax-free to boost middle-class spending. Industry leaders and taxpayers alike await clarity on capex growth, infrastructure development, and AI investments.
The Economic Survey tabled on Friday, has projected India's GDP growth at 6.3-6.8 per cent for FY 2025-26, the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, highlighting the need for structural reforms and deregulation to sustain long-term economic momentum.
Ahead of the Union Budget, President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to a joint session of Parliament, emphasised the government's efforts in overcoming a state of 'policy paralysis'. She credited strong policy determination for steering India through post-COVID recovery and global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions.
The Budget session commenced on January 31, with President Droupadi Murmu's address, followed by Sitharaman's tabling of the Economic Survey 2025 in Parliament. The session will be held in two phases- the first running from January 31 to February 13, and the second from March 10 to April 4.
The budget is expected to outline revenue expectations and government expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.
Assisting the Finance Minister in shaping the Budget proposals are Revenue Secretary Tuhin Pandey, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth, Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, and Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran.
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IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Union Budget 2025-26
Union Budget 2025-26: FM Sitharaman Arrives At Parliament After Meeting President Murmu
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at the Parliament, after meeting President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She will present the Union Budget at the House, shortly.
From Bahi-khata To Paperless: FM Sitharaman Again Carries Tablet In Red Pouch Today | Union Budget 2025-26
Nirmala Sitharaman, India's first full-time woman Finance Minister, broke away from the colonial tradition of carrying a Budget briefcase in July 2019, opting instead for a traditional 'bahi-khata', to carry the Union Budget papers. She continued this custom the following year, and in the pandemic-affected 2021, she replaced the traditional papers with a digital tablet to carry her speech and other Budget documents. This tradition continues on Saturday. Read More...
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: FM Sitharaman, MoS Pankaj Chaudhary Meet President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Union Budget 2025 will be presented at 11 am in the Parliament today.
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: FM Sitharaman Arrives At Rashtrapati Bhavan
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary arrive at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Droupadi Murmu ahead of tabling Union Budget 2025 in the parliament at 11 am today.
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: FM Sitharaman Clad In Saree Gifted By Padma Awardee In Tribute To Madhubani Art
On Budget 2025 day today, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is wearing a saree as a tribute to Madhubani Art and the skill of Padma awardee Dulari Devi. Dulari Devi is a 2021 Padma Shri awardee in 2021. When FM visited Madhubani for a credit outreach activity at Mithila Art Institute, she met Dulari Devi and had a cordial exchange of thoughts on Madhubani art in Bihar. Dulari Devi had presented the saree and asked FM to wear it for the budget day.
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: 'They May Try to Lure People As Delhi Elections Are Near', Says Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit
Ahead of FM Sitharaman presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit says, "We have no expectations from the budget. They have been presenting it for 10-11 years and have done nothing substantial. We just need to see how many dimensions they brought to give relaxation to their friends, big capitalists... They may try to lure people through some promises as elections are there in Delhi..."
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: Budget Copies Reach Parliament
Copies of Union Budget 2025-26 are brought to parliament as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table her 8th Union Budget today for the fiscal year 2025-26, in Lok Sabha.
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: Sitharaman Leaves To Meet President Murmu
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left the Ministry of Finance in North Block. She will present and read out the Union Budget 2025 at the Parliament through a tab, instead of the traditional 'bahi khata'. Sitharaman will reach President Droupadi Murmu's residence shortly and present her with a copy of the budget. The President will offer her sweetened curd after which the FM will proceed to parliament.
Union Budget 2025-26 Live: Nirmala Sitharaman Arrives At Ministry of Finance
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived at the Ministry of Finance ahead of presenting the Union Budget 2025 in Parliament on Saturday. As India anticipates the crucial economic roadmap, all eyes will be on her presentation, which is expected to outline key policies and fiscal strategies for the country's growth.
Siddaramaiah Demands Fair Resource Distribution Ahead of Union Budget
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to ensure a 'just and proportional' distribution of resources, criticising the Unjion government for its 'discriminatory approach' towards the state. Ahead of the Union Budget, Karnataka CM called for fair treatment, emphasising the importance of addressing the state's financial needs with empathy and transparency.
Himachal Pradesh's Expectations From Union Budget 2025-26
Himachal Pradesh's government and local sectors have high hopes for the upcoming Union Budget. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu requested full Union funding for an international airport and key railway projects. Shepherds, weavers, and the tourism industry seek more employment and skill development opportunities, especially in rural areas. Additionally, there are calls for road repairs, expansion of railways, and development of winter sports infrastructure, including skiing slopes in Manali, to boost tourism.
PM Modi Seeks Blessings for Poor, Middle Class Ahead of Budget Session
Ahead of the start of the Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that India will achieve its goal of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'. In his address, he prayed to Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, for special blessings on the poor and middle class, hoping the session would bring new hope and energy to the nation.
Last Updated : Feb 1, 2025, 10:11 AM IST