The annual Union Budget of India is set to be announced for FY 25-26. Every year, budget plays a crucial role in deciding nation’s yearly activities and goals. Multiple polices are made, or reshaped, or continued to lead India’s progress. This year due to several global and national economic scenarios, Union Budget 2025 becomes a highly anticipated budget as it will provide roadmap for India’s economic journey.
This article will discuss the key details concerning the budget that you should know about.
Union Budget 2025 Date
In 2025, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on 1st February, 2025, Saturday. Generally, the stock market is closed on Saturdays, but in 2025, NSE and BSE will be kept open for share trading purposes on account of Union Budget. The share market will remain open for normal trading from 09:15 AM to 03:30 PM. It will allow investors to react to the policy announcements by the Central Government.
The commodity derivatives market is also set to be operational on the day of the budget till 5 PM. However, investors must note that there will be a settlement holiday on 1st February, so there will be no T+0 settlements.
Time of Presentation
The Union Budget 2025 is will be presented at 11 AM on 1st February 2025 by the Finance Minister of India, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman. This budget is set to be the 8th consecutive budget presented by our current Finance Minister, marking a new record. However, the current record for ‘Most budgets presented by Finance Miniters’ currently lies with former PM and FM Mr. Moraji Desai, who presented the Union Budget ten times!
Did you know? Moraji Desai held the finance ministry under both Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi!
Themes for the 2025 Budget
As per media reports, the upcoming budget session will largely centre around the broad themes of ‘Amrit Kaal’, which roughly translates to ‘Golden Era’, and ‘Viksit Bharat’, which translates to ‘Developed India’. The ‘Viksit Bharat’ theme is a part of the larger ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ initiative, which is the current government’s vision to transform the country into a developed one by 2047 (the year that marks a hundred years of India’s independence).
Important Budget Documents
The budget speech is just one facets of the entire budget presentation. Following the address, the Ministry of Finance releases a comprehensive set of budget documents. These documents delve deeper into the nitty-gritty details of the government's financial plan. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Annual Financial Statement (AFS): This document provides a high-level overview of the government's estimated receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year (2025-26).
- Finance Bill: This bill outlines the proposed changes to taxation policies, including any modifications to tax rates, slabs, or deductions.
- Demand for Grants: This document details the amount of money the government seeks from the Parliament for various ministries and departments.
These documents are crucial for understanding the specific implications of the budget for different sectors of the economy and for individual taxpayers. The government typically makes the budget documents readily available online shortly after the speech concludes.
Live Coverage for the 2025 Budget
Don’t miss out on key updates and real-time analysis on the budget day! Stay tuned and join us at ICICI Direct for our live coverage of the 2025 Budget on 1st February. So, don’t forget to mark your calendars.
