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Budget Live Updates

 12:28:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
Revised Income Tax Slabs under New Regime:
0 - 4 Lakh : Nil
4 - 8 Lakh : 5%
8 - 12 Lakh : 10%
12 - 16 Lakh : 15%
16 - 20 Lakh : 20%
20 - 24 Lakh : 25%
24 Lakh+ : 30%
 12:21:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
Nuclear Mission Announced: ₹20,000 crore announced for mission in an attempt to rope in private players.
 12:20:44 PM, 01 Feb 2025
FM Announces Tax Relief: No Income tax for individuals earning up to ₹12 Lakh
 12:12:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
The Finance Minister has proposed an import duty exemption on capital equipment used for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for EVs.
 12:11:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
Deep Tech Fund announced, to encourage startups from technical and non-technical backgrounds.
 12:10:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
Fiscal Deficit for FY25 set at 4.8% (estimated fiscal deficit for FY26 set at 4.4%).
 12:07:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
National Geospatial Mission announced to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data.
 12:06:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
A ₹10,000 crore AIF Category 1 Fund of Funds to support startup investments, with an expanded scope.
 12:02:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
36 life-saving medicines and drugs to be exempt from basic customs duty.
 12:01:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
FM proposes increasing FDI limit for the insurance sector to 100%.
 12:00:00 PM, 01 Feb 2025
Exports to be promoted to boost growth; Export Promotion Mission to improve export credit and cross-border factoring support.
 11:58:05 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The fiscal deficit target for FY25 is set at 4.8%, with a further reduction planned for FY26 at 4.4%, indicating a continued focus on fiscal consolidation.
 11:55:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The Udaan connectivity scheme aims to boost aviation and tourism with a focus on greenfield airports and enhanced connectivity.
 11:54:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
FM: New Income Tax Bill to be announced next week.
 11:51:18 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The government has proposed increasing the FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%.
 11:49:01 AM, 01 Feb 2025
New manufacturing mission to support small, medium, and large industries under the Make in India initiative; to boost ecosystem for solar PV cells, electrolysers, and grid-scale batteries.
 11:46:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The Heal in India initiative and medical tourism will receive a boost through capacity building with private partners and streamlined visa norms, benefiting private hospitals.
 11:44:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The Extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission to 2028, to achieve 100% coverage and an increased budget outlay, is a positive development for domestic pipe manufacturers.
 11:33:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
10,000 additional seats to be added in medical colleges and hospitals with a aim to raise this number to 75000 in next 5 years.
 11:32:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence to be set up
 11:31:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Expansion in IITs- Additional infrastructure to be developed in IITs started after 2014.
 11:30:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
5 national centers of excellence for skilling will be setup to equip Indian youth with the required skills.
 11:29:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Bhartiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme- To provide digital form of Indian language books for schools and higher education.
 11:27:14 AM, 01 Feb 2025
National institute of food technology, entrepreneurship and management to be set up in Bihar- To facilitate food processing activities in the entire eastern region of India
 11:26:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
• Scheme announced for manufacture of sustainable toys with a Make in India brand, target to make India a global manufacturing hub.
 11:24:51 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Footwear & Leather Sector of India- To improve productivity, quality and competitiveness a focused product scheme to be set up. It will provide employment to over 22 lakh people.
 11:22:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
A new fund of funds with an expanded scope and a fresh contribution of another 10,000 crores to be setup for startups.
 11:19:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
To improve access to credit for MSMEs, the credit guarantee cover changes brought by governemnt.
 11:18:21 AM, 01 Feb 2025
For Higher efficiency of scale in MSMEs- investor and turnover limits for classification will be enhanced to 2.5 and 2 times respectively.
 11:17:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Under 5F vision in textile industry- steady supply of cotton and technological support to be given by government.
 11:15:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Makhana Board to be launched in Bihar- Training, remuneration and scheme benefits to be provided by government.
 11:14:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Increase in nutritional needs leads to rise in consumption in vegetables for fruits- Finance Minister.
 11:11:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
6 year mission to be launched for Atmanirbhata in pulses especially for; toor daal, masoor dal and arhar dal.
 11:10:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Rural prosperity & resilience program in collaboration of state govt will be launched with a goal to generate ample opportunities in rural areas.
 11:08:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
The budget will revolve around 10 major drivers to boost Indian economy.
 11:07:34 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Budget will help achieve Governemnt agenda of Viksit Bharat
 11:06:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Budget will focus on Gareeb, Youth, Annadata and Naari- Hon Finance Minister
 11:05:18 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Union Budget speech will start at 11:00am
 11:02:00 AM, 01 Feb 2025
Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record eighth consecutive budget in Lok Sabha
 03:08:46 PM, 29 Jan 2025
Largest allocation in budget: The Ministry of Finance received the largest allocation in the 2024-25 budget, ₹18.58 lakh crore, accounting for 38.5% of the total budget.
 03:08:43 PM, 29 Jan 2025
Zero Tax: In 1962-63, zero tax was introduced for individuals earning below ₹10,000 annually
 03:08:41 PM, 29 Jan 2025
Paperless Budget: Introduced in 2021 via a mobile app due to COVID-19
 03:08:36 PM, 29 Jan 2025
Biggest Revenue Source: The largest revenue source for the government is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
 03:08:34 PM, 29 Jan 2025
Markets are currently positioned at a critical juncture around the 23,000 level as the Union Budget approaches
 02:07:00 PM, 28 Jan 2025
Women Development: Over ₹3 lakh crore was allocated for schemes benefiting women and girls, promoting women-led development in the previous budget
 02:06:40 PM, 28 Jan 2025
MSME Mudra Loans: The limit for Mudra loans was enhanced from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh to support small businesses in the previous budget
 02:05:46 PM, 28 Jan 2025
PMGSY Phase IV: In the previous budget, The fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched to provide all-weather connectivity to 25,000 rural habitations
 01:57:19 PM, 28 Jan 2025
Space Economy Expansion: previous year’s budget emphasized expanding the space economy by five times in the next decade, supported by a venture capital fund of ₹1,000 crore
 04:19:21 PM, 24 Jan 2025
Special Budget Covers: The red “Bahi Khata” replaced the traditional budget briefcase in 2019
 03:40:56 PM, 24 Jan 2025
Budget Date Change: The budget presentation date was changed from 28th February to 1st February in 2017

Union Budget Day on 1st Feb 2025

Expert Analysis on Union Budget 2025 on ICICI Direct YouTube

Budget Tweets 2025

Track Key Announcements on Budget 2025

Union Budget Quiz

Budget Opinion Poll

Question 1 / 10
Who was the first Prime Minister to present the Union Budget?
Which finance minister has presented the highest number of Union Budgets?
Where is the budget presented by the Government?
Who holds the record for delivering the longest Budget speech in India?
Who holds the record for delivering the shortest Budget speech in India?
In the which year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replaced the Budget briefcase with the traditional ‘Bahi Khata’ having the National Emblem?
According to which article of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year is referred to as the Annual Financial Statement?
When was India's first Budget introduced?
Which of the following Budget is India's first Paperless Budget Presentation?
Who presented the first Union Budget of Independent India?

Budget Opinion Poll

Question

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Union Budget is a statement of the Central government’s annual accounts for the forthcoming financial year that starts April 1. It contains details about the government's projected receivables and payables for that particular financial year. It also states how much the government will spend on its schemes, on defence, salaries of its employees and how its going to finance its expenditure. 

The Union Budget is a significant financial event that impacts the lives of every citizen as it lays down the government’s financial policy positions pertaining to economic growth, allocation of resources, borrowing, taxation, subsidies, and more. The objective of the Union Budget is to spur economic growth, reduce income inequality and unemployment, and promote equality and social justice for all.

The Budget division of the department of economic affairs in the finance ministry is responsible for preparing the Budget. The DEA is headed by a secretary (an IAS officer). The present Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das was Secretary, DEA, before his retirement. He was later appointed to his current post. 

The 2025 Budget, which sets the economic agenda for the financial year 2025-26, will be presented on 1st February 2025.

The Union Budget is presented by the Finance Minister of the country. As the current FM of the country, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman will present this year’s Union Budget.

The budget can have a large impact for individuals and businesses in multiple ways.

For Individuals – Changes in taxation on income, investments, and expenses, social welfare, infra development, employment and job creation.

For Businesses – Changes in corporate taxation, infra development, sector-specific incentives or subsidies, and regulatory changes.

Furthermore, there are a few common impact areas such as impact on inflation, GDP growth, changes to interest rates, and currency fluctuations.

The Union Budget outlines the trajectory of the larger economy, which also heavily impacts investor sentiment, and by extension, the stock market as well. There are a variety of ways a budget can impact the stock market, here’s an article that summarises how a budget can impact the stock market

In simple words, a government budget is a comprehensive financial plan that outlines the projection of the central/state government’s revenue (like corporate tax, income tax) and expenditure (like healthcare spending, education spending, social benefits) for a financial year. The government implements its economic policy through the budget.

And while the Union Budget is also a type of government budget, a government budget is a more generic term, which may also be used to describe a budget prepared by a local or State Government. However, the Union Budget is only prepared by the Central Government.

An economic survey is a detailed document that reviews a country’s economic performance over a specific period, usually a financial year. In addition to assessing a country’s economic performance, an economic survey also helps:

  • Identify economic challenges and opportunities
  • Inform policy decisions
  • Provide a macroeconomic overview
  • Offer a sectoral analysis for various sectors

The Finance Bill is a part of the Union Budget that outlines the government’s financial policy on key fronts such as taxation, revenue generation, fiscal policy, social welfare allocation, and broader economic reforms.

R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, who presented independent India’s first ever budget (on 26th November 1947), is known as the Father of the Union Budget. He served as India’s first finance minister.

As per Article 77(3), the Finance Minister is responsible to prepare and present the annual financial statement, which is commonly known as the Budget.

R.K. Shanmukham Chetty - who served as independent India’s first finance minister – presented India’s first ever Union Budget on 26th November 1947, shortly after it gained independence.

As far as budget speeches are concerned, the Union Budget speech of 2020, presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, holds the record for being the longest budget speech on record. The marathon speech lasted for 2 hours and 42 minutes.

But when it comes to the longest budget speech in terms of word count, that record is currently held by Dr. Manmohan Singh, who presented the epochal 1991 Budget speech, which had a word count of a whopping 18,650 words.

The Finance Minister presents the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.

A total of 87 Budgets have been presented thus far, of which 73 have been full budgets while 14 have been interim budgets.

The Union Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha.

The current Finance Minister of India is Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman. She assumed office in May 2019, succeeding Mr. Arun Jaitley.

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