LIVE Blog: Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2025

No income tax upto Rs. 12 lakh under new regime, says FM

No income tax payable for upto to Rs 12 lakh under new regime, says FM, adding that middle class provides strength for India's growth with admirable energy. In recognition of the contribution we have reduced tax burden.

TDS and TCS to be rationalised, says FM

A new Income Tax Bill will be introduced next week, says the FM

A new Income Tax Bill will be introduced next week, says the FM, adding that the new Income Tax Bill will simplify the current Income Tax law and make it comprehensible for the general public. 

36 life-saving drugs will be made fully exempted from basic duties, says FM. 5 percent duty on six life saving drugs.

10,000 fellowships to be provided under the PM Research Fellowship scheme in next five years, for technological research in IITs and IISc

Top 50 tourist destination sites in the country to be developed in partnership with states through a challenge mode

Fiscal deficit for 2024-25 at 4.8 percent. FM proposes to remove 7 tariff rates. There will be only eight remaining tariff rates. Exemption of social welfare surcharge announced.

India Post with 1.5 lakh rural post offices, complemented by the India Posts Payment Bank, will be repositioned to act as a catalyst for the rural economy

FM announces nuclear energy mission for Viksit Bharat eying 100 GW of nuclear energy

'Heal in India' campaign will be launched to promote medical tourism.

FM announces a national geo spatial mission to develop spatial data to modernize land records.

Export promotion mission to be set up.

Greenfield airports to be facilitated in Bihar

More refined Udaan regional connectivity scheme to be launched: FM

More refined Udaan regional connectivity scheme to be launched to fly four crore additional air passengers in next ten years connecting 120 new destinations.

Shipbuilding financial assistance policy will be revamped. Credit notes for ship breaking in Indian yards.

Ship building clusters will be facilitated

Maritime development fund with a corpus of 25,000 core will be set up to promote competition..

Makhana board in Bihar to be created to help in improving production, processing and marketing.

Healthcare for gig workers announced for FM

Govt announces centre for excellence in AI

10,000 seats will be added to medical colleges.

75,000 seats to be added in medical colleges in five years, says FM.

Additional infrastructure in five IITs. IIT Patna to be expanded.

50,000 Atal Tinkering labs will be set up in government schools in the next five years. Broadband connectivity to be provided to all government secondary schools and primary centres in all rural areas

FM says an Institute will be set up in Bihar for food processing

FM announces term loan of Rs 2 crore for women who are first-time entrepreneurs from SC/ST, backward classes

Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana will focus on 100 low productivity districts

Customised credit cards for MSMEs which is the second engine of growth

Kisan credit card loans to be enhanced, says Sitharaman

Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies: Sitharaman

Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. Our development track record of the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period. We see the next five years as a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, stimulating balanced growth of all regions.

Sitharaman: Govt announces five year mission for cotton productivity

Sitharaman: Govt to focus on rural prosperity covering development of 100 agri districts aiming to help 1.7 crore farmers

Sitharaman: Govt to launch 6-year Atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) in pulses

Nirmala Sitharaman starts presenting Budget 2025

Cabinet meeting has started

Cabinet meeting to begin shortly

The union cabinet meeting ahead of the presentationf of the budget is set to begin shortly. 

Sitharaman calls on president Droupadi Murmu

Nirmala Sitharaman, her junior minister and other finance minsitry officials called on president Droupadi Murmu as per traditions. 

Sitharaman leaves from Ministry of Finance with 'Bahi Khata'

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves from the Ministry of Finance with the 'Bahi Khata' ahead of the presentation of the budget.