Business Standard - February 02, 2025

In this issue

February 02, 2025

We've responded to the voice of the people:Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister NIRMALA SITHARAMAN, along with her team of top bureaucrats, delved into the fine print of the 2025-26 Budget in a press conference detailing the road map on tax simplification, capex push and more.

3 mins

I-T RELIEF FUELS CONSUMPTION BUDGET

FM focuses on agri, MSMEs, investment, exports; targets FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP

5 mins

Inclusive Budget will create jobs

The Budget is fiscally prudent, prioritises consumption, provides for capex, and focuses on job creation -much needed elements for Viksit Bharat.

1 min

TDS threshold for senior citizens doubled

Along with major relief on personal income tax, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several other changes in direct taxes to provide relief to the common man.

2 mins

Tax-free income limit under new regime rises to 12 lakh

Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday streamlined personal income-tax (I-T) slabs and adjusted tax deducted at source (TDS) limits. The government also plans to introduce a new I-T Bill next week.

2 mins

Is it a step towards 'Nyaya'?

The finance minister (FM) saved the most impactful announcement for last – salary income up to ₹1 lakh per month is now tax-free.

2 mins

A Budget that balances prudence with growth

Budget 2025-26 delivers a carefully calibrated strategy-stimulating demand and investment while keeping fiscal discipline intact.

2 mins

Govt plans to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio to 47.5-52% by FY31

Currently at 57.1%, Budget pegs the ratio at 56.1 per cent for FY26

2 mins

Accelerating Al-driven digital transformation

Budget 2025 lays down a transformational roadmap for India's digital and economic future, focusing on AI-driven enterprise modernisation, workforce skilling, and sustainable innovation.

2 mins

Igniting growth engines for Viksit Bharat

The FY26 Budget has its eyes fixed on Viksit Bharat by 2047. It identifies the key long-term growth levers, structural changes and the actions that the government intends to take.

2 mins

Centre sets capex goal for FY26 at ₹11.21 trn

May miss FY25 target by ₹93,000 cr due to election-year restrictions

1 min

Execution at grassroots key to unlocking India's growth, future

As an entrepreneur, scientist, and agriculturist, I believe a successful grassroots-level implementation of this Budget is essential.

2 mins

Health care gets 9.78% boost, cancer treatment costs to drop

Customs duty exemption for lifesaving drugs, more money for Ayushman Bharat

2 mins

Laying foundations for improved rlys

In the 2025-26 Budget, the Ministry of Finance extended a government budgetary support of ₹2.52 trillion to the Indian Railways which is a generous capex outlay.

2 mins

Fiscal deficit broadly in line with expectations

The Union Budget for FY26 expectedly placed the fiscal deficit for FY25 as per the Revised Estimates (RE) at 4.8 per cent of GDP, marginally lower than the Budget Estimate (BE) of 4.9 per cent of GDP, and in line with our forecast.

1 min

Identifying more assets suitable for monetisation: FM

Based on the positive reception we've had, we are identifying more assets suitable for monetisation.

1 min

A blueprint for Viksit Bharat

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has solved the impossible trinity of the Budget.

2 mins

'Clear & direct': New I-T Bill next week

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced that the government will introduce a new income tax Bill next week to ease compliance burden.

2 mins

New compliance requirements but no tax relief on crypto assets

The government in the Budget announcement has proposed insertion of a new section in the Income-Tax (1-T) Act, 1961, making it obligatory for investors to \"furnish information on crypto asset transactions\".

1 min

Noble intentions, but questions remain

The Budget's goals are ambitious, but allocations to health and education fall short of its Viksit Bharat vision

3 mins

Operationalising the trade route to growth

The Economic Survey, presented in Parliament on Friday, outlined clearly the growth challenges to India becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

3 mins

Betting on the middle class

Budget seeks to revive growth through a consumption stimulus - without derailing the fisc

4 mins

Socialist delivery, a nuclear promise

In one way, the fact that our Budgets year after year tend to be boring—so boring, in fact, as to leave the markets befuddled, not knowing whether to go up or down—is a good thing.

4 mins

Sops Could Reverse Underperformance in Consumer Stocks

The Street had little to complain from the Budget for 2025-26 as its measures to boost consumption and a modest increase in capital expenditure while keeping fiscal deficit in check were broadly in line with expectations.

2 mins

Tax breaks for SWFs in infra extended by 5 yrs

In an effort to attract more global investments, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced an extension of the special tax exemption provided to sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and pension funds investing in infrastructure by another five years.

1 min

Ulip tax confusion sends insurance stocks into tailspin

A slew of announcements for the insurance sector sent stocks in this space into a tailspin.

2 mins

Tax cuts, rural push: Growth recipe for consumer firms

Consumer companies have reason to rejoice. The Budget provides tax relief to the middle class, making income up to ₹12 lakh tax free and putting more money in consumers' hands.

2 mins

Unlocking India's path to a prosperous future with inclusive growth

Amid accentuating global risks, new US tariffs in the White House and deepening uncertainties over tariffs, the Union Budget 2025 takes a balanced and equitable approach to spur the Indian economy.

2 mins

On track to make India future-ready

With an ear to the ground and a finger on the nation's pulse, the government has taken note of the demands and necessities for accelerating India's growth.

2 mins

Enabling 'Heal in India' through equitable health care

The Union Budget 2025-26 outlined five crucial health pillars: preventive care, early detection, low-cost treatment, accessibility, and health tech.

1 min

Capex catalyst for India Inc

With the Union Budget emphasising \"Make in India for the World,\" along with fresh tax incentives for the middle-class and tax reforms, leaders in India Inc are optimistic that these measures will stimulate fresh investments in the private sector.

2 mins

Reforms-based, prudent Budget

India's economic resilience amid an uncertain world order provides a unique opportunity to our nation.

1 min

Finger on the farmer pulse

Credit limit on KCC raised to ₹5 lakh; farm Budget at ₹1.71 trn, 22% more than FY25RE

3 mins

Efforts made to revitalise agri, rural economy

Recent documents by NITI Aayog and periodic labour force surveys on employment show that the importance of agriculture is rising in the Indian economy.

3 mins

Biz as usual for farm, food, petrol subsidies

The Union Budget for 2025-26 (FY26) seems to have assumed a \"business as usual\" approach when it comes to key subsidies for fertilisers, food, and petrol.

1 min

PPP, asset monetisation open door for pvt sector

FM proposes ₹1.5trn outlay for 50-yr interest-free loans to states for capex

2 mins

A pro-growth Budget defined by coherence and consistency

In the shortest Budget presentation speech of her tenure, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman must be given full credit for coherence and consistency.

2 mins

Charging up green energy transition

PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY

1 min

Now, 100% FDI in insurance

Nearly two and a half decades after the liberalisation of Indian insurance, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her eighth Budget speech on Saturday, announced the opening up of the sector to 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI), up from the previous limit of 74 per cent.

3 mins

Money in people's hands, and more

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth Budget speech, her shortest to date, ticked most boxes. She presented a fiscally prudent Budget with consumption at the centre stage, to be driven by the middle class.

3 mins

Budget sets a comprehensive blueprint for India's growth

Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman has presented a forward-looking Budget, reinforcing the government's commitment to 'Reform, Perform, and Transform'.

2 mins

GST Mopup Rises 12% to ₹1.96 Trillion in Jan

Gross goods and services tax (GST) collection rose 12.3 percent to ₹1.96 trillion in January on higher domestic economic activity, government data showed on Saturday.

1 min

Govt to develop top 50 tourist spots, streamline e-visas

The Centre will develop top 50 tourist destination sites in a partnership with states, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing the Union Budget 2025-26 on Saturday.

1 min

A People's Budget, to Lift Consumption & Investment: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the Union Budget as a historic \"people's Budget\", and a \"force multiplier\" that will boost consumption, investment, and growth.

1 min

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