Page 4 - Budget And Economy

Economic Survey FY25 warns of energy risks amid India's green transition

Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, in the survey's preface, emphasised the need for "strategic thinking" to avoid geopolitical risks

What Indian Railways achieved in FY25? Economic Survey sheds light

Between April and October 2024, Indian Railways launched 17 new pairs of Vande Bharat trains and manufactured 228 new coaches, keeping pace with last year's expansion

Economic Survey 2025 suggests deregulation as a trigger for higher growth

We broadly concur with the Survey's assessment of a pick-up in rural demand on the back of improved crop output, disinflation, and an uptick in domestic investment activity

Budget 2025: PM Modi hints at new measures for women, poor, middle class

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hinted at new initiatives for the poor and middle class as well as women as he laid out his government's vision a day before the Union Budget is presented in Parliament. Modi began his customary pre-session remarks to the media by invoking Lakshmi, the goddess associated with wealth and prosperity, and said he prayed for special blessings for the poor and middle class. Stressing the importance of ensuring equal rights for women free from religious and sectarian differences, he asserted that significant decisions towards the goal will be taken during the Budget Session, which started from Friday. He emphasised the importance of establishing the dignity of women, who have been at the centre of the ruling BJP's welfare measures. Modi said several historic bills and proposals will be discussed in this session, leading to laws that will strengthen the nation. President Droupadi Murmu in her address to the joint sitting of Parliament also underscor

Economic Survey 2024-25: Key highlights and challenges the CEA presents

India's economy is expected to grow between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent in FY26. Chief Economic Adviser believes India is on a steady growth path while globalisation is slowing down

Congress says Modi govt leading India into 'middle-income trap': What is it?

In its Real State of the Economy report, Congress has accused the Centre of steering India toward a 'middle-income trap.' Here's what it means

Union Budget session 2025 highlights: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey

Budget session latest highlights: Finance Minister Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey today ahead of the presentation of the Budget. Catch the latest developments related to Union Budget here

Economic Survey 2025: Inflation stays high as food prices defy global dip

The Economic Survey, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, said food inflation surpassed 8 per cent at several points in FY25 (April-December) due to supply disruptions

President Murmu opens Budget session 2025: Housing, healthcare, AI in focus

The President also offered condolences to those who lost their lives in the Kumbh Mela stampede at Prayagraj

Markets Today: Economic Survey, US GDP; Nestle, ONGC, Q3; Dr. Agarwal's IPO

Back home, at 6:40 AM, GIFT Nifty futures indicated a strong start, up 71 points at 23,489

Wishlist for Budget 2025: Strengthening foundations for sustained growth

The Union Budget 2025 will be presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a 'red bahikhata' on Saturday, 1st February

Budget may project 20% capex growth, 4.4% fiscal deficit: EY report

The FY26 Budget may project a 20 per cent increase in capex spending to drive economic activity, leave more disposable income in the hands of people and target a fiscal deficit of 4.4 per cent of GDP for the fiscal ending March 2026, a EY report said on Thursday. EY India Chief Policy Advisor DK Srivastava said amid continuing global uncertainties, India may have to rely largely on domestic demand drivers to support the growth momentum. "The FY26 budget should therefore restore the momentum of growth in GoI's capital expenditure. This may be supplemented by some rate rationalisation and income tax deductions aimed at increasing personal disposable incomes, particularly in the hands of lower income and lower middle-income groups," he said. The upcoming budget must balance fiscal prudence with growth-oriented measures. Increasing capital expenditure and putting more disposable income in the hands of consumers, particularly urban consumers, will be pivotal to uplifting growth in domes

Union Budget 2025 Expectations highlights: MSMEs seek focus on renewable energy, and CBG

Union Budget 2025 Latest Updates: Catch all the latest developments related to Union Budget 2025 here

Union Budget 2025 expectations highlights: Will Budget 2025 raise tax deductions for homebuyers?

Union Budget 2025 Latest Updates: Catch all the latest developments related to Union Budget 2025 here

Budget expectations highlights: Budget should focus on boosting consumption, say industry insiders

Union Budget 2025 Latest Updates: Catch all the latest developments related to Union Budget 2025 here

Support for green tech, consumer spending boost: Automakers' Budget list

Automakers want the government to provide merit-based policies to support a full range of green technologies and alternative fuels besides allocations to facilitate electric vehicle ecosystem like charging infrastructure to further accelerate sustainable mobility in the upcoming Union Budget. With the automobile industry showing early signs of growth slowing down, they said budgetary initiatives to boost the disposable income of consumers are necessary to support robust growth. "We request the government for appropriate merit-based policies that support and help in popularising full range of greener technologies and alternative fuels thereby helping in faster and greater adoption of multiple sustainable mobility solutions," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Country Head and Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs and Governance - Vikram Gulati said. Further, he said measures to encourage the scrapping of old vehicles through the budget will also boost demand for newer generation vehicles

Budget 2025: Insurers seek tax benefits, concessions for healthcare

Insurers are hopeful of a host of tax benefits, including concessions for the insurance and healthcare sectors, from the Union Budget 2025-26 to be unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. SBI General Insurance MD and CEO Naveen Chandra Jha said that as India advances toward financial inclusivity and universal healthcare, the upcoming Budget is expected to further strengthen the healthinsurance sector. Initiatives like Bima Sugam, designed to achieve the goal of 'Insurance for All' by 2047, are expected to receive regulatory and fiscal support to address the protection gap, he noted. "Additionally, the budget is likely to focus on expanding access in underserved regions through government-private partnerships, targeted subsidies, and advancements in digital infrastructure," Jha added. Bajaj Allianz Life MD and CEO Tarun Chugh said India's economic growth presents immense opportunities for the insurance sector to enhance financial resilience. "Aligning tax ...

What products and services may see their prices change in Budget 2025?

The Finance Minister is expected to prioritise economic growth, domestic manufacturing, and offer relief to consumers in the upcoming budget to address inflation, fiscal consolidation, and job creatio

Industries across fields expect host of measures in Budget to propel growth

With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman preparing to present the first full Budget of the Modi 3.0 government, industry players from various fields have put forth their demands for raising income tax limits, taking measures for more job creation, and further improving doing business to propel growth. The industry is hopeful that the government will announce a slew of measures to boost consumption by ensuring more money in the hands of people, boosting capital expenditure, giving relief to the housing sector and technological innovations. Moin Ladha, Partner at Khaitan & Co, opined that with the Union Budget 2025 fast approaching, the industry as a whole is confident of some interesting changes to the regulatory landscape, particularly changes to foreign investment policy, streamlined compliance, and key policy changes in certain sectors. One such key change that the Budget 2025 may bring is the introduction of 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, .

Budget must give tax cuts for individuals to boost consumption: Barclays

The government in FY26 Budget should announce an "effective" personal income tax cut to support consumption and demand, Barclays said on Thursday. In its FY25-26 Union Budget preview, Barclays said the key ask from the Budget, to be presented on February 1, is to support growth while adhering to fiscal consolidation path. Barclays, India Chief Economist, Aastha Gudwani said in a quest to support consumption, the finance minister should provide an effective personal income tax rate cut by further tweaking the tax slabs. This is unlikely to have a sizable fiscal cost. "That said, improved tax buoyancy will likely make up for revenue foregone under this announcement. We think a boost to consumption is needed, especially with private investment also now awaiting the increase in demand growth," Gudwani said. Barclays expects Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to announce changes to the new tax regime, making it lucrative for more and more taxpayers. In the last Budget, the government