Page 24 - Union Budget

Eco Survey asks financial regulators to balance stability, innovation

Financial sector regulators need to maintain an optimal balance between the stability and innovation to foster financial inclusion, said Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled in Parliament on Friday. The financial sector is primarily governed through independent regulatory bodies (IRBs) RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA and IBBI -- with FSDC having a broader financial stability mandate, enabling inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development, the survey said. Each IRB varies in design, the nature of delegated functions, and the degree of autonomy, which are unique to the socio-political context of its evolution and the regulated domain, it said. "Regulation in the financial sector must strike an optimal balance between the imperative of stability and the goals of fostering innovation, efficiency, and competition. Given the country's low financial literacy and lower-middle-income status, ensuring stability is essential to prevent systemic risks and protect consumers," it ..

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

Air connectivity improved considerably with new airports, UDAN: Eco Survey

Air connectivity in the country has improved considerably with new airports and regional air connectivity scheme, the Economic Survey said on Friday and highlighted that airport developers and operators have achieved 91 per cent of the Rs 91,000-crore capital expenditure envisaged for the FY20-FY25 period. "India is the fastest-growing aviation market globally. To accommodate the substantial growth in air traffic, Indian airlines have placed amongst the largest orders for aircraft globally," the Survey for 2024-25 tabled in the Parliament said. Domestic airlines have ordered more than 1,700 planes as they look to expand their networks amid rising air traffic demand. In the sphere of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry, the Survey said the government is encouraging original equipment manufacturers to establish facilities in India and has introduced policies to align the sector with global standards. "New airports and improved regional connectivity under the Ude Desh

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

5G rollout, regulatory reforms boosting digital connectivity: Eco Survey

The rollout of 5G services in most districts along with regulatory reforms directed at improving telecom infrastructure and user experience has boosted digital connectivity in India, the Economic Survey 2024-25 has noted. The document tabled in Parliament on Friday stated that telecom infrastructure in India is being significantly improved through the BharatNet Project, which aims to extend broadband access to rural areas, including villages, and enhance mobile coverage in regions such as the North-East, border areas, and islands. "Digital connectivity has made major advancements in digital inclusion, technological innovation, and regulatory reforms this fiscal year, all in line with the government's vision for a Digital India. "The rollout of 5G services, along with the introduction of new policies aimed at enhancing telecommunications infrastructure and user experience, has played a crucial role in digital connectivity," the pre-budget document said, noting that currently, 5G ...

IPO fund raise between April-Dec 2024 at Rs 11.1 trn: Economic Survey 2025

Economic Survey 2025: India's share in global IPO listings, meanwhile, surged to 30 per cent in 2024, up from 17 per cent in 2023

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

Eco Survey: Amid rising 'protectionism', India needs new strategic roadmap

The Survey also suggested that India should shift focus from merely wooing FDI to making itself more attractive for foreign investors through structural improvements.

Eco Survey cautions against shutting down thermal energy sans alternatives

Bats for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) power plants, carbon capture technology

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

May Goddess Lakshmi bless poor, middle-class: PM Modi ahead of Union Budget 2025

PM Modi on Friday expressed confidence that the Union Budget 2025 will give new energy to India's economy, saying he would "pray to Goddess Lakshmi" for the poor and middle class of the country.

India needs 7.8 mn non-farm jobs yearly to sustain growth: Economic Survey

Economic Survey 2025: India's unemployment rate for those 15+ fell from 6% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24; urban joblessness dropped from 6.6% in Q2FY24 to 6.4% in Q2FY25

Today's youth will reap the benefits of Viksit Bharat in the future: PM Modi

Ahead of the Union Budget, PM Modi while speaking to reporters outside Parliament premises said, "those who are 20-25 years old when they become 45-50 they will reap the benefits of Viksit Bharat."

Income tax relief, capex: Budget 2025 wishlist from Motilal Oswal Sec

Indirect tax relief, interest-free capex loans, household income boost, among 5 key expectations from Motilal Oswal for Budget 2025

Finance, Waqf Amendment Act among 16 bills to be tabled in Budget session

Budget session: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present Union Budget 2025 on February 1

Growth, reforms and fiscal discipline: What will Union Budget 2025 have in store?

In this special podcast we discuss the pulse of the Indian economy and uncover what will the Union Budget 2025 have in store

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

Back to business: Govt lines up key Bills as Budget Session begins today

The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabling the Economic Survey 2024-25

Budget: Govt faces choice between economic stimulus and structural reforms

The former could take the form of a tax cut, while the latter could involve a stimulus targeted at specific segments of the economy, particularly those linked to employment generation

FM Nirmala Sitharaman set to present her 8th consecutive Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, set to make history with her eighth consecutive Union Budget, has worked tirelessly with key officials, including Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, to prepare a budget of over Rs 50 lakh crore for FY26. The Budget will have to address several challenges, including decelerating economic growth, falling value of Rupee against the US dollar and moderation in consumption demand. The economic growth is estimated to slow to a 4-year low of 6.4 per cent in FY25. This is the lowest growth since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic which hit the world in 2019. Sitharaman, who had steered the Indian economy through many difficult phases, including once-in-a-century pandemic, is again confronted with economic deceleration, moderation in consumption, stagnant private investment, and an uncertain geopolitical situation. On account of various factors, the rupee plunged to an all-time low of 86.7 per US dollar earlier this month. The team, assisting the Fin