FM Sitharaman says, national institute of food tech to be established in Bihar to support entrepreneur, development and to enhance farmer income.

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu feeds Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the customary 'dahi-cheeni' (curd and sugar) ahead of her Budget presentation.

The President has given her nod for the Budget document and the Cabinet will meet soon to also approve the FM SItharaman's eighth consecutive Budget.

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: This Budget 2025 is important for the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government as it is the second full Budget without a parliamentary majority for the BJP.

The government has faced backlash for its rollback of key tax proposals such as the withdrawal of indexation benefits on long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax from the sale of unlisted assets.

Political tensions are also high due to recent tragedies like the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 stampede and economic uncertainties.

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said: “Budget has an intent, content - it both make the extent of the budget."

He added that he doesn't have much expectations for big announcements in the Budget or that it will encourage private investment, adding, “… Let's see if there will be some tax relaxation for the middle class or not. Also, we need to see if the investors get some relaxation from the ‘tax terrorism’. We have demanded some reforms in GST. Modi 3.0 is being discussed all over the world, let's see when GST 2.0 comes."

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: "As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the real estate sector is optimistic about measures to reduce construction costs and enhance affordability. A reduction in GST on cement and allowing input tax credits for under-construction properties would drive growth. Increasing the home loan tax exemption limit would benefit middle-income buyers, especially with rising urban housing prices. Infrastructure investments remain a priority, and enhanced connectivity in smaller cities could unlock new development opportunities. These measures would strengthen the sector and support sustainable growth."

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Hemant Jain told ANI that growth has fallen over the last couple of years, adding that the Budget needs to ensure this is tackled.

"This will happen by giving more money in the hands of the people and also improving the ease of doing business. We expect that income tax will be improved in favour of the middle class and investments will be increased in infrastructure and manufacturing sector..." he said.

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: Ajay Menon, MD & CEO of Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL), indicates that upcoming events, including the Union Budget 2025, will influence market sentiment. He notes a cautious outlook for the Indian stock market due to subdued earnings and FII selling.

In an interview with Mint, he said the Union Budget 2025 will offer important signals to the market. Income tax reforms and increased infrastructure funding will likely boost market sentiment.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: FM Sitharaman says, “Urea Plant to be set up in Assam to further augment urea supply"

• Plant with annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons to be set up at Namrup, Assam

• 3 dormant urea plants in the Eastern region had been reopened

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: Government to provide support to National Cooperatives Development Corporations (NCDCs) for its lending operations for cooperative sector.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman proposes to transform India Post into a large logistical organisation

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: FM Sitharaman says, “In this Budget, the proposed development measures span 10 broad areas, focussing on the poor, youth, farmers and women."

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: The FM says that the Idnian economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. “We see the next five years as a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, stimulating balanced growth of all regions", says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: FM  Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the limit under Kisan Credit Card would be enhanced to ₹5 lakh from ₹3 lakh to further flow of credit to farmers.

In addition to enhancing the credit limit for MSMEs, the FM also announced a new scheme of ₹5 lakh for women, the Scheduled Cast, and the Scheduled Tribe.

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programs will provide vital nutritional support to 8 crore children, 1 crore mothers, and 20 lakh adolescent girls, focusing on lactating women, adolescent girls, and children.

A new manufacturing mission under the Make in India initiative will support small, medium, and large industries through comprehensive policy backing and a detailed framework. The mission aims to create an ecosystem for solar PV cells, electrolysers, and grid-scale batteries.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced a fresh contribution of an additional ₹ 10,000 crore, in addition to existing government contribution of Rs. 10,000 crore for startups.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: For the toys sector, the government will implement a scheme to make India a global manufacturing hub.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: A new scheme has been launched to offer term loans with a five-year tenure, benefiting 5 lakh women from SC/ST communities.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: Dhan Dhaniya Krishi Yojna in partnership with states to cover 100 districts with low productivity will help 1.7 cr farmers to build rural prosperity, says the FM. She also said the Yojana will generate ample opportunities in rural areas to make migration an option,  and not necessity, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: New Fund of Funds (FoF) with fresh expanded scope & fresh contribution of ₹10,000 crore to be set up. FoF for startups received commitments for over ₹9 lakh crore.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: Additional infrastructure will be increased in the IITs established after 2014, said the FM. She also said that IIT Patna would be expanded

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: The Finance Minister announced a dedicated scheme for India’s footwear and leather sector, expected to generate employment for 22 lakh individuals, achieve a revenue of ₹4 lakh crore, and boost exports to over ₹1.1 lakh crore.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: FM  Nirmala Sitharaman announced that broadband connectivity would be expanded to all government secondary schools and primary health centres in rural areas.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: India Post is set to be transformed into a major public logistics organisation. With the support of India Post Payments Bank and 2.4 lakh dak sevaks, it aims to become a catalyst for rural logistics and development.

Budget 2025 Speech LIVE: FM Sitharaman says, "The investment and turnover limits for classification of all MSMEs will be enhanced to 2.5 and 2 times respectively. This will give them the confidence to grow and generate employment for our youth."

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced zero income tax on income up to ₹12 lakh income under the new tax regime

Here are the following tax slabs and rates:
₹0-4 lakh - Nil

₹4-5 lakh - 5%

₹8-12 lakh - 10%

₹12-16 lakh - 15%

₹16- ₹20 lakh - 20%

₹20-24 lakh - 25%

Above ₹24 lakh -  30%

HUL, Godrej CP, Trent, Voltas, ITC, DMart shares rise after FM says No income tax payable for those with income up to ₹12 lakh under the new tax regime.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of Makhana Board in Bihar to improve processing, and enable value addition.

Here are some of the key-takeaways from FM Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech:

1) Fiscal deficit: The fiscal deficit for FY25 is set at 4.8%, while the estimated fiscal deficit for FY26 stands at 4.4%.

2) On Jan Vishwas Bill: Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 to be introduced to decriminalise over 100 provisions. Investment friendly index of States to be launched in 2025.

3) Revised tariff rates: Propose removal of 7 tariff rates over an above those in removed in earlier budget. Only 8 tariff rates to remain after the new move.

4) FM announced an outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore for 50-year interest free loans to states for capex and infrastructure.

5) FM announced that 36 live savings drugs and medicines fully exempted from basic customs duty.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman decided to fully exempt the basic customs duty on Wet Blue Leather. India aims to help imports for domestic value addition and employment.