View: It’s a budget that drives country forward with a purpose

The budget focuses on inclusive development driven by consumption, investment, simplification, and innovation. Key measures include increased disposable income, support for agriculture, infrastructure development, reduced regulations, and fostering technology and education. These initiatives aim to propel economic growth and position India for long-term prosperity.

View: Budget 2025, a much-needed shot of growth hormones

The budget promotes key sectors including healthcare, R&D, skilling, MSMEs, and startups, laying groundwork for economic growth. Key measures involve exempting customs duty on life-saving drugs, investment in private-sector R&D, and financial support for startups. Concerns arise about healthcare spending targets, yet advancements in insurance and regulatory reforms aim to enhance accessibility and affordability.

Budget 2025: GoI puts its heart (on households) where spending should be

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech introduced significant changes in income tax slabs to boost consumption demand. The strategy aims to foster economic growth without compromising fiscal discipline. The focus is on job-intensive growth through MSMEs, although concerns about primary education and disinvestment remain.

Boost in urban infrastructure: HUA ministry allocated Rs 96,777 cr in Budget 2025-26

The Indian government increases the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry’s budget allocation by 18% to Rs 96,777 crore for FY 2025-26. Key initiatives include an Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore, enhanced loans under the PM SVANidhi scheme, and substantial provisions for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Urban Rejuvenation Mission.

Govt to focus on reducing debt-GDP ratio to about 50% by FY31

The government is set to reduce the debt-GDP ratio to 50 per cent by March 2031 from the current 57.1 per cent, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlining a plan to lower the fiscal deficit to 4.4 per cent of GDP by FY26. This new roadmap aims for sustainable and transparent debt management.

Govt to provide access to certain data, maps from PM Gati Shakti portal to pvt sector

The government will provide data and maps from the PM Gati Shakti portal to the private sector, enabling better infrastructure planning and optimization of logistics. This initiative includes a GIS-enabled platform with over 1,300 data layers, aiming to enhance project planning efficiency through improved access to critical information.

Govt to bring out policy to recover critical minerals from by-products of mining: FM

The Indian government will introduce a policy for recovering critical minerals from mining by-products, aiming to boost domestic availability and processing. Import duties on key minerals will be removed to promote manufacturing jobs. Mining reforms will feature in transformative initiatives for various sectors over the next five years.

No immediate upgrade of India’s sovereign rating: Moody’s

Moody’s Ratings has stated that despite India’s efforts to maintain fiscal discipline and reduce the fiscal deficit, these measures are not sufficient for an immediate sovereign rating upgrade. The debt burden and high interest payments remain substantial challenges.