Union Budget 2025: Key Details and Expectations
Union Budget 2025, much-awaited by all, is to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, February 1, 2025. It would be her eighth successive budget and the second full financial budget under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its third term. The budget is to be paperless as this is the continuation of the digital-first approach since 2021.
What is Union Budget?
The Union Budget is the yearly statement of finances of the government where proposed expenditure and revenues of the next financial year, as arranged from April 1 to March 31 are presented. Starting from 2019, all the important policies on the country's economy, fiscal, and spending have all been brought into one single paper, called "bahi-khata."
When and Where to Watch Union Budget 2025
The budget presentation begins at 11 a.m. in Lok Sabha. People can catch the live telecast through official channels of Parliament, Doordarshan, and Sansad TV. Apart from that, government YouTube channels and news sites such as Livemint.com are offering full coverage of the speech through live updates and comprehensive analysis.
The budget documents will be available in digital form on the official portal of the Union government, www.indiabudget.gov.in, and also through the Union Budget Mobile App. Both Hindi and English will be used for broader accessibility.
The Tradition of the Halwa Ceremony
Another notable tradition in the run-up to the budget presentation is the Halwa Ceremony, which dates back to the 1980s. This tradition primarily symbolizes that the budget documents have been finalized and that the Finance Minister and other officials have participated in the preparation process.
Market and Economic Context
It offers a budget at a time when the outlook for Indian stock markets is cautiously optimistic. A research agency, Emkay Global, predicts a long-term upside of 8% in Nifty's index even as short-term vulnerabilities of FPI selling and weak earning support persist. The Nifty 50 had one more day of losses on January 27, 2025, with the index losing 0.49 per cent and the BSE Sensex shedding 0.43 per cent. Other major midcap and small-cap indices also saw big losses, indicating a general pressure from the markets. Emkay Global feels the government would look for fiscal consolidation by balancing the growth trade-offs. There may also be an agenda that includes agriculture as it is seen to witness investment in high-yielding and climate-resilient seeds. Changes and Innovations in the Budget Process
The budgetary process for Modi has been experiencing reforms over the years. The recent major changes are as follows:
Rail Budget merged with the General Budget in 2017.
Increase date for Budget Presentation to Feb 1st.
Implement budget presentation on a paperless form from 2021 onwards.
Union Budget 2025: Here is what Expectations Are.
Feb 1 shall throw open some important announcements. In general terms, it should come through with these schemes in expectation such as:, Reforms at income tax level as well on GST tax slabs. Welfare programs based upon Healthcare, educational sector and villages developmental. Increased Infrastructure, agricultural setup, and Climate-resistant planning. Digital Accessibility: Continuation of efforts to improve access to government services through technology. Conclusion
The Union Budget 2025 is expected to be an important financial road map for India's future, focusing on both economic challenges and opportunities. The focus on fiscal consolidation, innovation, and growth would be the basis of the announcements on February 1, providing key insights into the government's priorities for the next fiscal year. www.knowledgeworld.com and other platforms will be providing live updates and detailed analyses on the implications of the budget for various sectors and stakeholders.
