Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2025, marking her record eighth consecutive budget. This year’s budget is expected to focus on easing the financial strain on the middle class, which is dealing with high prices and stagnant wages, all while being careful with the country’s finances.
According to the Economic Survey presented on Friday, India’s economy is expected to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26. While there is a need for structural reforms and deregulation to support long-term growth, investment is expected to increase in the coming year.
Ahead of the budget, President Droupadi Murmu addressed Parliament, highlighting that the government has worked hard to move the economy past the “policy paralysis” caused by challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and global uncertainties from the ongoing war.
During the Budget Session, 16 important bills will be tabled, including the Finance Bill 2025, amendments to the Waqf and Banking Regulations Acts, and the merging of the Indian Railways and Indian Railways Board Acts.
This year’s Budget 2025 is expected to focus on tax reforms, housing benefits, incentives for the automobile sector, healthcare advancements, and fintech growth. Additionally, the government is likely to address concerns surrounding Securities Transaction Tax (STT) to boost stock market participation and ease the compliance burden on businesses. The stock market is also expected to react following the budget announcement.
With the budget announcement just hours away, leaders in the energy sector are urging the government to increase investment in renewable energy, support domestic manufacturing, provide financial support, and rationalise the tax structure. Market leaders across the energy spectrum are calling on the government to prioritise investments in solar, wind, green hydrogen, energy storage solutions, and grid modernisation in the upcoming budget.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the Union Budget, where the Ground Report team will provide a special report focusing on the environmental impact of the budget decisions.
