Nirmala Sitharaman

February 1, 2025 3:16 PM

Union Budget 2025: FM Sitharaman announces duty revisions, goods to get cheaper and costlier

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, introduced a series of adjustments to basic customs duties (BCD) aimed at supporting domestic manufacturing, boosting exports, and easing costs for critical goods. The changes are expected to influence the prices of various products, with some becoming cheaper while others see price hikes. Relief for Patients To provide relief for patients with cancer, rare diseases, and other severe chronic conditions, the gover...

February 1, 2025 2:26 PM

Union Budget 2025-26: FM Sitharaman unveils modified UDAN scheme, boosts regional connectivity

In her presentation of the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant push toward enhancing regional connectivity with the launch of a Modified UDAN scheme. The initiative will bring 120 new destinations into the network and facilitate travel for an additional 4 crore passengers over the next decade. The scheme prioritizes the development of helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and northeastern districts to improve access to remote regions...

February 1, 2025 1:56 PM

Next five years a unique opportunity for ‘sabka vikas’: FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2025, highlighted the government's vision for the next five years as a transformative period to realize "Sabka Vikas" and foster balanced regional growth. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman emphasized India's robust economic progress and global recognition over the past decade. "Our economy is the fastest growing among all major economies. Structural reforms and our development track record over the last 10 years have draw...

February 1, 2025 1:22 PM

Budget 2025: FM proposes ID cards for gig workers, UPI-linked credit cards for street vendors

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her Budget 2025 presentation, announced a range of initiatives aimed at empowering gig workers and street vendors, signaling a continued push toward inclusive development. In a landmark move, the government will issue ID cards to gig workers, granting them access to healthcare and other social security benefits through a newly proposed welfare scheme. The initiative aims to support urban and online platform workers by providing identity cards and faci...

February 1, 2025 12:41 PM

Budget 2025-26: FM Sitharaman announces measures to make India a global toy hub

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the eighth consecutive Budget of the NDA government, outlined a blueprint for a 'Viksit Bharat' and made key announcements focused primarily on four segments — women, youth, farmers, and the poor. The Finance Minister announced the implementation of schemes to facilitate and scale up toy manufacturing, thereby giving a boost to the 'Make in India' campaign. She also revealed plans to establish a toy manufacturing ecosystem and clusters ai...

February 1, 2025 12:19 PM

FM announces PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, to benefit 1.7 crore farmers

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the launch of the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, aimed at benefiting 1.7 crore farmers across the country. The scheme is designed to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, strengthen post-harvest storage at panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation infrastructure, and increase the availability of both short and long-term credit for farmers. “PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana will benefit 1.7 crore farmer...

February 1, 2025 11:51 AM

Union Budget 2025-26 unveiled: Focus on growth, inclusive development, and economic strengthening

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday presented the Union Budget 2025-26, laying out a strategic framework aimed at accelerating economic growth, promoting inclusive development, and strengthening India’s position as a global economic leader. The budget also emphasized uplifting household sentiment and enhancing the purchasing power of the country's rising middle class. Sitharaman asserted that the government's efforts are centered on creating a balanced path toward prosperity, sayi...

February 1, 2025 11:33 AM

India world’s fastest growing economy on way to become Viksit Bharat: FM Sitharaman

India is the world's fastest-growing economy, and the government will ensure tremendous growth in coming years across the spectrum on the way to becoming "Viksit Bharat", Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. Presenting her eighth consecutive budget and the NDA government's second full Union Budget of its third term, the Finance Minister said the Budget focuses on spurring agricultural growth, empowering farmers, supporting MSMEs and ensuring innovation while promoting exp...

February 1, 2025 11:14 AM

Union Cabinet approves Union Budget 2025-26

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Saturday, just ahead of its presentation in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Before the crucial meeting, senior leaders, including Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Pralhad Joshi, arrived at the Parliament. Union Minister Shekhawat highlighted the significance of the budget, saying, "The budget will ensure continuity and pr...

February 1, 2025 9:38 AM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at North Block to present Union Budget 2025

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the North Block on Saturday, ahead of presenting the much-anticipated Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha. This marks Sitharaman's historic eighth consecutive budget presentation, surpassing former Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s record. The Finance Minister is set to deliver her speech at 11 a.m., outlining the government’s fiscal roadmap, revenue strategies, taxation reforms, and developmental priorities. The Ec...