Nirmala Sitharaman

January 31, 2025 9:33 PM

Stage set for FM Sitharaman to present Budget 2025-26 tomorrow

The unveiling of the Economic Survey on Friday sets the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday (February 1), which is expected to continue the government's policy of giving a big push to economic growth with equity. The government has prioritised improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure equitable and inclusive development, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The survey highlights financial inclusion as...

January 31, 2025 6:53 PM

Improving mental health crucial for India’s future workforce, says Economic Survey 2025

The Economic Survey 2024-25, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, examines the connection between mental health and the country’s economic future. It discusses how mental well-being plays a key role in overcoming challenges and maintaining productivity. The survey defines mental well-being as encompassing emotional, social, cognitive, and physical health, all of which contribute to overall health. The survey identifies lifestyle choices, workplace culture, and family dynami...

January 31, 2025 6:18 PM

From 23.7% to 28.4%: India’s rising higher education enrolment

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2024-25 in Parliament. The Survey states that education and human capital development are central to national progress, with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) based on this principle. India's school education system serves 24.8 crore students across 14.72 lakh schools with 98 lakh teachers, according to UDISE+ 2023-24. Government schools make up 69 percent of the total, enrolling 50 percent ...

January 31, 2025 5:10 PM

India needs 8% growth to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047: Economic Survey

India must sustain an average growth rate of 8% over the next two decades to realize its ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The report underscores that this growth target is crucial for achieving the nation's vision of "Viksit Bharat" as it marks its centenary of independence. However, it cautions that global political and economic factors will inevitably influence India’s growt...

January 31, 2025 4:04 PM

Govt bullish on creating robust infra, private sector must reciprocate too: Economic Survey

The government has laid a special focus on infrastructure -- physical, digital and social -- in the last five years and those efforts would need to be supplemented with wholehearted acceptance of the need for public-private partnerships in infrastructure across the country, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said on Friday. Tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Survey said equally important is that "the private sector must also reciprocate". " While estimates of the req...

January 31, 2025 2:48 PM

Union Budget 2025-26: Fiscal consolidation, infrastructure spending, and sector-specific incentives in focus

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2025-26 on Saturday, key areas of focus are expected to include fiscal consolidation, infrastructure spending, and sector-specific incentives, according to leading global brokerages and financial institutions. Jefferies predicts that income tax cuts could boost consumer discretionary spending, while welfare scheme expansions may help drive rural recovery. The brokerage also highlighted potential positive developments fo...

December 16, 2024 2:17 PM

“Amendments brought to protect those in power”: Nirmala Sitharaman targets Nehru, Indira during Rajya Sabha debate on Constitution

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a sharp critique of former Congress leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi during a debate in the upper house on the Constitution on Monday, accusing them of introducing constitutional amendments aimed at protecting the interests of those in power, rather than strengthening democracy. Sitharaman said that after World War II, more than 50 countries gained independence and drafted their constitutions, many of which underwent significant changes ove...

December 16, 2024 12:53 PM

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accorded ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, marking the second day of his state visit to India. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Dissanayake at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Sri Lankan leader inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the combined defence services during the reception. As part of the formalities, President Murmu and President Dissanayake ...

December 2, 2024 10:14 PM

BJP appoints Vijay Rupani, Nirmala Sitharaman as central observers for Maharashtra

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the party's Central Observers for Maharashtra. Despite the Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, over a week has passed without the announcement of the next Chief Minister. On Sunday, Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde stated that the decision on the Chief Minister's post rests with the BJP, ...

November 25, 2024 8:59 AM

Nirmala Sitharaman to move bills to amend banking laws in the Parliament Winter Session today

As the Winter Session of Parliament is convening today (Monday), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move several Bills, including The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill which aims to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, in addition to the Banking Regulation Act and the State Bank of India Act. The Finance Minister will also move bills to amend the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, of 1970, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undert...