Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her eighth consecutive budget presentation on February 1, 2025, emphasizing the government’s sustained efforts to accelerate growth, secure inclusive development, and boost household sentiment. The budget speech, presented in Parliament at 11 a.m., aims to uplift India’s economic prospects while remaining fiscally disciplined.
In her opening remarks, Sitharaman highlighted key budgetary goals, including stimulating private investment, enhancing spending power among the middle class, and driving overall economic growth. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Budget earlier today before its presentation in Parliament.
This year’s budget comes at a time when India’s economy is projected to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26, according to the Economic Survey for 2024-25. The survey, tabled in Parliament on January 31, reflects optimism regarding India’s post-pandemic recovery but emphasizes the need for sustained reforms to achieve long-term economic stability.
The budget marks Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive presentation, putting her on track to approach former Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s record of 10 budget speeches. It also represents the first full budget of Modi’s government 3.0, following the interim budget presented in July 2024.
With a focus on boosting consumption, the budget includes measures aimed at narrowing the fiscal deficit while promoting private investments and enhancing the purchasing power of India’s growing middle class. As the government strives to maintain fiscal prudence, the budget is expected to introduce reforms to promote sustainable economic development while addressing current growth challenges.
