Budget 2025 Live Updates: The Budget For FY26 Will Be Presented By Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman On Feb 1

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 on February 1, marking her eighth consecutive budget delivery. This will be the second full budget under the Narendra Modi 3.0 administration following the 2024 general elections. The budget announcement comes at a critical time for the government, with challenges such as a weakening rupee, possible tariff issues with former President Trump, and sluggish domestic demand. The session is scheduled to start at 11 am, and for the first time, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remain open for trading despite the usual weekend closure.

This year’s budget holds significant weight given the recent economic slowdown, with GDP growth dropping to 5.4% in the July-September 2024 quarter. There are strong expectations for revisions in income tax slabs and incentives for businesses to foster investment and job creation. The budget is likely to focus on promoting rural development, infrastructure, and healthcare, while maintaining fiscal discipline. The government’s fiscal strategy is expected to guide the economy through the next few years, with an emphasis on stimulating growth in the first half of 2025.