{"id":15513,"date":"2025-01-19T12:04:49","date_gmt":"2025-01-19T06:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/?p=15513"},"modified":"2025-03-19T12:26:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T06:56:17","slug":"budget-2025-updates-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2025-updates-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget 2025: Date, Time, Expectations, Where To Watch Live?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Budget 2025 is one of the most anticipated financial events of the year, shaping the economic roadmap for the country. From taxation reforms to industry-specific policies, it impacts businesses, individuals, and sectors alike. The Finance Minister completed her Pre-Budget Consultation with stakeholders, unions, and other representatives on January 6, ahead of beginning work on Budget 2025-26.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the first part of the Parliament&#8217;s Budget session will run from <\/span><b>January 31 to February 13, 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, followed by the second part from <\/span><b>March 10 to April 4, 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In this article, explore the Budget 2025 date, time, key expectations, and how to watch the live budget 2025 presentation.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e21315b32b2\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e21315b32b2\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2025-updates-news\/#Budget-2025-Date-and-Time\" >Budget 2025 Date and Time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2025-updates-news\/#Top-Budget-2025-Expectations\" >Top Budget 2025 Expectations\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2025-updates-news\/#Where-to-Watch-Union-Budget-2025-Live\" >Where to Watch Union Budget 2025 Live?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2025-updates-news\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budget-2025-Date-and-Time\"><\/span><b>Budget 2025 Date and Time<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Budget 2025 is scheduled to be presented on <\/span><b>February 1, 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, at <\/span><b>11:00 AM<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Continuing the annual tradition, Finance Minister <\/span><b>Nirmala Sitharaman<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will unveil the government\u2019s financial plans and policies for FY 2025-26 for the <\/span><b>eighth consecutive time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This date marks the beginning of crucial economic discussions and policy implementations that will shape India\u2019s growth trajectory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top-Budget-2025-Expectations\"><\/span><b>Top Budget 2025 Expectations\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Economic Growth and Fiscal Deficit<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government is anticipated to project a nominal economic growth rate of <\/span><b>10.3% to 10.5%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the upcoming fiscal year, an increase from the <\/span><b>9.7%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> forecast for the current year. This optimistic outlook is expected to be supported by government capital spending, agriculture, and export growth. Despite the growth initiatives, the government aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to below <\/span><b>4.5%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of GDP, aligning with fiscal consolidation goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Tax Reforms<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To stimulate consumption and provide relief to taxpayers, the following measures are anticipated:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Personal Income Tax Cuts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Potential reductions in personal income tax rates to increase disposable income and boost demand.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Basic Exemption Limit Increase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Proposals to raise the basic exemption limit under the new tax regime from \u20b93 lakh to \u20b95 lakh, providing relief to middle-class taxpayers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Simplification of Tax Compliance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Efforts to simplify tax laws and reduce litigation, including the potential introduction of a new income tax bill aimed at making the tax system more comprehensible and reducing the number of pages by about 60%.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3. Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A continued focus on infrastructure development is expected, with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increased Capital Expenditure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The government may target a capital spending of \u20b911 lakh crore in the Budget for the next fiscal year, maintaining the previous year&#8217;s level to support economic growth.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Railway Sector Investment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Indian Railways could receive a 15-20% increase in capital expenditure allocation, potentially raising the total to over \u20b93 lakh crore, up from \u20b92.65 lakh crore in the current fiscal year.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>4. Disinvestment and Asset Monetization<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government is likely to reduce its disinvestment and asset monetization target by 40% for FY25, lowering the goal to less than \u20b9300 billion from the initial \u20b9500 billion. This adjustment reflects ongoing challenges in the sale of state-run firms and asset monetization efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Employment and Job Creation to be on Priority<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>With the Union Budget 2025-26 approaching, <strong>job creation<\/strong> and <strong>wages<\/strong> are at the forefront of discussions. As India faces a structural slowdown, experts emphasize the need for jobs that meet the cost of living, not just job creation. Both the <strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)<\/strong> and <strong>Central Trade Unions (CTUs)<\/strong> have highlighted the need to boost employment guarantee schemes, focus on <strong>upskilling<\/strong>, and improve job readiness.<\/p>\n<p>Kunal Kumar Kundu, India Economist at <strong>Societe Generale<\/strong>, raised a critical concern: \u201c<em>India is experiencing a structural slowdown, not a cyclical one. Wages have contracted over the past four years. Job creation is crucial to address this.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0Kundu emphasised the need for targeted focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/new-msme-definition-turnover-2020\/\">MSMEs<\/a> and called for an urban employment generation scheme.<\/p>\n<p>Echoing this, <strong>Ramani Dathi<\/strong>, CFO at <strong>TeamLease Services<\/strong>, underscored the need for <strong>industrialization, formalization, financialization<\/strong>, and <strong>urbanization<\/strong> to create formal employment. She noted that addressing <strong>low wages<\/strong> is as important as creating jobs, with a targeted focus on <strong>MSMEs<\/strong>\u2014which are central to employment generation.<\/p>\n<p>Both the <strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)<\/strong> and <strong>Central Trade Unions (CTUs)<\/strong> have called for increased investments in employment guarantee schemes like <strong>MGNREGA<\/strong>, alongside a greater emphasis on <strong>upskilling<\/strong> and ensuring <strong>job readiness<\/strong>. While CII advocates for enhanced <strong>productivity<\/strong> and <strong>skills development<\/strong>, CTUs are pushing for an extension in workdays and a <strong>minimum wage guarantee<\/strong> for workers under such schemes.<\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Addressing Shortcomings of Flagship Healthcare Schemes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>The healthcare sector seeks reforms to address the shortcomings of flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat, says Sahil Lakshmanan, Chief Business Officer of CarePal Money. While Ayushman Bharat has helped provide financial coverage to disadvantaged populations, a major issue remains: many high-quality private hospitals are reluctant to admit patients due to low reimbursement rates and delayed payments. Only 43% of hospitals under the program are private.<\/p>\n<p>Lakshmanan also pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare&#8217;s allocation for 2024-25 is \u20b990,959 crore, or 1.89% of the total budget\u2014down from 2.3% in 2019-20. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach, with more focus on building government-funded hospitals to reduce reliance on private institutions and address regional disparities.<\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Enhancing Healthcare Accessibility<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>The Union Budget 2025 presents a vital opportunity to address critical gaps in India\u2019s healthcare system. Harish Trivedi, CEO of Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI), emphasized the urgency of improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved regions. &#8220;<em>The coming Budget allows the government to address critical gaps in the Indian healthcare system,<\/em>&#8221; said Trivedi.<\/p>\n<p>A key area for improvement is the enhancement of healthcare in remote areas. &#8220;We strongly advocate for increased investment in teleradiology services, which are essential to provide timely and accurate diagnostic solutions to patients in rural and remote locations,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Trivedi also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly for predictive analytics and optimizing radiation therapy.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, strengthening telemedicine infrastructure to make quality healthcare accessible in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, alongside improving healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, is a critical step towards reducing the reliance on urban centers, Trivedi concluded.<\/p>\n<h3><b>8. D2C Startups&#8217; Expectations from Union Budget 2025<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amar Nagaram, Founder and CEO of Virgo, has expressed that D2C startups are looking forward to initiatives that enhance access to affordable logistics, robust digital infrastructure, and streamlined cross-border trade to increase international scalability. He also emphasized the importance of policies that incentivize the adoption of green technologies, promote renewable energy investments, and support circular economy initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Interim <a href=\"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/budget-2024-highlights\/\">Budget 2024<\/a>, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized a golden era for tech-savvy youth, which is particularly beneficial for D2C startups in India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the Union Budget 2025 is expected to prioritize innovation and growth within the country&#8217;s digital economy, which is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2028.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Union Budget 2025: Key Expectations for MSMEs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, startups and MSMEs are anticipating measures to address their unique challenges and foster growth. Key expectations include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>9.1 Simplification of Tax Structures<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dinesh Gulati, COO of IndiaMART InterMESH Limited, emphasizes the need for a simplified tax structure to reduce compliance burdens and costs for MSMEs. He advocates for a sector-specific subsidized tax framework for startups in technology, electric vehicles, and alternative energy sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>9.2 Enhanced Credit Availability<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving access to credit is crucial for MSMEs and startups. The implementation of schemes like the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) is expected to facilitate easier financing options.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>9.3 Support for Export-Oriented MSMEs<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradeep Misra, Chairman &amp; MD of Rudrabhishek Enterprises Limited (REPL), suggests that the budget should introduce policies to support export-oriented MSMEs by extending benefits of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This support could enhance their output and quality, enabling them to meet international standards and boost exports.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>9.4 Promotion of Innovation and Technology Adoption<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aligning legal and financial policies to foster innovation is a priority. Policies supporting emerging technologies like IoT, AI, and quantum computing are anticipated to accelerate startup innovation and growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>9.5 Infrastructure Development<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investments in infrastructure are expected to improve logistics and connectivity, benefiting MSMEs by reducing operational costs and enhancing efficiency. The development of technology-driven infrastructure, such as IoT-enabled transport systems and smart logistics parks, is anticipated to be a focus area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where-to-Watch-Union-Budget-2025-Live\"><\/span><b>Where to Watch Union Budget 2025 Live?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM IST, can be watched live on the following platforms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Television<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The budget presentation will be broadcast live on Doordarshan and Sansad TV.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Online Streaming<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The live stream will be available on the YouTube channels of Sansad TV, the Press Information Bureau, and the Ministry of Finance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>News Channels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: NDTV Profit will also provide live coverage of the budget presentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<em>The views and opinions expressed in this article are based on pre-budget discussions, industry consultations, and expert insights. The content is intended for informational purposes only and does not represent the official stance or policies of any government body, organization, or financial institution. The Union Budget 2025-26 is subject to change, and the final budget provisions will be presented by the Finance Minister in Parliament. Readers are advised to refer to official announcements for accurate and up-to-date information.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><b>FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Will the Union Budget 2025 address employment and job creation?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job creation will likely be a key theme, with expected focus on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skill Development Initiatives: To equip the workforce for emerging industries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support for Emerging Sectors: Such as AI, green technologies, and manufacturing to generate new employment opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Where can I access the detailed Union Budget 2025 document?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The full budget document will be made available on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Official Website<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Visit the Ministry of Finance&#8217;s official site (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiabudget.gov.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.indiabudget.gov.in<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Press Information Bureau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: For official statements and updates post-presentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3. Will the Finance Minister scrap the Old Tax Regime in the upcoming Budget?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding the scrapping of the Old Tax Regime. However, discussions around simplifying tax structures and encouraging individuals to shift to the New Tax Regime with lower tax rates and fewer exemptions are expected to continue. The Union Budget 2025 may provide more clarity on whether any major changes will be made to the existing tax regimes.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Union Budget 2025 is one of the most anticipated financial events of the year, shaping the economic roadmap for the country. From taxation reforms to industry-specific policies, it impacts businesses, individuals, and sectors alike. The Finance Minister completed her Pre-Budget Consultation with stakeholders, unions, and other representatives on January 6, ahead of beginning work<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151156611,"featured_media":16545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3861],"tags":[4139],"class_list":{"0":"post-15513","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-latest-news","8":"tag-budget-2025"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/151156611"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15513"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15519,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15513\/revisions\/15519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}