News for 'The Union Budget'

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

Seven of the meetings will be held in late November or early December at the finance ministry, as is the norm.

India eyes 2000 GCCs beyond metro cities by yearend

India eyes 2000 GCCs beyond metro cities by yearend

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

MeitY is in discussions with global Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, mid-tier firms, and state government officials on a three-pronged approach to setting up new GCCs in India.

Direct tax: Budget 2025-26 eases burden, boosts spending and growth

Direct tax: Budget 2025-26 eases burden, boosts spending and growth

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

The eighth Budget of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman continued to focus on 'GYAN' (Garib, Youth, Annadata, Nari) to maintain a consistent and coherent strategy initiated over the years in pursuing the government's vision for Viksit Bharat. The approach, characterised by incremental yet impactful steps, aims to create a compounding effect over time.

More Freebies In The Interim Budget?

More Freebies In The Interim Budget?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The rising goods and services tax (GST) and personal income-tax collections may bolster the Narendra Modi government's ability to announce new schemes or enhance existing ones.

Amrit kaal's 1st budget fulfils dreams of...: Modi

Amrit kaal's 1st budget fulfils dreams of...: Modi

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The middle class is a big force to fulfil dreams of a prosperous and developed India and our government has taken many decisions to empower it, the prime minister said.

Did You Know What Defence Ministry Did This Year?

Did You Know What Defence Ministry Did This Year?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

India fully utilised its military modernisation budget in 2024-2025 -- the first time in five years -- and signed a record Rs 2 trillion defence contracts.

Rs 2.19 lakh crore given to MHA; majority for CAPFs

Rs 2.19 lakh crore given to MHA; majority for CAPFs

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday allocated Rs 2,19,643 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs with the majority of it -- Rs 1,43,275 crore -- being given to central police forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which are responsible for internal security, border guarding, and security of vital installations.

Railway Budget to be history

Railway Budget to be history

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

The Union Budget for 2017 is likely to be presented on February 1. An approval for merging the Railway Budget with the General Budget was accorded by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday.

PM seeks ideas for Budget, meets economists, experts

PM seeks ideas for Budget, meets economists, experts

Rediff.com9 Jan 2020

"The Union Budget represents the aspirations of 130 crore Indians and lays out the path towards India's development. I invite you all to share your ideas and suggestions for this year's Budget on MyGov," the PM said according to a statement posted on his official website on Thursday.

India To Develop 50 Tourism Sites

India To Develop 50 Tourism Sites

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

In a continued push to spiritual tourism, there will be a focus on destinations related to the life and times of Lord Buddha.

Govt fixes capex at Rs 11.21 lakh cr for FY26

Govt fixes capex at Rs 11.21 lakh cr for FY26

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Having missed the target for the current financial year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday proposed to spend Rs 11.21 lakh crore towards capital expenditure (capex) for FY26. However, the capex target is going to be missed by about 93,000 crore for the current financial year.

Parl's stormy monsoon session ends; productivity of LS 136%, RS 118%

Parl's stormy monsoon session ends; productivity of LS 136%, RS 118%

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

The disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the Olympics after being found overweight before the final bout also saw the government and Opposition come to blows in Parliament.

Fiscal deficit at 52.5% of full-year target at Nov-end

Fiscal deficit at 52.5% of full-year target at Nov-end

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

The Centre's fiscal deficit at the end of the eighth month of financial year 2024-25 touched 52.5 per cent of the full-year target, government data showed on Tuesday. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit -- the gap between the government's expenditure and revenue -- was about Rs 8.47 lakh crore during the April-November period, according to the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

Rate Jaitley's Budget 2017-18 speech

Rate Jaitley's Budget 2017-18 speech

Rediff.com1 Feb 2017

Are you happy with his proposals? How would you rate the speech? Tell us...

Budget 2023-24 a blue print for India@100: FM

Budget 2023-24 a blue print for India@100: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

This is the first Budget in Amrit Kaal, she said.

Nirmala Sitharaman and her team decode the fine prints of Budget 2024

Nirmala Sitharaman and her team decode the fine prints of Budget 2024

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team of bureaucrats, delved into the fine print of the 2024-25 Budget documents in a press conference, detailing the government's road map on bringing down the debt-to-GDP ratio and bold tax measures.

'Time To Play Tests Not T20s In Markets'

'Time To Play Tests Not T20s In Markets'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

'2025 is the year to build a portfolio for the future. Focus this year should be on valuations and visible growth.'

FM unveils simpler tax law, middle class gets relief

FM unveils simpler tax law, middle class gets relief

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday unveiled 'transformative' tax reforms that ranged from a simpler income tax law to higher TCS threshold for remittances and income tax benefits for middle class.

'We Expect Everyone Will Shift To New Tax Regime Now'

'We Expect Everyone Will Shift To New Tax Regime Now'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

'Nearly 10 million people will benefit from the increase in the rebate limit for those earning up to Rs 12 lakh.' 'We expect all that money will come back into the economy in either savings, consumption, or investments.'

Govt cuts customs duty on 3 cancer drugs

Govt cuts customs duty on 3 cancer drugs

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government proposes to cut custom duties on Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab from 10 per cent to nil.

Cabinet clears Ahmedabad as 'ideal host' for 2030 CWG

Cabinet clears Ahmedabad as 'ideal host' for 2030 CWG

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

"Commonwealth Games in India would leave lasting impact by boosting tourism, and creating jobs, the Government said in a statement.

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Farmer representatives and agricultural stakeholders urged the government to provide cheaper long-term credit, implement lower taxes, and double the PM-KISAN income support during a comprehensive pre-budget consultation with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. The two-hour meeting saw a detailed discussion of proposals, aimed at addressing multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, with key demands focusing on financial relief, market reforms, and strategic investments.

No income tax up to Rs 12 lakh under new regime

No income tax up to Rs 12 lakh under new regime

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually will not have to pay any income tax under the new tax regime as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday gave relief to middle class by raising exemption limit and rejigging slabs. For salaried employees, this nil tax limit will be Rs 12.75 lakh per annum, after taking into account a standard deduction of Rs 75,000.

Sitharaman kicks off Budget process with halwa ceremony

Sitharaman kicks off Budget process with halwa ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jan 2020

The 'halwa ceremony' marks the beginning of the lockdown of several officials in the finance ministry, who remain cut off from their families until the presentation of the Budget by the finance minister in the Lok Sabha.

Over Rs 946 cr allocated to CBI in Budget 2023

Over Rs 946 cr allocated to CBI in Budget 2023

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The agency received Rs 911 crore to manage its affairs in the Budget Estimates for 2022-23, which was later decreased to Rs 906.59 crore in the Revised Estimates.

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

Rediff.com9 May 2025

India has no intention to escalate tensions with Pakistan, but any military attacks on its soil will be met with a "very" firm response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Jaishankar made the remarks at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing that the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack compelled India to carry out strikes on "cross-border" terror infrastructure on Wednesday. He reiterated that India's response was targeted and measured, but stressed that any further military attacks would be met with a firm response. The Iranian foreign minister, who landed in New Delhi amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, called for de-escalation of the situation and stressed the need for regional cooperation to eradicate terrorism. The meeting also focused on boosting ties in areas of trade and investment, including the Chabahar port project.

Investors budget for growth on Feb 1; tax sops for salaried expected

Investors budget for growth on Feb 1; tax sops for salaried expected

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

Reminiscent of the past two years, the market has made positive strides ahead of the Union Budget 2023-24 (FY24). The benchmark National Stock Exchange Nifty has gained 1.8 per cent in the last month. Typically, markets tend to gain ahead of the Budget as investors build in optimism.

Pre-tariff rush to US lifts exports by 7% in July

Pre-tariff rush to US lifts exports by 7% in July

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

India's goods exports rebounded in July after two months of contraction, with outbound shipments rising 7.3 per cent to $37.24 billion, led by a surge in exports to the United States before the country's reciprocal tariff kicked in and bolstered by a recovery in exports to other key markets.

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

As it gains commercial viability, the food will likely become a powerful political currency.

Budget 2023: What bankers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2023: What bankers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com17 Jan 2023

Ahead of the Union Budget, the banking sector, through the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), has made recommendations to the Union finance ministry on direct tax, including removing Section 194N of the Income Tax Act. According to Section 194N, tax deduction at source (TDS) has to be done if a sum or sums withdrawn in cash by a person in a fiscal year exceed Rs 20 lakh if no income-tax return (ITR) has been filed for the three previous assessment years, and Rs 1 crore if ITRs have been filed in all the three previous assessment years.

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

In a double-dose bid to boost growth and employment prospects, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 2.07 trillion outlay for a research development and innovation (RDI) Scheme to fund private sector innovations, and an employment-linked incentive (ELI) to create over 35 million new jobs over the next two years.

Customs duty exemption on lithium, cobalt to aid growth of EV sector

Customs duty exemption on lithium, cobalt to aid growth of EV sector

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The proposed exemption in customs duty on import of lithium, cobalt and other rare minerals in the Union Budget 2024-25 is likely to lower the battery production cost and help in making electric vehicles more affordable for the buyers, auto industry leaders said on Tuesday.

India to amend nuclear liability law ahead of Modi's US visit

India to amend nuclear liability law ahead of Modi's US visit

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

India on Saturday announced plans to amend its nuclear liability law and set up a nuclear energy mission, a move that came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to the United States.

No state has been denied money in FY25 Budget: Sitharaman

No state has been denied money in FY25 Budget: Sitharaman

Rediff.com30 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday termed misleading claims by opposition leaders that if any state is not named in the Budget speech, then it does not get any budgetary allocation. Replying to a Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman asserted that no state was being denied money. She recalled that in the past Budgets by the UPA government also did not mention names of all states in their Budget speech.

Nirmala's family in Parliament to watch Budget

Nirmala's family in Parliament to watch Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

Like last year, Sitharaman opted for a traditional 'bahi-khata' to carry budget documents. Dressed in a crisp yellow silk saree, the minister carried the documents wrapped in a red silk cloth, adorned with the Indian emblem in golden.

Govt announces Critical Mineral Mission to boost domestic output

Govt announces Critical Mineral Mission to boost domestic output

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government on Tuesday proposed to launch a mission to give fillip to the domestic output of critical minerals like copper and lithium, their recycling as well as acquisition of such assets abroad. Presenting Union Budget for 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said the government will launch the auction of the first round of offshore mining blocks.

WATCH LIVE! Parliament's Budget Session

WATCH LIVE! Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

Battle lines have already been drawn and the opposition has insisted on a debate on demonetisation.

Stock markets to remain open on Budget day

Stock markets to remain open on Budget day

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

The decision has been taken following requests made in this regard by market participants as Budget contains several market-moving announcements.

Making Robots To Help Humanity

Making Robots To Help Humanity

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'Our vision is to innovate as many products as we can and solve as many problems as possible.'

Time To Make Budget More Transparent

Time To Make Budget More Transparent

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The Budget should use the extra RBI surplus to better effect, suggests A K Bhattacharya.