Tue Jan 28 10:32:30 UTC 2025: ## India Awaits Budget 2025: Tax Relief and Economic Boost on the Agenda

**New Delhi, January 28, 2025** – India holds its breath as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to deliver her eighth Union Budget on February 1st, 2025. The budget, expected to be presented at 11 am in the Lok Sabha, will be broadcast live on Doordarshan, Sansad TV, government YouTube channels, and Livemint.com.

This year’s budget is highly anticipated, with stakeholders across sectors hoping for measures to revitalize the economy and boost consumer confidence. The middle class is particularly eager for tax relief, with calls for revised income tax slabs and lower GST rates. Corporate India is also looking for regulatory updates and favorable investment policies.

Several industry leaders have voiced their expectations. Concerns about liquidity challenges for exporters, the need for greater support for MSMEs, and the potential for innovation in the healthcare sector, especially through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, have been highlighted. The real estate sector anticipates reforms to strengthen housing infrastructure and encourage sustainable urban development, with specific requests including GST reductions on brokerage and increased tax exemptions.

Economists predict the budget will focus on lowering the fiscal deficit while maintaining or increasing capital expenditure, potentially around ₹11 lakh crore, to stimulate investment. The continued emphasis on the MSME sector and the startup ecosystem is also expected to be a key theme.

The budget session of Parliament will run from January 31st to February 13th, with a second part from March 10th to April 4th. Despite being a Saturday, the stock exchanges (BSE and NSE) will remain open on February 1st in observance of the budget presentation. The anticipation is palpable as the nation awaits to see how the government will address the pressing economic concerns and shape the trajectory of India’s future.

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