Thu Jan 30 04:38:12 UTC 2025: ## India Awaits Budget 2025: Tax Relief and Infrastructure Spending Top Expectations

**New Delhi, January 28, 2024** – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on February 1st, 2025, at 11 am in the Lok Sabha. The budget, Sitharaman’s eighth and second under the current Modi government, will be broadcast live on Doordarshan, Sansad TV, and various government YouTube channels. LiveMint.com will also provide live coverage and updates.

Anticipation is high, with taxpayers and businesses alike hoping for significant reforms. The key expectations revolve around tax relief, increased infrastructure spending, and support for key sectors.

**Tax Reforms Dominate Wishlist:** Many stakeholders are calling for revised income tax slabs, lower GST rates, and simplified tax compliance procedures, especially for MSMEs and startups. Specific requests include a reduction in TDS for digital asset transactions and a lower GST rate for the gaming industry. The real estate sector is pushing for industry status to access cheaper funding. Renewable energy companies seek increased tax holidays and lower corporate tax rates.

**Infrastructure and Sector-Specific Support:** Significant investment in infrastructure is another major expectation, with calls for increased capital expenditure (capex) of 12-15%, particularly in areas like railways, inland waterways, and smart cities. Support for key sectors is also anticipated, including increased investment in R&D for emerging technologies (AI, 5G, semiconductors), agriculture, and healthcare. Incentives for the adoption of greener technologies and promotion of domestic manufacturing are also desired.

**Experts Weigh In:** Industry leaders have voiced their expectations. Rohan Bhargava of CashKaro and EarnKaro emphasized investment in emerging technologies to attract talent. Vandana Tandan of SIG Group highlighted the need for low-interest financing and accelerated rollout of the National Retail Policy. Others called for greater support for startups, MSMEs, the tourism sector, and the education sector through the National Education Policy. The defense and space tech sectors also anticipate increased budgetary provisions.

The stock markets, unusually, will remain open on February 1st, 2025, in anticipation of the budget announcement. The overall mood is optimistic, with many hoping that Budget 2025 will provide the impetus needed to further accelerate India’s economic growth and solidify its position on the global stage.

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