Sat Feb 01 01:48:38 UTC 2025: ## Sitharaman Presents Record-Breaking Eighth Union Budget

**New Delhi, February 1, 2025** – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today presented her record-breaking eighth consecutive Union Budget, marking a significant milestone in Indian fiscal history. The budget, presented at 11 a.m., aims to bolster slowing economic growth while maintaining fiscal prudence. This brings Ms. Sitharaman closer to the record of 10 budgets presented by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

The Economic Survey, released Friday, projected India’s economic growth to be between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26, up from an estimated 6.4% this year. The budget is anticipated to include measures aimed at stimulating consumption and reducing the fiscal deficit. Furthermore, it is widely expected to address the concerns of the middle class, grappling with high prices and stagnant wages, potentially through adjustments to income tax rates or slabs.

Ms. Sitharaman, continuing a tradition she began in 2019, eschewed the colonial-era briefcase, opting instead for a traditional “bahi-khata” style folder adorned with the national emblem to carry the budget documents.

The budget is also expected to address India’s climate commitments, with a focus on accelerating progress on both adaptation and mitigation strategies in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. The nation is aiming for its first interim Net-Zero target within five years. The Economic Survey acknowledged the need to harness advanced technologies while acknowledging the need for a gradual transition away from coal-fired power plants.

The Sensex reacted positively to the budget’s anticipated measures, rallying 136.44 points to 77,637.01 in opening trade. The Nifty also saw an increase of 20.2 points to 23,528.60. The budget’s details are expected to be closely scrutinized in the coming days.

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