Sat Feb 01 20:07:00 UTC 2025: ## Union Budget 2025: India Charts Course for AI-Driven Digital Economy

**New Delhi, February 2, 2025** – The Union Budget 2025, unveiled today, positions India as a global leader in the digital economy by prioritizing AI-driven innovation, robust digital infrastructure, and a future-ready workforce. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and CEO of Salesforce India, hailed the budget as a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India).

The budget outlines significant investments in AI and deep-tech, including a DeepTech Fund of Funds and 10,000 fellowships for technological research in leading institutions. Furthermore, the focus on establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Tier-2 cities aims to stimulate regional innovation and create widespread employment opportunities.

Recognizing the crucial role of skilled labor, the budget allocates funds to upskilling initiatives, including 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and a ₹500-crore Centre of Excellence for AI in Education. This complements private sector efforts like Salesforce’s Trailhead program, which is equipping thousands with AI and cloud skills.

The budget also supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by revising investment and turnover thresholds and improving credit access, enabling them to compete globally. A ₹2-crore term loan scheme for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs underscores the commitment to inclusive growth.

Sustainability is another key theme, with initiatives like the National Manufacturing Mission, investments in clean technology, and AI-enabled energy efficiency solutions. The ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission, aiming for 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, will bolster energy security and support the expanding digital infrastructure.

In summary, the Union Budget 2025 is a comprehensive plan leveraging technology, digital infrastructure, and workforce development to propel India’s economic growth while fostering an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

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