Budget 2025 Expectations Highlights: Taxpayers hope for income tax relief to boost money in hand, consumer demand

Budget 2025 News LIVE: "With inflation showing no signs of abating within the Reserve Bank of India's target range in the near future, I believe the finance minister will implement necessary policy measures to curb price increases. This could involve reducing taxes on consumer goods such as packaged food and edible oils. This would boost household disposable income and positively impact private consumption. Furthermore, I believe the Budget should include measures to encourage savings through tax rationalisation and stimulate loan growth. A separate announcement on developing future-proof digital infrastructure for the financial sector in the era of artificial intelligence is also anticipated," said Shri V. P. Nandakumar, MD and CEO, Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Budget 2025 News LIVE: Pravin Kumar Agarwal, Managing Director and Chairman, Garuda Construction and Engineering Limited said,

"As the upcoming budget approaches, Garuda Construction and Engineering Limited is confident in the government's sustained focus on infrastructure development and capital investment. The construction and engineering sectors are key drivers of national growth, and we are eager to see policies that facilitate the acceleration of crucial infrastructure projects, particularly in urban development, large public spaces, and transportation networks. We are hopeful for increased budget allocations towards public-private partnership models, allowing specialised EPC players like us to take on large-scale, complex projects across various sectors.

A progressive budget prioritising infrastructure, hydropower, and the development of expansive community spaces will not only strengthen the backbone of our sector but also propel India towards inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth. We expect the budget to focus on building sustainable energy infrastructure, including hydropower projects across states, which are vital to achieving the country's renewable energy targets. Additionally, we look forward to reforms that address liquidity concerns, streamline project execution through regulatory simplifications, and incentivise technological advancements in construction. A strong emphasis on sustainability initiatives, such as promoting green building materials, energy-efficient infrastructure, and eco-friendly development, would further enhance India's position as a global leader in sustainable progress."

Budget 2025 News LIVE: Rizwan Soomar, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, DP World Middle East North Africa and India Subcontinent said,

“Investments in logistics infrastructure has a direct impact on growth of trade. Further, increase in capex outlay focused on a multimodal transport ecosystem, modernizing physical, digital, and social infrastructure, will help in enhancing India's connectivity to emerging and mature markets. Railways are the backbone of India's logistics ecosystem. Look forward to the dedicated rail freight corridors operationalized to scale movement to/from ports and to connect production/consumption centres in India even more effectively. 

Similarly, the investments in infrastructure and facilities at ports and inland cargo terminals, too, must be encouraged and incentivized. Further digitalization and automation of freight operations could be prioritised to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of logistics. Sustainability is a vital, underlying aspect of the infrastructure and logistics sectors. Promoting the use of renewable-energy shore power systems at India's ports and adoption of electric vehicles at ports and logistics facilities through suitable tax incentives will enhance the country’s green credentials in trade. The Budget could also consider introducing new export incentives and strengthening the implementation of existing schemes which will reduce export costs and enhance global competitiveness of India's goods.”

Budget 2025 News LIVE: Alouk Kumar, CEO and Founder of Inductus said,

"A key priority should be strengthening India's position as a global powerhouse through export of services and commodities, keeping into context the prevailing geo-political scenario including a strong focus upon developing India’s role in providing Global Capability & Innovation Centers.

We recommend introducing targeted tax benefits and grants in proportion to Job creation and Up-skilling Initiatives to further boost & strengthen the GCC ecosystem and growth. Taking inspiration from successful global models like Singapore's Smart Nation Initiative, we need to develop advanced digital infrastructure and smart tech parks. 

Budget allocation for workforce development through skill-building programs for emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing including deep tech, similar to Germany's Dual Education System, will be crucial for meeting emerging GCC talent demands. As per estimation, India will require around 2 million additional tech resources in addition to the existing 1.6 million resources, employed currently with GCCs.

Also, there is a need for budgetary provisions for providing tax holidays for the GCCs setting up their operations in tier 2 cities to stay competitive with their global counterparts and also to promote inclusivity across the nation.

To boost entrepreneurship and strengthen the backbone of India’s economy, the Union Budget 2025 should also consider prioritizing targeted measures to empower MSMEs and startups. 

Which may include facilitating credit access on simplified terms, tax incentives for integration & promotion of innovation & R&D initiatives, and skill development programs at the rural level. Additionally, establishing fair digital taxation frameworks for global tech giants and consultancy firms will ensure they contribute equitably to India's growth story."

Budget 2025 News LIVE: According to Munindra Verma, CEO of M1NXT, Budget 2025 must address the persistent liquidity challenges faced by exporters, especially as the government moves forwards towards achieving $2 trillion exports by 2030.

Expectations:

• Export credit has witnessed a decline over the past two years, making it imperative for targeted solutions like enhanced interest equalization schemes, simplified access to financing platforms, and broader support for trade credit insurance to mitigate risks. 
• With MSMEs contributing over 40% of India’s exports, we would expect policies that focus on increasing export credit growth, especially for this vital sector, are critical. 
• Strengthening integration into global supply chains, addressing fragmentation, and promoting innovation within institutions like ECGC will not only improve credit accessibility but also boost India’s competitiveness in the global market. 
• Digital Public Infrastructure like International Trade Financing Services (ITFS) with participants like Exporters, FIs and Trade Credit Insurers, should be further augmented bActivating Insurers and Initiating Interest equalisation equivalent esp for MSMEs and encouraging Financiers like IBUs could be impactful innovative enablers.

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: The budget should place a strong emphasis on MSMEs, as they are crucial for fostering innovation and contribute significantly to GDP, in addition to playing a vital role in local employment, particularly in underserved regions, feels Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India.

“At this transformative juncture, I believe the upcoming Union Budget must prioritise targeted reforms to fuel their growth and resilience," he added. 

Expectations include: 

• Access to credit still remains a critical challenge for MSMEs, we urge the Finance Minister to enhance allocations for credit guarantee schemes, especially for collateral-free loans as well as incentivise fintech partnerships to simplify funding for small businesses. 
• The budget should focus on enhancing AI integration in loan processes, to bridge the gap between underserved markets and financial institutions where access to financial services is limited, ensuring that all segments of the economy can thrive. 
• Strong emphasis on digitisation is essential. Allocating resources to promote digital tools for accounting, invoicing, and payment management can significantly improve operational efficiency. 
• Additionally, tax reforms that simplify compliance and reduce the burden on MSMEs can go a long way in fostering ease of doing business. 
• Lastly, skilling initiatives focused on digital and financial literacy will be crucial to ensuring MSMEs remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market. 

As the Budget date approaches, taxpayers are anxious about potential cuts in income tax slabs. A stark analysis reveals how the 30% income tax slab disproportionately affects India's middle class, eroding their purchasing power and leaving them grappling with rising costs. Will relief finally come? Aarti Raote of Deloitte India takes a look. Read full here

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: Innovation in medical technology, especially homegrown solutions, is essential for a self-reliant India, feels Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, SS Innovations.

“As we pursue the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, it is vital to not only promote indigenous technology but also ensure it reaches the people it is intended to serve, particularly through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat. Government support for Indian innovation will help make medical technologies both affordable and accessible to the masses,” Srivastava added. 

Expectations:

• Government should revisit duties on critical components and create a favourable environment to strengthen domestic production. 
• Backing for emerging fields like Telesurgery and Teleproctoring is crucial. These technologies can revolutionize healthcare delivery in remote regions by enabling access to expert surgical care and medical education through digital platforms. 

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: Dr Vishal Arora, Chief of Business Transformation & Operational Excellence of Artemis Hospitals feels the Budget offers a critical opportunity for India to address long-standing gaps in its healthcare system.

Expectations:

• Advancing Digital Health and Telemedicine: A major part of this transformation should be a strong investment in digital health solutions such as telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and health data interoperability. 
• Prioritising Preventive Healthcare: Sufficient allocations must be made for addressing the root causes of diseases in the form of wellness programs, mental health programs, and nutrition-based interventions. The national health agenda should expand mental health services and improve wellness in general. 
• Sustaining a Skilled Workforce: While scaling up infrastructure, equal importance must be given to attracting, training, and retaining skilled healthcare professionals, more particularly in underserved and rural areas. 
• Increasing Healthcare Expenditure: The current healthcare expenditure in India is less than 2 per cent of GDP, which is very low compared with the average in other countries. To make meaningful progress on healthcare accessibility and quality, it is imperative to increase this allocation to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP.  

Union Budget 2025 News LIVE: The upcoming Union Budget 2025 holds immense promise for India’s real estate sector, especially as it seeks robust reforms to strengthen housing infrastructure and encourage sustainable urban development, feels Ajay Agrawal, MD of BramhaCorp.

Expectations include: 

• Industry stakeholders anticipate increased tax incentives for affordable housing, policies to simplify land acquisition, and measures to promote green building practices. 
• Incentivising real estate investment trusts (REITs) could further boost commercial realty. 
• With India’s urban population growing rapidly, the sector hopes for focused initiatives to address housing shortages and improve infrastructure. 

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: The Budget work to maintain, if not increase capex, in the range of ₹11 lakh crore that will provide a fillip to investment, according to Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist of Bank of Baroda.

“We do believe that the starting point of the budget will be the fiscal deficit and efforts will be made to lower the ratio by 0.5% to probably close to 4.3-4.4% of GDP for FY26,” he said. 

Expectations:

• Budget would work to maintain, if not increase capex, in the range of ₹11 lakh crore that will provide a fillip to investment (the revised estimate for FY25 could be lower than what was projected). 
• Benefits for MSMEs and industry are also expected through the PLI scheme with probably a special dispensation for the former. 
• There could be some minor rationalisation in subsidy outgo through better targeting of beneficiaries. 
• It would, however, be interesting to see if there are any special rebates offered on income tax given that consumption has been affected due to high inflation this year. 
• From the perspective of banks a more favourable tax slab for interest on bank deposits will help to provide a level field with equity markets and also provide incentive to deposit holders.

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: Shashank Paranjape, MD of Paranjape Schemes Construction is optimistic about initiatives in the Budget to boost the real estate sector.

“From our perspective, as we plan to launch several new projects in 2025, it is critical to assess how government policies might influence market sentiment, pricing structures, and customer buying potential,” he added.

Expectations include: 

• Key areas of interest for us include tax benefits for homebuyers, increased incentives for affordable housing and green building initiatives, and enhanced ease of doing business for developers. 
• Reforms in stamp duty, and simplified GST regulations for under-construction properties would be welcome changes, enabling us to deliver even greater value to our customers. 
• Furthermore, we are also looking for targeted incentives for special projects like Athashri (senior living) and Swaniketan (homes for differently abled). 

Budget 2025 News LIVE: The government’s continued focus on the MSME sector is encouraging, feels Sundeep Mohindru, Promoter and Director of M1xchange. He added that they expect an even stronger thrust on fostering MSME growth this year to achieve India's $5 trillion economic vision.

“To address the persistent credit gap for MSMEs, the budget should prioritise expanding the reach of collateral-free credit financing platform and reduce borrowing costs for small businesses,” he added.

Expectations include: 

• Enabling seamless trade financing through policy support for trade credit insurance to boost working capital access for SMEs thereby enhance financial inclusion. 
• Enable TReDS to integrate with GST portal for validation of genuinety of invoice uploaded on TReDS by MSMEs and ease the Factoring of receivables of SMEs with out dependence on Buyers for approval. 
• Fasten the process of TReDS integration with GEM portal for expanding the reach of TReDS credit lines to MSMEs working for Government and Public sector companies.”

Union Budget 2025 Expectations: Anticipation is high that the government will continue its strong support for India's startup ecosystem, according to Kunal Mundra, CEO & Co-founder of Electrifi Mobility.

He expects focused measures that include enhanced financial support mechanisms and simplified regulatory frameworks to further empower the sector. 

Expectations include: 

• Initiatives that will enable innovative companies to scale quickly, while ensuring that sustainable technologies become more accessible, affordable, and impactful for a wider audience. 
• A more holistic and strategic approach for the continued growth of India’s EV sector. While initiatives like the PM E-Drive are commendable, the sector now requires further support in key areas such as infrastructure development and financing solutions. 
• Prioritise creating a conducive ecosystem that not only supports the adoption of EVs but also makes them a viable and accessible option for consumers.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: The Indian wellness industry currently holds a projected value of over $72 billion for 2025, according to Prabhat Maheshwari, Co-Founder and Director of Amocare. He added that the sector has witnessed “remarkable growth in India, with CAGR of 28 per cent by 2025”. 

Key expectations include:

• Rationalization of GST rates for natural wellness products from the current 18 per cent to a proposed 12 per cent to enhance accessibility for middle-class consumers. 
• Increased allocation for R&D in natural sciences and preventive healthcare to accelerate innovation in plant-based wellness solutions.
• Anticipate policy support for natural healthcare products, particularly those focused on women's wellness, to help expand the market reach while maintaining quality and affordability.

Budget News LIVE: Rahul Thomas, Whole-Time Director of Suraj Estate Developers believes that while Budget 2024 “laid a good foundation” for affordable housing and infrastructure, “now (Budget 2025) is the time for more impactful reforms, especially with rising luxury housing market”.

Thomas added that luxury homes are seeing a big surge in demand, and if the budget includes a stronger push for sustainable, green construction and urban development, it could open doors to new opportunities while addressing environmental concerns. 

“This budget has the potential to move beyond incremental changes and truly redefine the future of India’s real estate sector, making it more dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready. However, the specific details will depend on the government’s priorities and the overall economic situations,” he added.

Union Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: The real estate industry is hoping for reduction in GST on brokerage, higher tax exemptions in this Budget from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, according to Amit Chopra, President NAR India.

Expectations include: 

• A reduction in GST on brokerage services from 18% with input credit to 5% without input credit, which would ease the financial burden on both buyers and brokers. 
• Growing anticipation for higher tax exemptions on home loans, better incentives for affordable housing, and faster approvals for sustainable developments. 
• Additionally, reducing stamp duty and registration fees, along with lowering home loan interest rates—especially for first-time buyers—would go a long way in making homeownership a reality for many and driving growth in the sector.

Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: When and where to watch Union Budget 2025?

Good morning and welcome to Livemint' coverage of the Union Budget 2025 and expectations of crores of Indians and corporates.

• Budget 2025 date and time: Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 in Parliament on February 1, 2025. Her speech will start at 11 am in the Lok Sabha.
• Where to watch: The Union budget will be broadcast on the official channels of the Parliament, Doordarshan, and Sansad TV. It will also be streamed on the government's official YouTube channels.

Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025 speech can be watched live on Livemint.com. And all the latest updates about the Budget 2025, can be tracked on livemint.com Budget live blog. Stay tuned for the latest developments!