Budget 2025 Live Updates: The Budget For FY26 Will Be Presented By Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman On Feb 1

That’s a wrap for today’s updates on all things related to the Union Budget.

The Economic Survey 2024-25 is scheduled for release on January 31

. The Budget session in Parliament will start on January 31 and will conclude on April 4. Nirmala Sitharaman will present her eighth straight Budget on February 1.

All-Party Meeting Underway in New Delhi as Union Budget 2025 Session Approaches

An all-party meeting has kicked off in New Delhi ahead of the Union Budget session set to begin on January 31. The meeting, being held at the Parliament Annexe, is chaired by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, JP Nadda, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and L Murugan. The discussions are expected to focus on key issues and preparations for the upcoming budget, with various political parties gearing up to present their viewpoints ahead of the session.

Will Income Tax Breaks Support Affordable Housing for First-Time Homebuyers?

As Union Budget 2025-26 approaches, first-time homeowners and potential buyers are eagerly awaiting possible tax incentives aimed at making homeownership more accessible. There are growing expectations that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may introduce income tax deductions on home loan interest repayments, along with subsidized interest rates for home loans. These measures could provide much-needed relief to aspiring homeowners, making it easier to afford a home and boosting the affordable housing segment in India.

Government Set to Boost Infrastructure Spending in Budget 2025, Focus on Execution

In Budget 2025, the government is expected to significantly increase its infrastructure outlay, with estimates nearing ₹14 lakh crore. Experts, including Vinayak Chatterjee, anticipate a sharp focus on execution, as investments in infrastructure could reach 3.5% of GDP. While brokerages like Morgan Stanley predict that this will drive growth in the industrial sector, Jefferies holds a more cautious view on the overall impact. The budget's direction is poised to play a crucial role in shaping India's infrastructure landscape.

That’s a wrap for today’s updates on all things related to the Union Budget.

Budget 2025 Expectation: Will India Increase Gold Duties Amid Soaring Imports?

As Budget 2025 approaches, there is growing speculation about a potential hike in gold import duties following last year’s significant 9% cut, which led to a sharp rise in imports. In November 2024, gold imports surged to $14.8 billion, contributing to a widening trade deficit and putting pressure on the rupee, which weakened to nearly 87/USD. Economists argue for higher duties to curb imports, but the jewellery industry warns that reversing the cuts could undermine competitiveness and fuel a rise in gold smuggling.

Budget 2025 expectations updates: Energy Sector Eyes Greater Investments and Policy Support

As India moves toward becoming a "Viksit Bharat," stakeholders are urging the government to enhance support for social entrepreneurship in Budget 2025. Emphasizing the role of initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission and Startup India, they call for measures such as streamlined credit access, targeted skill-building programs for social entrepreneurs.

India Likely to Raise Farm Allocation by 15% to ₹1.73 Lakh Crore

India is expected to increase its farm allocation by over 15% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, with total funding for agriculture and allied activities projected to rise to approximately ₹1.75 lakh crore ($20.2 billion), up from ₹1.52 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. This move aims to boost agricultural growth and address the sector’s pressing challenges.

Markets to remain open on Feb 1 for Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2025 speech

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE will remain open for full trading sessions on Saturday, February 1, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2025. Equity markets will operate from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm, while commodity derivatives trading will continue until 5:00 pm. Pre-market trading is scheduled from 9:00 am to 9:08 am, with indices calculated throughout the day. However, the "T0" session will be skipped due to a settlement holiday.

Budget 2025 Set to Boost Affordable Housing with Key Government Initiatives

The real estate sector, particularly affordable housing, is poised for a significant boost in Budget 2025, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure development and government schemes designed to enhance affordability. A major focus will be the revival of affordable housing through initiatives like the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aiming to make homeownership more accessible, especially for low-income families. These measures are expected to drive growth in the sector and improve housing access for vulnerable groups.