100+ Highlights of UNION BUDGET 2025-26
- No income tax payable up to 12 lakh
- No income tax payable up to 12 lakh under new income tax regime, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Proposal to value two self-occupied properties at nil
- The proposal suggests that two self-occupied properties, instead of just one, can be valued at Nil for tax purposes.
- 2 self occupied properties in place of 1 can be valued at ‘Nil’
- The valuation of two self-occupied properties can now be considered as Nil, instead of just one.
- Time limit to file updated tax returns extended
- The deadline to file updated tax returns has been extended from 2 years to 4 years.
- TDS & TCS rationalisation with focus on middle class
- The new income tax bill will retain nearly half of the existing provisions and introduce personal income tax reforms with a focus on the middle class. It will also rationalise the tax deducted at source (TDS) and tax collected at source (TCS) regime by reducing the number of rates and adjusting thresholds.
- The threshold limit for TCS on LRS remittances has been increased from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
- The TDS threshold limit on rent has been raised to ₹6 lakh.
- It is proposed to remove TCS on education loans up to ₹10 lakh from specified financial institutions.
- Budget 2025 Live Updates: Customs provisional assessment time limit set at 2 years
- The time limit for provisional assessments in customs has been set at 2 years. This applies specifically to customs assessments.
- Budget 2025 Live Updates: FM adjusts basic customs duty
- The Finance Minister announced exemptions from basic customs duty (BCD) for 36 life-saving drugs, 35 additional capital goods for EV manufacturing, and wet blue leather. BCD on flat panel displays will increase from 10% to 20%, while duty on fish paste will be reduced from 30% to 5%.
- Government proposes removal of 7 additional tariff rates, leaving only 8
- Propose removal of 7 tariff rates over an above those in removed in earlier budget. Only 8 tariff rates to remain after the new move.
- Fiscal deficit for FY25 set at 4.8%, FY26 projected at 4.4%
- The fiscal deficit for FY25 is set at 4.8%, while the estimated fiscal deficit for FY26 stands at 4.4%.
- Govt boosts oilseed & pulse production with financial & strategic support
- The government is strengthening India’s edible oil sector through the National Mission for Edible Oilseeds to reduce import dependency. The increase in the Kisan Credit Card loan limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh will help farmers invest in better-quality seeds and modern techniques, boosting yield and profitability. BN Group’s $1 billion expansion into Africa aligns with this vision. Additionally, a six-year mission for self-reliance in pulses, with direct procurement by NAFED and NCCF, further supports farmers’ income stability.
- Government targets fiscal deficit control with gradual debt reduction
- The government aims to manage the fiscal deficit while ensuring a steady decline in debt over the years.
- Jan Vishwas 2.0 bill to decriminalise over 100 provisions in existing laws
- Jan Vishwas 2.0 bill to decriminalise over 100 provisions in existing laws.
- Banks to maintain Grameen Credit score for self-help groups
- Banks will be required to maintain a Grameen credit score for self-help groups to facilitate better financial access and support.
- Govt to draft model bilateral investment treaty to attract foreign investment
- The government will create a model Bilateral Investment Treaty to foster a more investment-friendly environment and encourage sustained foreign investment.
- New income tax bill next week
- A new income tax bill is set to be introduced next week, adopting a “trust first, scrutinize later” approach.
- Insurance FDI hiked from 74% to 100%
- The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector has been raised from 74% to 100%. This applies to insurers who invest their entire premium within India
- Centre to provide guidance framework for states to boost GCCs
- The government will offer a national guidance framework to help states promote Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and enhance their growth.
- Cargo screening and customs clearance to be simplified for users
- Cargo screening and customs clearance processes will be made more user-friendly to improve efficiency and ease for stakeholders.
- Support to be given to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff barriers in exports
- Export promotion mission to be jointly driven by Commerce Ministry, MSMEs. Bharat Trade Net to be set up as digital public infrastructure for trade facilitation and financing. Support to be given to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff barriers in exports.
- Deeptech fund of funds to be explored
- A Deeptech Fund of Funds will be explored to support technological advancements, while 10,000 fellowships will be provided for tech research at IITs and IISc under the PM Research Fellowship Scheme.
- Over the next 5 years, the scheme will offer 10,000 scholarships to further tech innovation and research.
- PM Gati Shakti data to be made available for private sector
- PM Gati Shakti data will be made accessible to the private sector, and the development of the top 50 tourist destinations will be carried out in partnership with state governments.
- Hotels will also be included in the harmonised scheme for enhanced tourism infrastructure.
- Mudra loans to be provided to homestays
- Mudra loans to be provided to homestays, says FM.
- Medical tourism and ‘heal in India’ to be promoted in partnership with private sector.
- Financial assistance for Western Kosi Canal Project in Mithilanchal
- Financial assistance will be provided for Western Kosi Canal Project in Mithilanchal region of Bihar
- Modified UDAN scheme to connect 120 new destinations
- The modified UDAN scheme will be launched to connect 120 new destinations and cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
- Additionally, greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar to support this expansion.
- Budget 2025 Live Updates:100GW nuclear enegery by 2047 is essential for energy transition
- 100 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear energy by 2047 is essential for engergy transition. Power sector reforms, and augmentation of capacity to be incentivised. Additional borrowing of 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by states, nuclear energy mission for R&D of small modular reactors with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore will be set up.
- Shipbuilding financial assistance policy revamped
- The shipbuilding financial assistance policy will be revamped with the establishment of a Maritime Development Fund, having a corpus of ₹25,000 crore. The government will contribute 49% to this fund.
- Government to establish ₹1 lakh crore urban challenge fund for growth hubs
- The government will create a ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund aimed at transforming cities into growth hubs. The fund will finance 25% of the cost of bankable projects, with an allocation of ₹10,000 crore for 2025-26.
- The remaining 50% will be funded through bonds, bank loans, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- Extend Jal Jeevan Mission
- Extend Jal Jeevan mission with an enhanced outlay, focus on quality infrastructure and O&M. 15 crore households have been provided portable tap water access under Jal Jeevan Mission.
- PPP in infrastructure
- 3-year pipeline of projects by states to be given that can be implemented in private-public partnership (PPP) mode. Each infrastructure-related ministry is to come up with a 3-year plan to be implemented in PPP mode. The outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore is proposed for 50-year interest-free loans.
- Govt enhances support for gig workers with e-shram registration and insurance
- The PM Swanidhi Scheme will be revamped with higher loan limits and the introduction of a ₹30,000 UPI-linked credit card. The government will also facilitate identity card issuance and registration on the e-Shram portal for gig workers, providing insurance coverage for nearly 1 crore workers.
- A new scheme will be implemented for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers, with enhanced loan opportunities through PM Swanidhi.
- Expansion of medical educations
- 10,000 additional seats to be added in medical colleges, aim to add 75,000 seats in next 5 years. 200 cancer centres will be established in 2025-26.
- 5 National Centres of Excellence for skilling to equip youth
- Five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be established to equip the youth with the necessary skills for global opportunities. The Finance Minister also promised global skilling partnerships to enable India to become a key player in global manufacturing.
- Additionally, infrastructure will be expanded in IITs set up after 2015, allowing for 6,500 more students across five IITs.
- A Centre of Excellence for AI in Education will be established with an outlay of ₹500 crore.
- Budget 2025 Live Updates:50,000 ATLs & broadband connectivity for government schools
- 000 Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) will be set up in government schools in the next 5 years to foster scientific temper in young minds. Broadband connectivity is to be provided to all secondary schools.
- Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to empower women and children with nutrition
- Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programs will provide vital nutritional support to 8 crore children, 1 crore mothers, and 20 lakh adolescent girls, focusing on lactating women, adolescent girls, and children.
- Manufacturing mission to boost make in India across all industry sizes
- A new manufacturing mission under the Make in India initiative will support small, medium, and large industries through comprehensive policy backing and a detailed framework. The mission aims to create an ecosystem for solar PV cells, electrolysers, and grid-scale batteries.
- Plans to establish national institute of food tech in Bihar
- National institute of food tech to be established in Bihar to support entrepreneur , development and to enhance farmer income.
- Scheme to focus on manufacture of sustainable toys with a Made in India brand
- For the toys sector, the government will implement a scheme to make India a global manufacturing hub.
- FM unveils focus scheme for footwear and leather industry
- The Finance Minister announced a dedicated scheme for India’s footwear and leather sector, expected to generate employment for 22 lakh individuals, achieve a revenue of ₹4 lakh crore, and boost exports to over ₹1.1 lakh crore.
- New scheme announced for SC/ST women offering 5-year term loans
- A new scheme has been launched to offer term loans with a five-year tenure, benefiting 5 lakh women from SC/ST communities.
- FoF contribution of ₹10,000 crore to be set up
- New Fund of Funds (FoF) with fresh expanded scope & fresh contribution of ₹10,000 crore to be set up. FoF for startups received commitments for over ₹9 lakh crore.
- Credit guarantee cover for MSMEs to be increased
- Credit guarantee cover will be enhanced from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore for micro-enterprises leading to additional ₹1.5 lakh crore credit in next 5 years. To help achieve higher tech upgradation and better access to capital, investment and turnover limit for all MSMEs enhanced to 2.5 & 2X respectively.
- India Post to evolve into a leading public logistics provider
- India Post is set to be transformed into a major public logistics organisation. With the support of India Post Payments Bank and 2.4 lakh dak sevaks, it aims to become a catalyst for rural logistics and development.
- ‘Atmanirbharta Mission’ for pulses launched
- ‘Atmanirbharta Mission’ for pulses launched; Programme to be spread over 6 years aimed at bringing about self-sufficiency in pulses production
- National mission for edible oil and seeds aims at AatmaNirbharta in the sector. Consumption of pulses has increased significantly. push Self Sufficiency in Pulses in tur, Urad, Masoor. Government plans to launch 6 year Atmanirbhata Mission for pulses.
- Kisan Credit Card facilitates loans for 7.07 farmers
- Loan limit will be increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh under KCC. To augment urea supply, a plant 12.7 lakh metric tonne will be set up in Assam.
- FM Announces Makhana Board in Bihar for value addition and processing
- A Makhana Board will be set up in Bihar to enhance processing and value addition. The board will offer support and trade-related technologies while ensuring that farmers benefit from all relevant government schemes.
- India’s growth & reforms set stage for ‘Sabka Vikas’ in next 5 years
- “Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. Our development track record of the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period. We see the next five years as a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, stimulating balanced growth of all regions,” says Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Budget 2025 Speech.
- FM announces Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna
- FM announces Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna in partnership with states. Scheme to cover 100 Districts. Says 1.7 crore farmers will be benefited.
- Aims to generate opportunities in rural areas so that migration is an option and not a necessity.
- Viksit Bharat Vision focus on poverty eradication, youth, farmers & women
- Viksit Bharat encompasses zero poverty. This years budget proposals span 10 broad areas. Gareeb, youth and ann daata and nari, to continue to be the focus, says FM.
- Focus is to accelerate growth
- Focus of this budget is to accelerate growth, says FM
- FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive presentation begins
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget in the parliament.
