'Garib, Youth, Annadata, Nari': Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s key focus domains in Budget 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday, outlined transformative reforms aimed at accelerating India’s growth across six key domains: taxation, power, urban development, mining, the financial sector, and regulatory policies. With a focus on building a robust economy, the budget aims to unlock India’s potential under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership.

Here are the primary focuses of Budget 2025 announced by FM Nirmala Sitharaman:

1. Empowering poor, youth, farmers and women: The budget prioritises the upliftment of the "gareeb" (poor), youth, farmers ("annadata"), and women ("nari"). Development measures will span 10 broad areas, including boosting agricultural growth, rural prosperity, and productivity. The government’s aim is to foster inclusivity and ensure everyone benefits from this growth.

2. Vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’: Sitharaman outlined a vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’, focusing on zero poverty, quality education for all, and comprehensive healthcare. The initiative aims to make India a developed nation with a high standard of living, accessible to all citizens, irrespective of background.

3. Boosting agricultural growth with PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana: The government will implement the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, which targets 100 districts with low agricultural yields and limited credit access. This initiative will impact 1.7 crore farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity through crop diversification, better irrigation, and improved storage facilities. The government will also introduce a mission to achieve self-reliance in pulses, benefiting farmers and enhancing production.

4. Strengthening MSMEs for a global manufacturing hub: The budget aims to empower 5.7 crore MSMEs, crucial to India’s manufacturing sector. With MSMEs contributing 45 per cent of the nation’s exports, the government is enhancing investment and turnover limits, providing them with the support to scale up, innovate, and create more job opportunities.

5. Supporting food processing and rural economy: A National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management will be established in Bihar to promote food processing activities in the eastern region. This initiative will help farmers by adding value to their produce and create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region.

6. Investment in people and innovation: The government is focusing on investing in people through programs like Sashakt Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, which provide nutritional support to over 8 crore children, pregnant women, and adolescent girls. Additionally, a major push towards innovation will be made through investments in infrastructure and the creation of 3 PPP proposals in each infrastructure ministry.