Author: Deshwale Editorial Desk

On 1st February 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025, which triggered a mixed response in the Indian stock market. While the benchmark indices witnessed a slight decline, certain sectors, particularly those linked to consumption, saw significant gains. The budget’s focus on reviving consumption, boosting capital expenditure, and introducing sector-specific measures played a key role in shaping market sentiment. Benchmark Indices See a Dip  The benchmark indices, BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, experienced a marginal decline following the budget announcement. The Nifty 50 fell by 0.56% to close at 23,372.35 points, while the BSE Sensex dropped by…

India’s real GDP is forecasted to grow at 6.4% and nominal GDP at 9.7% for FY25, according to the first advance estimates. The government projects a nominal GDP growth of 10.1% in FY26. Retail inflation remained under control in FY 2024-25, staying within the 4±2% range. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expects inflation to moderate to 4.6% in Q1 and 4.0% in Q2 of FY26. The fiscal deficit target for FY 2024-25 is set at 4.8% of GDP, with a path to bring it below 4.5% in FY 2025-26. Central government debt is expected to decline to 56.1% of…

The much anticipated Hindi action thriller Deva was released in cinemas across India on Friday 31 January 2025. Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, the film stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead role as a rebellious police officer, alongside Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Pravesh Rana, and Kubbra Sait. Deva follows the journey of Dev Ambre, played by Shahid, a fearless cop tasked with investigating a high-profile murder case. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a network of corruption and betrayal. Assisted by journalist Diya (Pooja Hegde) and Deputy Commissioner Farhan Khan (Pavail Gulati), Deva finds himself battling powerful forces…

The Union Budget 2025-26 proposes a ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund to implement the ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’ initiative. This fund will finance up to 25% of the cost of eligible projects, with at least 50% funded through bonds, loans, or public-private partnerships. An allocation of ₹10,000 crore is set aside for the 2025-26 fiscal year. A National Geospatial Mission is also being launched to modernise land records and urban planning using PM Gati Shakti, aimed at improving infrastructure design and development. The Budget further focuses on enhancing the welfare of urban poor and vulnerable groups. A new scheme…

The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated Rs 67,000 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission, with the initiative now extended until 2028. This budget boost aims to achieve 100% tap water coverage for rural households by 2028. Since its launch in 2019, the mission has provided potable tap water to 15 crore households, benefiting 80% of India’s rural population. Over the next three years, the mission will focus on enhancing infrastructure quality and the operation and maintenance (O&M) of rural water schemes.To ensure sustainability, state governments and union territories will sign MoUs focusing on citizen-centric water service delivery. The government…

The Union Budget 2025-26 has proposed the establishment of BharatTradeNet (BTN), a unified digital public infrastructure aimed at simplifying international trade documentation and financing solutions. The platform will align with global standards and complement the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP). Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Global Integration The budget highlights the government’s focus on enhancing domestic manufacturing to better integrate India’s economy with global supply chains. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting the domestic electronic equipment industry to leverage opportunities in Industry 4.0. National Framework for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) A National Framework for States will be formulated to guide…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025-26 today, outlining a series of ambitious plans to transform India’s education and skilling landscape. The budget focuses on strengthening innovation, digital learning, and research while expanding opportunities in higher education and medical studies. One of the key announcements was the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years. These labs aim to nurture creativity, scientific thinking, and problem solving skills among students. By encouraging hands on learning, the government hopes to inspire the next generation of innovators. To ensure equal access to digital resources,…

Today, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025. The Union Budget, outlining several adjustments in customs duties that will influence the prices of various goods, needs a look to know what’s getting cheap and what’s getting costlier for us. The changes announced in the Union Budget aim to promote domestic manufacturing, support key industries, and make essential goods more accessible. Here’s a detailed breakdown of items expected to become more affordable and those likely to see price increases: Items Becoming Cheaper 1. Life-Saving Medicines: The government has fully exempted 36 life-saving drugs, including those for cancer and…

The Union Budget 2025-26 introduces significant allocations to bolster India’s maritime and aviation industries. A Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of ₹25,000 crore is proposed to provide long-term financing for the maritime sector. The government will contribute up to 49% of this fund, with the remainder sourced from ports and private entities. This initiative aims to enhance competitiveness and support the maritime industry’s growth. The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy is set for a revamp to mitigate cost disadvantages. This includes introducing credit notes for shipbreaking in Indian yards to promote a circular economy. Additionally, large ships above a specified…

Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has presented a series of Union Budgets that have significantly shaped India’s economic landscape. These budgets, presented by Finance Ministers Arun Jaitley (2014-2019) and Nirmala Sitharaman (2019-present), have introduced groundbreaking reforms, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), focused on infrastructure development, and aimed at fostering a digital and self-reliant India. Here is an overview: The Arun Jaitley Era (2014-2019): Laying the Foundation for Reform 2014-15: A New Beginning Arun Jaitley’s first budget in July 2014 set the tone for the Modi government’s economic agenda. Key highlights included: 2015-16: Building…