In her eighth budget, Nirmala Sitharaman strikes a delicate balance between stimulating growth and staying true to fiscal consolidation, aiming for a sustainable economic future amid global uncertainty.

The budget does not offer a realistic road map to resolve the critical problems of unemployment, poor pay packages and underskilling.

FM Sitharaman donned a Madhubani silk saree as she presented her eighth budget, highlighting Bihar projects. The opposition clashed over Kumbh deaths but fell silent as she announced zero tax on Rs 12L income.

Highlights: FM Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement on February 1 brings a gift for the Indian middle class with no tax payable up to ₹12 lakh income.

We have heard the voice of middle class who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers', Sitharaman said

Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people". Sitharaman - who presented her record eight consecutive budget on Saturday - said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes but it took time to convince the

Overall, the Budget focuses on providing significant benefits to the middle class by reducing the tax rates and thereby increasing the take home pay for individuals. It is clear that the Budget is aiming to further promote adoption of the new regime.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the the tax proposal will allow people to have more money in their hands.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully supportive of the idea to cut taxes in the Union Budget 2025, it took time to convince the bureaucrats.