Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people", and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes for middle class but it took time to convince the bureaucrats.

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

This significant national financial blueprint outlines key economic policies, reforms, and allocations that will shape India's growth trajectory.

The Centre has introduced customs duty rationalisation to ensure that the Indian economy becomes aatmanirbhar (self-reliant), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a post-budget interview with NDTV.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the North Block, which houses the Ministry of Finance, ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2025.

The spotlight this time would also be on spending on key schemes like NREGA as well as key sectors like health and education.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the top priorities of Budget 2025 will be to boost growth and enhance the spending power of the middle class.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, attends the Cabinet Meeting before presenting the Union Budget 2025. The Economic Survey projects India's economy to grow between 6.