Highlights of Union Budget 2025-26

Part A

Budget Estimates 2025-26

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Develop Agri Districts Programme for 100 districts, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
Aatmanirbharta in Pulses: 6-year mission for Tur, Urad, and Masoor pulses.
Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits: To improve production, supply, processing, and farmer prices.
Makhana Board in Bihar: For production, processing, and marketing of Makhana.
National Mission on High Yielding Seeds: Aimed at improving seed research and availability.
Fisheries: Sustainable harnessing framework for Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: 5-year mission to enhance cotton farming productivity.
Enhanced Credit through KCC: Loan limit under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
Urea Plant in Assam: A 12.7 lakh metric tons capacity plant to be set up.

Revised MSME Classification: Investment and turnover limits for MSMEs enhanced to 2.5 and 2 times respectively.
Credit Cards for Micro Enterprises: ₹5 lakh limit for 10 lakh cards to be issued in the first year.
Fund of Funds for Startups: New ₹10,000 crore fund to be set up.
Scheme for First-time Entrepreneurs: Term-loans up to ₹2 crore for 5 lakh women, SCs, and STs.
Footwear & Leather Sector Scheme: To enhance competitiveness and employability in the sector.
Toy Sector Scheme: India to become a global hub for innovative and sustainable toys.
Support for Food Processing: National Institute of Food Technology to be set up in Bihar.
National Manufacturing Mission: Further “Make in India” push across industries.

Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0: Increased nutritional support cost norms.
Atal Tinkering Labs: 50,000 labs in government schools in 5 years.
Broadband Connectivity: To be provided to all government secondary schools and PHCs.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme: Digital-form books in Indian languages for education.
National Centres of Excellence for Skilling: 5 centres for skilling in global expertise.
Expansion of IITs Capacity: Infrastructure for 6,500 additional students.
Centre of Excellence in AI for Education: ₹500 crore for AI in education.
Expansion of Medical Education: 10,000 additional seats in medical colleges next year.
Day Care Cancer Centres: 200 centres in district hospitals by 2025-26.
PM SVANidhi Revamp: Enhanced loans and UPI linked credit cards for street vendors.
Social Security for Gig Workers: Healthcare and identity cards for gig workers.

Public-Private Partnership in Infrastructure: 3-year pipeline of projects for infrastructure ministries.
Support to States: ₹1.5 lakh crore for interest-free loans for state capital expenditure.
Asset Monetization Plan 2025-30: ₹10 lakh crore for new projects.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Extended to 2028 with enhanced outlay.
Urban Challenge Fund: ₹1 lakh crore for urban growth and development.
Nuclear Energy Mission: ₹20,000 crore for small modular reactors.
Shipbuilding: Revamped policy with Maritime Development Fund of ₹25,000 crore.
UDAN Scheme: Enhanced regional connectivity with 120 new destinations.
Greenfield Airport in Bihar: New airport announced alongside Patna airport expansion.
Western Koshi Canal Project: Financial support for Mithilanchal project.
Mining Sector Reforms: Policy for recovery of critical minerals from tailings.
SWAMIH Fund 2: ₹15,000 crore for completing 1 lakh dwelling units.
Tourism for Employment-led Growth: Development of top 50 tourist destinations.

Export Promotion Mission: With sectoral and ministerial targets.
BharatTradeNet: Unified platform for trade documentation and financing solutions.
National Framework for GCC: To promote Global Capability Centres in Tier 2 cities.

FDI in Insurance: FDI limit raised from 74% to 100% for companies investing premiums in India.
NaBFID Credit Enhancement: For corporate bonds in infrastructure.
Grameen Credit Score: Framework for rural SHG credit needs.
Pension Sector Reforms: A forum for coordination and product development.
Regulatory Reforms Committee: To review non-financial sector regulations.
Investment Friendliness Index: To be launched in 2025 for competitive federalism.
Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0: To decriminalize over 100 provisions in laws.

Personal Income Tax: No tax for income up to ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh for salaried individuals).
Revised Tax Structure:
- ₹0-4 lakh: Nil
- ₹4-8 lakh: 5%
- ₹8-12 lakh: 10%
- ₹12-16 lakh: 15%
- ₹16-20 lakh: 20%
- ₹20-24 lakh: 25%
- Above ₹24 lakh: 30%
Tax Relief: About ₹1 lakh crore forgone in direct taxes.

Charitable Trusts: Registration period increased from 5 to 10 years.
Self-Occupied Properties: Exemption for two properties, not limited to one.
Ease of Doing Business: Scheme for determining arm’s length price for international transactions over a 3-year period.

Tax Certainty for Electronics Manufacturing: Safe harbour for non-residents investing in electronics manufacturing.
Tonnage Tax Scheme: Benefits extended to inland vessels.
Start-Ups: Period of incorporation for start-ups extended by 5 years.
Sovereign and Pension Funds: Investment date extension to March 2030.

Customs Tariff Rationalization: Removal of seven tariff rates and effective duty incidence.
Relief on Lifesaving Drugs: 36 drugs fully exempted from Basic Customs Duty.
Support to Domestic Manufacturing: Exemption of BCD on critical minerals, textile machinery, electronic goods, and lithium-ion battery components.
Shipping Sector: Extended exemption on raw materials for shipbuilding.
Trade Facilitation: Extended time limits for provisional assessments and end-use of imported inputs.