Budget Session 2025 Live: 8th Pay Commission, Unified Pension Scheme and more - President Murmu lauds key reforms

• First Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav was organised to enable entire country to see potential of eight states of northeast: President Murmu.
• My government has made efforts to end feeling of alienation in people of northeast: President Murmu.
• Many employment opportunities being created as various steps taken for economic empowerment of cooperative sector: President Murmu.
• Government has started 'Mission Mausam' at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore to make India weather-ready and climate smart: President Murmu.

• "The government is working rapidly in the direction of One Nation, One Election and Waqf (Amendment) Bill. In the last one decade, my government has given new energy to the journey of 'Viksit Bharat'," she said.
•  Earlier, in her speech on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, Murmu had praised the 'One Nation One Election' bill as a groundbreaking reform, calling it a measure that will "redefine the terms of good governance." (Read More)

• My govt considers small businessmen spine of economy, says President Murmu
• She also highlights the uptick in infra allocation
• Over 1 crore Divyang cards distributed for inclusive growth, says President Murmu
• Welfare of Dalits, Tribals a key priority of my govt, says President Murmu
• She says that 30 new medical colleges have been opened in tribal areas

• The government is actively enhancing efficiency in cybersecurity, says President Murmu.
• Railways will soon link Kashmir to Kanyakumari with the completion of the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail project.
• The government has worked with determination to eliminate policy paralysis.

• India is emerging as a major global player in digital technology, says President Murmu.
• The government has launched the 'India AI Mission' to enhance India's role in Artificial Intelligence.
• A modern education system is being established through the National Education Policy.
• Banking and Digi Payment Sakhis are playing a crucial role in connecting people in remote areas to the financial system.

• 1. Awas Yojana
• 2. Swamitva Cards
• 3. PM KISAN
• 4. Ayushman Bharat
• 5. MUDRA Yojana
• 6. PM Vidya Lakshmi Yojana
• 7. E-Gram Swaraj Yojana
• 8. Vande Bharat
• 9. One Nation and One Election
• 10. Viksit Bharat
• 11. PM Ujwala Yojana
• 12. Saubhagya Yojana
• 13. Jal Jeevan Mission
• 14. 8th Pay Commission
• 15. Unified Pension Scheme
• 16. RERA
• 17. UDAAN
• 18. Jan Aushadi Kendra

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, President Murmu highlighted the significant achievements of women in India, expressing pride in their increasing presence in various fields. She noted that women are now flying fighter aircraft, joining the police force, leading corporate enterprises, and bringing glory to the nation by winning Olympic medals.

President Murmu stated that her government is committed to fulfilling the middle class's dream of homeownership. She also described the Waqf Bill as a progressive step taken by her administration.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu said, "Two months ago, we celebrated 75 years since the adoption of our Constitution, and just days ago, we marked 75 years of our journey as a nation. On behalf of all Indians, I pay tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar and all members of the Constitution Committee."

• President Murmu is addressing both Houses of Parliament.
• She began her address with condolences over Maha Kumbh tragedy
• She also expressed grief over demise of ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh

President Droupadi Murmu has arrived at the Parliament to address both houses. The President arrived in the traditional buggy.

In his pre-Budget speech, PM Modi also spoke about the focus on his third term. It will be all about 'innovation, inclusion and investment,' said PM Modi about his government's agenda for upcoming fiscal.

President Murmu's convoy departs from Raisina Hill towards Parliament, where she will address a joint session of both Houses.

• "Ahead of the Budget Session, I bow to Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity..."
• This Budget will bring new energy to the people.
• Innovation, inclusion, and investment are the pillars of economic growth.
• The Centre and states must work together in harmony.
• Several decisions will be made to empower women.
• I pray to Goddess Lakshmi to bless the poor and middle class.
• No foreign-backed issues will be raised during this session.
• It is a moment of great pride that India has completed 75 years as a democratic nation and has firmly established itself on the global stage. (Read More)

• International challenges are the key factor behind the decline in GDP growth.
• A decline in exports compared to GDP is anticipated.'
• The Economic Survey may express concerns over dependence on China in the manufacturing sector.

There is no 'videshi chingaari' before Budget session for first time since 2014, says PM Modi during his address.

'Siddhi Buddhi Prade Devi, Bhukti Mukti Pra’dayini Mantra Murte Sada Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namo’stute Oh Goddess who bestows intelligence and success, bestower of worldly enjoyment and liberation as well, with the mantra always as thy form, Maha Lakshmi, we bow to thee.'

• PM Modi says that this is the first full budget of his third term.
• He says that the focus will remain on inclusive development
• Praying to Goddess of Wealth Maa Laxmi, PM Modi says that the Goddess should remain benevolent on middle class.
• India will be a developed nation when it completes 100 years of independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing media ahead of the beginning of Budget Session.

The economy has experienced a bittersweet year, with a strong first half where growth exceeded expectations, even surprising the government. However, the latter half proved challenging, culminating in a subtle yet evident tussle between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Finance Ministry over responsibility for slowing growth, persistent inflation, and the resulting uncertainty in policymaking.

India has been among the world’s fastest-growing economies, with expectations that it will reach a $4 trillion economy in 2024-25 and emerge as the third-largest economy globally by 2027.

Gold prices surged to a record high on Thursday, driven by safe-haven demand amid U.S. tariff threats, while investors awaited a key inflation report for insights into the Federal Reserve's policy direction. As of 11:07 a.m. (1603 GMT), spot gold rose 1.4% to $2,796.15 per ounce, after reaching an all-time high of $2,798.24 earlier in the session. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures climbed 2% to $2,824. (Read More)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address media ahead of the commencement of Budget Session of Parliament.

The Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.6% in 2025, driven largely by strong private consumption and investment, according to a United Nations report. The report also noted that South Asia's economic growth is set to remain robust this year, primarily fueled by India's strong performance.

As per the schedule released by Parliament officials, the Economic Survey will be tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha at 11:00 am. Subsequently, the pre-budget document will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha at 2:00 pm.

While there is some time left in the release of the Economic Survey documents, a report by CNBC- Awaaz has given an update on key numbers of GDP growth. As per the TV report, the survey is likely to peg the GDP growth figures below 7 percent for upcoming fiscal. The Economic Survey will also talk about the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market.

Tata Consumer, Titan Company, Bharat Electronics, and Maruti Suzuki were among the major gainers on the Nifty, while Bharti Airtel, Coal India, NTPC, Adani Enterprises, and Bajaj Finserv were the top losers. (Check live updates)

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a directive stating that, starting February 1, the central system will reject any transactions containing special characters in their UPI transaction IDs. To align with UPI technical specifications, NPCI has advised all UPI ecosystem participants to generate transaction IDs using only alphanumeric characters. (Read More)

• The Economic Survey is typically presented a day before the Union Budget, except in election years, when the government instead presents an interim financial statement or a Vote on Account, with the full version released after the formation of the new government.
• However, last year marked a departure from this tradition, as the government presented a 'review' on January 31, 2024, ahead of the interim budget for 2024-25. The Economic Survey for 2023-24, on the other hand, was presented a day before the full Budget in July 2023, following the swearing-in of the new government. (Read More)

Economists polled by Reuters predict that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will reduce its main policy rate on February 7, followed by one more cut in the next quarter. Their outlook remains largely unchanged from a month ago. This steady forecast comes despite recent data revealing a slowdown in economic growth, which dropped to an annual rate of 5.4% in the July-September quarter, significantly lower than the 8.2% growth recorded in the previous fiscal year. (Read More)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey in Parliament, marking the first day of the Budget Session. Crafted under the direction of the Chief Economic Advisor, the survey serves as a report card for the Indian economy, evaluating key performance indicators from the past year and highlighting historical trends. It also provides an economic forecast for the upcoming fiscal year. Stay tuned for live updates on the Economic Survey as we await crucial announcements.