President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday offered ‘dahi-cheeni’ (curd and sugar), a traditional gesture believed to bring good luck, to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of her presentation of the Union Budget 2025.
This customary act took place during a visit by FM Sitharaman to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was greeted by the President. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, was also present during the meeting, and the Finance Minister was seen discussing the key aspects of the upcoming Budget with President Murmu.
After the meeting, FM Sitharaman proceeded to Parliament, where she will attend a Cabinet meeting to ratify the Budget before its formal presentation. She is set to present her record eighth consecutive Union Budget at 11 am in the Lok Sabha. The Budget speech will cover the government’s fiscal policies, revenue and expenditure proposals, taxation reforms, and other significant announcements.
Meanwhile, the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Friday projected India’s economy to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in the next financial year (2025-26). The survey highlighted that India’s economic fundamentals remain strong, supported by a stable external account, fiscal consolidation, and steady private consumption.
The government’s focus will be on strengthening long-term industrial growth by investing in research and development (R&D), supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and promoting capital goods. These efforts aim to boost productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness.
According to the survey, food inflation is expected to ease in Q4 of FY25 due to seasonal declines in vegetable prices and the arrival of the Kharif harvest. Additionally, good Rabi production is expected to help stabilize food prices in the first half of FY26. However, risks to inflation remain from adverse weather conditions and rising international agricultural prices.