Rajesh Magow, the Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, has shared his expectations for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26, emphasizing the long-standing demand of the hospitality sector for "industry" status. Speaking ahead of the budget presentation on February 1, Magow stressed the importance of addressing this demand to unlock the full potential of the hospitality and tourism sectors. In an interview with PTI, Magow highlighted the government's commendable efforts

With the Modi government set to present its second full budget for the third term in power, the middle and lower-income groups across India are hopeful for key reforms that could alleviate their financial burdens. The anticipated reforms in Budget 2025 include tax relief measures, simplification of income tax laws, and a focus on financial literacy, insurance, and retirement savings. Key Expectations from Budget 2025 Insurance Sector Reforms:

The Role of National Education Policy (NEP) in the Union Budget 2025: The Union Budget 2025-26 is crucial for shaping the future of India's education system, especially with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 being a significant focus. The BJP-led NDA government, entering its third term, continues to prioritize education and skill development. The NEP aims to modernize educati

Months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget in February to manage the government’s immediate financial needs. After the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term, she unveiled the comprehensive Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on July 23. While both budgets play a significant role in the nation's fiscal planning, their objectives and scope are different. An interim budget is a temporary financi

The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is expected to include provisions for promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in India. According to sources, a special policy package for AI is being formulated, with a focus on AI-skilling schemes and the establishment of AI centres. Additionally, the budget is likely to allocate funds to support these initiatives, ensuring measures are in place to safeguard employment in light of AI's rapid advancement. The Ministry of Finance h

The sightscreen at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, damaged by Rinku Singh's powerful six during a T20I against South Africa in December 2023, is still awaiting repairs after 394 days. The incident, which saw Rinku hit a gigantic six off Aiden Markram, left the press box’s sightscreen shattered, but the repair has been delayed due to budget issues and the high-altitude location of the press box. The official responsible for the stadium’s maintenance, Terrance, explained tha

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

On Thursday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a new mobile application, Hamara Bihar Hamari Sadak, aimed at enabling citizens to report poor road conditions in even the remotest areas of the state. The app was introduced at the Chief Minister's official residence, with Minister for Rural Works Ashok Choudhary and Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena also present for the occasion. The initiative is intended to utilize state-of-the-art technology for better maintenan

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing opposition lawmakers of undermining the state and threatening the stability of the nation’s governance. This move comes amid a fierce parliamentary conflict over the budget bill for the next fiscal year. The opposition Democratic Party has slashed key portions of the budget, including funds for national security, law enforcement, and Yoon's office, in a dispute that has paralyzed the legislative

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

As of October 2024, the Union government's fiscal deficit for the financial year 2024-25 stands at 46.5% of the total budgetary target, amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh crore. This is in line with the government's fiscal consolidation strategy, which aims to bring down the fiscal deficit to 4.9% of GDP for the year, an improvement from the previous fiscal year's target of 5.6%. The fiscal deficit gap, which represents the difference between government expenditure and revenue, is

In the 2024 Andhra Pradesh state budget, the NDA-led government has allocated Rs 3445 crore for the development of Amaravati, the state's proposed capital. This marks a significant boost for the capital region, signaling a renewed commitment to its growth and infrastructure development. The Rs 3445 crore allocation includes: Rs 3000 crore for the development of basic social infrastructure in Amaravati, focusing on essential services and urban d

The Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister, Payyavula Keshav, presented a Budget of Rs 2,94,427 crore for the financial year 2024-25, marking a 5.40% increase from the previous year. The budget allocation includes Rs 2,35,916 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs 32,712 crore for capital expenditure. The estimated revenue deficit is around Rs 34,743 crore, with a fiscal deficit of approximately Rs 68,742 crore, accounting for 4.19% and 2.12% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) respectively.

On November 11th, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's NDA government will present its first budget in Andhra Pradesh. Amid political tensions, the session will address the state’s financial allocations after a vote-on-account. Will the YSR Congress participate? Detailed Description Five months after securing a decisive mandate, the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to introduce its first full budget on November

In a surprising turn of events, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's convoy was involved in a major road accident in Thiruvananthapuram, attracting widespread attention on social media. The incident occurred at Vamanapuram Park Junction when the CM's convoy, traveling without prior traffic regulation, collided with multiple vehicles. As the convoy was moving along with the public, a scooter unexpectedly crossed in front of the lead vehicle. The abrupt braking led to a ch

Andhra Pradesh's road infrastructure has long been a point of contention, particularly during YS Jagan's administration, which faced widespread criticism for neglecting the state’s deteriorating road conditions. Despite public outcry and even criticism from visiting celebrities, Jagan and his ministers defended their record, leaving citizens frustrated with unsafe and poorly maintained roadways. This neglect contributed to a significant backlash in the 2024 general elections, wh

The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh is set to revamp the state's road infrastructure, allocating a substantial ₹10,000 crore for new constructions and repairs. This initiative marks a significant shift from the previous YCP regime, which faced criticism for failing to lay new roads and clear contractor dues from 2019 to 2024. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has proposed a tiered vehicle insurance premium system that would link costs directly to the number of traffic violations recorded against a vehicle. In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Saxena emphasized that this system could incentivize safer driving habits, reduce accidents, and alleviate the financial burden on insurers from frequent claims. Citing alarming accident statistics, including over 4.37 lakh road accidents in 2022, Saxen

Chandrababu Naidu has emerged as a pivotal figure in the NDA government, significantly influencing the allocation of funds to Andhra Pradesh following the recent elections. With the support of 18 MPs, including Janasena, Naidu played a crucial role in helping Narendra Modi’s BJP retain power for a third consecutive term. This political leverage has translated into substantial financial assistance for Andhra Pradesh, addressing key developmental issues in the state. The 2024 bu