Introduction
As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, citizens across India are watching closely, hoping for relief, reform, and renewed growth. With rising inflation, unemployment concerns, and the AI-tech shift reshaping industries, the common man is hoping for a budget that reflects ground realities and offers tangible solutions.
Key Expectations from the 2025 Budget
1. Tax Relief for Salaried Individuals
Many salaried employees expect:
- An increase in the basic exemption limit from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- Higher deductions under Section 80C (currently ₹1.5 lakh).
- Simplified tax regime options with better benefits.
Why it matters: With rising living costs and stagnant salary hikes, tax relief can offer immediate financial relief.
2. Focus on Employment Generation
Youth unemployment is a major concern. The government may:
- Launch new skill development schemes.
- Offer tax breaks to startups hiring fresh graduates.
- Support MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) to generate jobs.
Why it matters: India’s demographic dividend must be empowered through meaningful employment.
3. Increased Health Sector Spending
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed India’s fragile healthcare infrastructure. In 2025, people expect:
- Higher allocation to public hospitals and health insurance.
- More AI-powered health diagnostics at rural PHCs.
- A roadmap for universal healthcare.
Why it matters: Affordable healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
4. Education Reform & EdTech Support
The New Education Policy (NEP) is under implementation, and citizens want:
- Increased spending on digital infrastructure in government schools.
- Support for edtech platforms in regional languages.
- Scholarships for rural and marginalized students.
Why it matters: Quality education can bridge the rural-urban divide.
5. Price Control on Essentials
With food prices rising again, expectations include:
- Subsidies for cooking oil, pulses, and fuel.
- Strengthened PDS (Public Distribution System).
- Regulatory action against hoarding and price manipulation.
Why it matters: Inflation directly affects the daily budget of every household.
6. Affordable Housing and Urban Infrastructure
Urban and semi-urban families want:
- Increased subsidy under PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana).
- Focus on smart, green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.
- Interest rate support for homebuyers.
Why it matters: Everyone deserves a dignified living space.
Expert Voices: What Economists Say
Economists believe that while fiscal discipline is key, populist measures may dominate the budget ahead of the 2025 Lok Sabha elections. Balancing capital expenditure with social welfare will be crucial.
Conclusion
The 2025 Budget is more than just numbers—it’s about restoring public confidence. As India aims to become a $5 trillion economy, the government must ensure that growth includes everyone—from the tech-driven cities to the farmers in the villages.
The budget must not just balance books, but also balance lives.
