Budget 2025 Highlights Expectations: Railway, GST, Tech, Real Estate, and Education Among Key Focus Areas

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Enhancing Real Estate Development with Green Initiatives and Connectivity  

"To propel the real estate sector forward, the budget must focus on policy measures that encourage sustainable development. Introducing tax rebates or incentives for adopting green building technologies and renewable energy solutions will align the sector with India’s sustainability goals. Furthermore, a streamlined single-window clearance mechanism can drastically reduce approval timelines and operational costs, enabling developers to focus on delivering high-quality projects. Investment in urban infrastructure, like metro connectivity and road networks, will also create opportunities for real estate development in peripheral areas", says Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill, Managing Director, Gillco Group.  

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Enhancing Retail Growth via E-Commerce Policies, Logistics, and Consumption Stimulus

“As the retail sector continues evolving according to changing consumer patterns and technology, the Union Budget 2025 should prioritize digital transformation, infrastructure development, and consumption facilitation. As the Indian retail environment increasingly turns to e-commerce, the sector awaits more regulatory clarity and support for online retail platforms. The industry is constantly looking for measures that would make e-commerce policies more streamlined, GST compliance easier, and offer tax incentives to small and medium retailers to adapt to digital tools, thus making them more efficient and reaching greater markets.

The retail sector heavily relies on logistics and supply chain networks, hence, it's likely to see infrastructure development investment, especially in areas such as last-mile delivery and warehousing. Measures under PM Gati Shakti are expected to further reduce transportation costs and make the supply chain more efficient, which will benefit both physical stores and online businesses. 

For consumers, we anticipate an increase in tax exemptions or rebates for stimulating discretionary spending, especially on discretionary goods and services commonly used such as clothes, electronics, and home products.  Such consumption spending is vital for continuing retail growth, and targeted assistance to middle-income households is expected to significantly contribute to this.

Overall, the 2025 Budget is set to ensure further strengthening of the retail sector in India through digitalization, infrastructure, and consumer expenditure, laying the foundation for a resilient and competitive ecosystem that can thrive both in the physical and digital marketplaces", says Mr Rajeev kr Gupta, MD, Thermocool Home Appliances LTD. 

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Boosting Homeownership, Urban Renewal, And Sustainable Development 

“As India continues facing urbanization and increased demand for housing, the real estate sector awaits more incentives from the 2025 Union Budget to fuel growth. Affordable housing, infrastructure development, and sustainability remain key expectations. The industry will benefit from the continuance of tax advantages for low-cost house developers, and there could also be additional funding for schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and PMAY, which would remain a core initiative to fill up the country's housing deficit.

We expect the government to introduce measures to make home loans more accessible, especially to middle-income and first-time homebuyers as interest rates are stabilizing and inflationary pressures are expected to ease. The sector expects direct support through rebates under income tax or reduced GST rates on residential properties further nudging home ownership.

Other critical expectation areas include encouraging eco-friendly and sustainable building practices. The Budget is expected to outline tax incentives to developers, incorporating eco-friendly technologies such as energy-efficient designs and materials. Simplifying regulating processes alongside incentives to redevelop old, underutilized properties would spur city regeneration and renewal. 

We expect the 2025 Budget to continue with the initiatives from the previous year and to further continue creating an environment geared towards affordable housing and sustainable development as well as modernization in India’s real estate", says Sher Singh Rathore, Founder of BRIC-X INFRA PVT. LTD 

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Tax Relief, Green Projects, and Streamlined Regulations in Focus 

"The Indian real estate market is starting 2025 with a positive outlook, thanks to strong growth in 2024. Key factors driving this optimism include higher housing loan interest deductions (now up to ₹5 lakh) and the sector's role as an important infrastructure asset, which is crucial for affordable and rental housing. The luxury housing market is also doing well, with new opportunities in growing areas and innovative investments attracting more attention from investors.

We really hope for simplification of the overall GST taxation. Otherwise, it would be detrimental to the sector which is also India's largest employment-generating industry. It can have effects like price inflation in the overall housing market, causing repercussions for both developers and consumers. Moreover, we also hope for simplification of the regulatory approvals as well as incentives for green projects, moving forward" says Mr Prashant Khandelwal, CEO, Agami Realty.  

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Accelerating India's Electronics Ecosystem And Digital Transformation 

"The upcoming Union Budget holds immense potential to accelerate growth in the electronics and smartphone manufacturing industries. The growing aspirations of India’s youth, driven by their pursuit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and a digital-first future, underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures and cutting-edge 5G infrastructure. Prioritizing investments in 5G infrastructure and cybersecurity will further support Digital India’s growth by enabling innovation, safeguarding critical systems, and unlocking opportunities across sectors like healthcare and smart cities. 

Expanding the PLI program further to increase the funding forsemiconductors, high-capacity batteries, and display technologies will strengthen India’s value chain, reduce imports, and enhance our global competitiveness. Focused R&D grants for emerging technologies such as AI and IoTwill be a much-needed boost – a significant step towards making India a Vishwaguru in the electronics ecosystem", says Mr. Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, itel India.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Focus On India’s AI Ambitions 

"Winning in the AI era is crucial for retaining India's technological parity with other leading nations. With the India AI Mission and various government initiatives already laying a strong foundation, the Union Budget 2025 provides a valuable opportunity to advance India’s progress using AI. We are hopeful about initiatives that further drive AI innovation, such as investments into wider access to AI computing resources and programs that strengthen AI-specific skills across the workforce. Cultivating innovation hubs, supporting AI startups. Fostering public-private collaborations for access to GPU compute resources can catalyze AI led growth across diverse industries in our country. We are confident that the Union Budget 2025 will bring additional measures to strengthen India's position in AI innovation, empowering AI companies to lead a transformational role across sectors", says Tarun Dua, Founder, E2E Networks Ltd.  

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Aligning Tax Policies For Balanced Investment Landscape

"Over the past few budgets, tax rates for various investment instruments and income streams have been gradually streamlined, reducing exceptions and differential treatments. This has brought several options, such as Fixed Deposits, Debt Mutual Funds and Bonds, onto a level playing field by taxing them similarly".

"This alignment eliminates arbitrage opportunities between instruments and fosters a more balanced investment landscape. Looking ahead to Budget 2025, we anticipate further progress in this direction, and possibly a complete revision in the structure of personal income tax. We may see a much simpler unified approach to taxation, spanning all asset classes in the coming years", says Suresh Darak, Founder, Bondbazaar.
 

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Evolution of Advertising, Tech, And Marketing

“The 2025 Union Budget is expected to lay the groundwork for economic progress and help shape the trajectory for multiple industries and sectors. With India’s startup ecosystem witnessing a surge in the past year, the Government's commitment to supporting innovation and building domestic capacities is commendable.

 As per industry reports, 2024 brought in a rise in India’s software spending which is projected to increase at its highest annual growth rate by 17% in 2025. In terms of the Smart TV OS industry, fresh breakthroughs at the intersection of Advertising, Tech, and Marketing such as the Connected TV boom, fuel curiosity for how the upcoming budget will impact opportunities and global competitiveness.
 As a homegrown brand, we have faced the challenges of competing with global giants and we believe that there is a need for the introduction of policies that prioritize and support local companies dedicated to building solutions for India. We strongly believe that decisive actions will play a key role in developing the sector" says Abhijeet Rajpurohit, COO and Co-Founder, CloudTV.  
 

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Redefining Agriculture and Healthcare for Millions 

"As we approach the upcoming Budget, we hope to see policies that strengthen the backbone of our nation—agriculture and healthcare. Investments in precision farming, sustainable practices, and advanced agri-tech will empower our farmers to overcome challenges and ensure food security. Simultaneously, increased allocation to medical research, rural healthcare infrastructure, and innovative health-tech solutions can bridge critical gaps in accessibility and quality care".

"A visionary Budget has the potential to drive transformative growth in these sectors, benefiting millions of lives", says Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar, Chairman of Organisation De Scalene Foundation. 

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Impact of Capital Gains Tax Reforms

“Following the Union Budget 2024-25, the proposed reduction in long-term capital gains tax on unlisted shares to 12.5% is seen as a positive move, though some refinement is still needed. Listed share stocks, however, saw an increase in STCG to 20% from 15%, and LTCG tax was also raised to 12.5% from 10% to ensure uniform tax slabs. A more equitable capital gains tax policy, such as granting promoters with long-term investments reduced rates, may lessen the financial strain on people who sell their listed shares".

"Incentives for extended share holdings might also be included in the budget, which would encourage long-term capital accumulation. Furthermore, tax exemptions or deductions for capital reinvested could support innovation and corporate expansion while maintaining equitable tax rates", says Krishna Patwari, Founder and Managing Director of WWIPL.  

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Financial Literacy and MSME Capital Support

"As India begins the shift of savings from physical to financial assets, a dedicated fund & initiative from the government aimed at promoting responsible investment practices & literacy of capital markets, especially in sub-urban and rural areas would go a long way in building people’s trust in the markets and helping democratize the imminent wealth creation of the Indian economy. 

"Additionally, expanding the scope and size of the current MSME credit scheme & its corpus would help galvanize businesses that are often ignored by the traditional lenders. These thousands of young Indian businesses hold great growth potential but need timely & accessible capital infusion", says Sankarsh Chanda, Founder & CEO, Savart.  

Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Ed-Tech’s Vision for Economic Empowerment 

"As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the ed-tech sector remains positive about the economic reforms that the government would bring in. The ed-tech industry has played a vital role in terms of providing education and upskilling to large masses across India. Still a big section of India is untouched which are rural and remote areas also a section of people who are not capable of affording education. However, reduction in the GST rates and other subsidies, ease of processing loans to unemployed or weaker sections, tax incentives, etc would be great.

We urge the government to incorporate skill-based training that would make the neo-graduates confident at their work place resulting in increased international trust that would further lead to countries investing in India and will also seed the entrepreneurial drive. The ed-tech industry stands with the policy makers to empower learners and aspires India to be positioned as a global leader in digital education", says Mr. Diwakar Chittora, CEO Intellipaat.    

Budget Expectation Live Updates: Tax incentives for sustainable and smart infrastructure

Ashish Bhutani, CEO, Bhutani Infra said, “The Union Budget 2025 could usher in a new era for India’s real estate sector, particularly in high-growth regions like Uttar Pradesh. As Noida emerges as a prime hub for commercial development, powered by iconic projects like the Bayview Bhutani International Film City and Noida International Airport, there’s a pressing need for policies that simplify and accelerate urban transformation. Implementing single-window clearance for project approvals would reduce bottlenecks and ensure timely execution. Encouraging foreign investments in mixed-use developments and Grade-A offices through investor-friendly measures could position India as a global leader in commercial real estate. Tax incentives for sustainable and smart infrastructure will not only attract global interest but also enhance India’s economic competitiveness. With enhanced government support, the real estate sector can become a driving force behind job creation and the journey towards a world power economy".

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Accelerating India’s Recycling Revolution for E-Waste and Critical Minerals

“India stands at a pivotal moment in its journey toward a recycling revolution, driven by the rapid surge in e-waste generation, which has increased by 73% between 2019 and 2023. The launch of the ‘Critical Minerals Mission’ offers a unique opportunity to address this challenge while building a self-reliant ecosystem for resource recovery.” says Mr. Nitin Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Attero.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Strengthening Water and Sanitation with Focus on Sustainability and Climate Resilience

“We hope the upcoming Union Budget continues to prioritize sustainability and resilience in the water and sanitation sector, building on the progress made in previous allocations. It is essential to focus on ensuring the long-term functionality of water distribution and sanitation infrastructure by addressing operational and financial sustainability. With over 80% of piped water supply dependent on rapidly depleting groundwater, resource sustainability, particularly in agriculture, must be a priority to ensure drinking water security,” says Mr. Bishwadeep Ghose, Country Director for Water For People India.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Boosting Solar Adoption and Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

"India’s clean energy future depends on making solar more accessible, especially for businesses and SMEs looking to make the switch. The upcoming Union Budget is an opportunity to remove financial barriers and encourage adoption. One key step would be restoring 100% accelerated depreciation for solar investments—a policy that once made solar a more viable choice but was later reduced to 40%. Bringing it back would help businesses recover costs faster and drive wider adoption," says Mr. N.P Ramesh, COO and Co-Founder of Orb Energy.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Fostering Innovation and Sustainability through DeepTech and Geospatial Investments

"The Union Budget for 2025-26 is expected to prioritize increasing investments in defense, manufacturing, infrastructure, and sustainable energy initiatives, along with supporting the agricultural sector, ensuring a stable and dispute-free tax environment, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. With programs like ‘Mission Mausam’ in place, we expect more focus on promoting the use of innovative technologies for building a climate-resilient country," says Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Driving EV Adoption in India with Tax Incentives and Infrastructure Support

"India is progressing at a good pace towards EV adoption, with the help of transformative government policies like FAME II and now PM E-Drive. As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the automobile industry is expecting significant development in terms of tax incentives, EV infrastructure, and domestic battery manufacturing. Expanding green financing options and lowering interest rates on EV loans can significantly boost adoption and make it more accessible for both urban and rural consumers," says Gunjan Malhotra, Co-founder of Komaki Electric.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Accelerating India’s EV Ecosystem with Battery-Swapping Infrastructure

"I am optimistic about the upcoming budget and its potential to catalyze India's EV ecosystem. The recently introduced guidelines for battery swapping by the Government of India mark a significant step forward, addressing critical challenges such as range anxiety and lengthy charging times. To truly unlock the potential of this initiative, I hope the budget allocates substantial resources toward building a robust battery-swapping infrastructure", says Vikas Aggarwal, Founder & MD, Ipower Batteries Pvt Ltd.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Accelerating India’s Digital Transformation with AI and Data Infrastructure

"As India moves closer to becoming a global technology hub, the upcoming Union Budget presents a unique opportunity to accelerate our digital transformation journey. To fully harness the potential of AI and emerging technologies, the government should prioritize investments in building intelligent data infrastructure. Robust and scalable data solutions will serve as the backbone for AI readiness, enabling businesses to leverage data efficiently and securely while driving innovation," says Puneet Gupta, VP and MD, NetApp India/SAARC.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Strengthening Electronics and Semiconductor Sectors with PLI and Skill Development

"As we approach Union Budget 2025, we are optimistic about continued government focus on electronics and semiconductor sectors. Previous budgets have shown strong commitment to semiconductor development through increased funding for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighting India’s push for self-reliance and global competitiveness. The mobile accessory manufacturing sector, heavily reliant on semiconductors, stands to benefit greatly from enhanced domestic production. By reducing dependency on imports, a robust semiconductor ecosystem can streamline supply chains, lower costs, and foster innovation in products like power banks, chargers, and cables", says Mr. Ashok Rajpal, Managing Director, Ambrane India.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Prioritizing Infertility Care in India’s Healthcare Strategy

“India stands at a crucial crossroads in addressing the growing challenge of infertility, which carries significant socio-economic implications. Globally, nations like South Korea and Singapore are grappling with record-low Total Fertility Rates (TFR) of 0.72 and 0.97, respectively, while within India, states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka report TFRs below replacement levels. These trends underscore the urgent need for India to act decisively to maintain its demographic stability and provide opportunities for those who aspire to achieve parenthood. The Union Budget for 2025-26 presents a critical opportunity to integrate infertility management as a core component of public healthcare” says Dr. Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Boosting Growth in India’s Real Estate Sector

"With the upcoming budget, we anticipate policies that will bolster the real estate sector, including the growing luxury housing segment and its allied industries. Rationalizing GST, offering enhanced tax benefits for homebuyers, and incentivizing affordable and mid-segment housing can boost demand across all categories. The luxury housing market, driven by evolving buyer preferences, would benefit from targeted initiatives such as reduced stamp duties and easier financing options," says Vikas Garg, Joint Managing Director, Ganga Realty.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Strengthening Data Security and Emerging Technologies for India’s Tech Evolution

“As the budget approaches, emphasizing data security and emerging technologies is critical for India's tech evolution. With rapid advancements in digital infrastructure, robust cybersecurity is more important than ever. I advocate for policies that strengthen data protection, foster R&D in cybersecurity and blockchain, and promote streamlined, user-centric eKYC solutions. These initiatives will enhance digital user experience and trust, driving significant investment and fostering a secure environment for startups” says Naman Mishra, Founder of Sedax.

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Transforming India’s Mental Health Framework

“We hope for increased funding to enhance awareness, accessibility, and affordability of mental health services, alongside efforts to integrate mental health care into primary healthcare. Investments in digital solutions, incentives for innovative startups, and targeted skill development to address the shortage of mental health professionals are essential. Key priorities for us include ensuring insurance coverage for mental health, increasing research funding, and creating a national mental health database" says Mr. Tarun Gupta, Co-Founder at Lissun (Mental Health Platform).

Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Advancing India’s Tech Landscape, Web3, and Cybersecurity

"As we approach the budget, I'm optimistic about the potential for further growth in India's tech landscape, particularly within Web3 and cybersecurity. I anticipate continued government support for digital infrastructure development, which fosters innovation in these sectors. Specifically, I'm looking for policies that encourage R&D in blockchain technologies and provide clearer regulatory frameworks for Web3 businesses" says Abhishek Singh, Co-founder at SecureDapp.