Union Budget 2025: Viksit Bharat aims for zero poverty, skilled workforce, and global leadership in food production

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her eighth consecutive budget presentation on February 1, 2025, emphasizing the government’s sustained efforts to accelerate growth, secure inclusive development, and boost household sentiment. The budget speech, presented in Parliament at 11 a.m., aims to uplift India’s economic prospects while remaining fiscally disciplined.

This year’s budget comes at a time when India’s economy is projected to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in 2025-26, according to the Economic Survey for 2024-25. The survey, tabled in Parliament on January 31, reflects optimism regarding India’s post-pandemic recovery but emphasizes the need for sustained reforms to achieve long-term economic stability.

During her speech, Sitharaman elaborated on the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India), outlining key pillars necessary for the country’s transformation:

• Zero poverty: Ensuring complete eradication of poverty through targeted welfare schemes and inclusive development.
• 100% quality education: Providing good, quality school education accessible to every child across the country.
• Affordable and comprehensive healthcare: Expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all citizens.
• Skilled labour and employment: Ensuring that 100% of the workforce is skilled and employed meaningfully in various sectors.
• Women’s participation: Aiming for 70% participation of women in economic activities to foster gender-inclusive growth.
• Global food leadership: Enabling farmers to position India as the world’s food basket through sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced productivity.

The Viksit Bharat agenda reflects the government’s long-term vision of making India self-reliant and globally competitive by addressing key socio-economic challenges. Through sustained reforms and strategic investments, the plan aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for achieving development goals by 2047, India’s centenary year of independence.

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