The budget session will begin on January 31, with the Union Budget set for February 1.
The Central government has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday to ensure a smooth Budget Session of Parliament, which is set to commence on January 31.
The session will open with President Droupadi Murmu addressing both Houses of Parliament. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey on January 31 and present the Union Budget on February 1.
According to the Parliamentary Bulletin, the Budget Session will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will run from January 31 to February 13, while the second phase will commence on March 10 and conclude on April 4.
Discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address are scheduled for February 3, 4, and 6, with a provisional reply expected on February 6.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a productive session, calling on Opposition leaders to allow constructive debates.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has called for constructive discussions, urging Opposition leaders to avoid disruptions.
“In the past two sessions, disruptions have negatively impacted Parliament’s functioning. I appeal to the Opposition and all MPs to engage in meaningful discussions rather than create disturbances,” Rijiju stated.
He also expressed optimism about the upcoming budget, highlighting Finance Minister Sitharaman’s efforts to deliver a balanced and comprehensive financial roadmap for the country.
With key economic and legislative discussions on the agenda, the government is hopeful that the Opposition will cooperate to facilitate smooth proceedings.
Infra sector calls for GST reforms, increased capex
Stakeholders in the infrastructure sector are urging the government to introduce GST rationalisation, tax incentives for green building technologies, and increased capital expenditure (capex) for roads, railways, and ports. Industry leaders also seek enhanced support for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and skill development initiatives to bridge workforce gaps in construction and infrastructure.
Arvind Nanda, Managing Director of Interarch Building Products, emphasised the need for tax relief on pre-engineered buildings (PEBs), advocating for extended Input Tax Credit (ITC) benefits to lower project costs and promote sustainable construction.
Bhagat Singh, Group CFO of Ceigall India Limited, called for increased infrastructure funding and stronger private sector participation. He highlighted the importance of aligning green technology investments with national sustainability goals.
Vivek Iyer, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, underscored the necessity of rationalising capex allocations across states to ensure balanced growth. “The Centre’s interest-free capital expenditure scheme for states plays a crucial role in sustainable development,” he noted.
In the transportation sector, Ashish Suman, Partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors, anticipates a 10% rise in capex for roads and highways. He also stressed the need for greater Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects to drive private investment.
Urban infrastructure experts advocate revitalising PPPs to support Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, enhancing the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UDIF), and strengthening the municipal bonds market to address financial gaps in urban development.
Priya Rustogi, Leader for India & Subcon at LWT IMEA, highlighted India’s 6.5% GDP growth forecast and its implications for infrastructure and urbanisation. She urged the government to rationalise GST on sanitaryware and support sustainable construction practices.
Kuldip Raina, Director of Shalimar Paints, called for policies stabilising raw material supply, encouraging research and development (R&D) through tax benefits, and subsidising technological upgrades to cut production and energy costs.
IT industry seeks focus on Make in India, AI R&D
India’s Information Technology (IT) and Electronics sector is calling for incentives to boost domestic manufacturing, increased investments in semiconductor production, AI research funding, tax relief for tech startups, and digital infrastructure development. The industry also seeks support for skill-building initiatives to bridge workforce gaps and drive innovation.
Kapal Suresh Pansari, MD of RP Tech, emphasised that incentives for ‘Make in India’ and infrastructure investments could significantly enhance the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) supply chain. “Policies fostering innovation and skill development will be key to positioning India as a technology leader,” he said.
In the semiconductor sector, Hareesh Chandrasekar, CEO of AGNIT Semiconductors, called for a ‘green channel’ for ultra-fast customs clearance of semiconductor materials. He also advocated for lower GST on indigenous components, reduced import duties, and zero-interest funding for local manufacturers.
AI and IT services are also in focus. Narinder Kumar, CEO of TO THE NEW, hopes for increased government funding for AI research and a regulatory sandbox for AI experimentation. He also seeks greater export incentives for Indian IT firms, particularly in Generative AI.
On the infrastructure front, Nirmalya Chatterjee, VP at Nemetschek Group, highlighted the critical role of technology in construction. “We expect the budget to prioritise infrastructure growth with increased investments and digital integration,” he noted.
Job creation and skill development remain major concerns. Gagan Arora, CEO of Vertex Global Services, urged the government to expand vocational training programs in emerging technologies. Similarly, Raja Lahri, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, stressed the need for tax relief for startups and MSMEs to drive job creation and attract investment.
For IT service SMEs, Mayank Maggon, CEO of Techchefz Digital, suggested single-window clearances to simplify compliance, allowing businesses to focus on innovation. Meanwhile, A S Rajgopal, CEO of NxtGen, proposed a dedicated budget provision for AI implementation in government ministries to set an industry benchmark.
With India aiming to lead in AI, semiconductors, and IT services, stakeholders are looking to the upcoming Union Budget for policies that will drive long-term growth and competitiveness in the global tech landscape.
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