What is the Union Budget – Complete Guide to Meaning, Purpose & Components

The Union Budget is the Indian government's yearly financial plan. It shows how much the government expects to earn and how it plans to spend that money during one fiscal year.

Imagine a family planning its yearly budget. The parents list their income (salaries, interest from savings) and decide how much to spend on rent, groceries, school fees, and savings. The government does something similar through the Union Budget. It lists expected income (like taxes, dividends) and expenses (like defence, education, and healthcare).

Here’s a simple example:
 

Just like families balance needs and earnings, the government uses the Union Budget to manage the nation’s money wisely.

How Is the Union Budget Presented and Who Prepares It?

The Union Budget, though ostensibly intricate, may be rendered intelligible upon an appreciation of its methodical formulation and procedural presentation. It may be analogised to the orchestration of an elaborate scholastic annual function, wherein a delineated sequence of stages, specialised committees, and multifarious preparatory undertakings culminate in a consummate event.

In accordance with Article 112 of the Constitution of India, the Budget is submitted annually to the Lok Sabha, encapsulating the Annual Financial Statement (AFS). Its meticulous preparation is undertaken by the Budget Division within the Department of Economic Affairs under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance.

The procedural trajectory is as follows:
 

• Presentation – The Finance Minister formally articulates the Budget before the Lok Sabha.
   
• General Discussion – Parliamentary members deliberate upon the proposals enunciated therein.
   
• Scrutiny by Committees – Departmental committees of cognoscenti undertake a rigorous examination of the provisions.
   
• Vote on Demands for Grants – The House effectuates authorisation regarding the allocation of public funds.
   
• Passing of Bills – Enactment of the Appropriation Bill, which sanctions expenditure, and the Finance Bill, which legislates the modalities of taxation, consummates the process.

Thus, the Union Budget, through its labyrinthine procedural architecture and multi-tiered scrutiny, constitutes not merely a fiscal statement but a meticulously orchestrated instrument of governance, reflecting the allocation of national resources and the legislative imprimatur of democratic oversight.

The Four Main Components of the Union Budget

The Union Budget is like a detailed money diary for the government. It has four key components, split into two broad parts: the Revenue Budget and the Capital Budget. 

1. Revenue Receipts

Revenue receipts denote the anticipated inflows accruing to the government within a fiscal year, primarily derived from taxation and ancillary non-tax sources, intended to finance routine administrative and operational expenditures rather than long-term capital investment.

Illustrative Examples:
 

• Remittances of Income Tax by individuals and corporations.
   
• Collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on commercial transactions.
   
• Revenue accrued from statutory fees, penalties, and interest on loans extended by the government.
   

The ensuing tabular exposition delineates the principal sources of revenue receipts, categorising them into tax and non-tax components, and exemplifying the quintessential instruments through which the government accrues operational income.
 

2. Revenue Expenditure

This is the money the government spends on its daily needs.

Examples:
 

• Paying the salaries of police officers and teachers
   
• Giving subsidies on LPG
   
• Running government offices
   

3. Capital Receipts

Capital receipts constitute inflows of funds accruing to the government through borrowing or the divestment of state-owned assets, typically earmarked for long-term investment rather than routine expenditure.

Illustrative Examples:
 

• Procurement of loans from the Reserve Bank of India or foreign sovereign entities.
   
• Divestiture of government equity in public sector undertakings.
   
• Issuance of treasury bills and other marketable debt instruments to the public.
   

4. Capital Expenditure

Capital expenditure encompasses allocations of public funds directed towards the creation, acquisition, or augmentation of long-term assets that confer sustained societal and economic benefits.

Illustrative Examples:
 

• Construction of transportation and healthcare infrastructure, including highways, rail networks, and hospitals.
   
• Procurement of machinery and equipment for public sector undertakings to enhance productive capacity.
   
• Extension of financial assistance to state governments for the development of strategic infrastructure projects.
   

The following delineation categorises the principal avenues of capital expenditure, explaining the specific allocations and their intended strategic and long-term socio-economic ramifications.
 

Major Budget Highlights

The most recent Union Budget encompasses a multitude of initiatives with profound implications for taxation, agriculture, scientific research, and international trade. The salient measures are delineated below in a structured format:
 

1. Tax Reforms and Concessions
    

• Exemption Threshold Raised: Under the new tax regime, individuals with an annual income not exceeding ₹12,00,000 shall be absolved from income tax liability.
   
• Enhanced TDS Limits: Senior citizens shall not incur tax on interest income up to ₹1,00,000, while rental disbursements up to ₹6,00,000 remain exempt from TDS.
   
• Tax-Free Withdrawals: Withdrawals from the National Savings Scheme post 29 August 2024 shall be exempt from taxation.
   
• Extended Return Filing Period: The temporal window for filing revised income tax returns has been augmented from two to four years.
   
• Introduction of Simplified Tax Legislation: A new statute has been promulgated to streamline compliance and diminish procedural ambiguity.
   

2. Agricultural Support Initiatives
    

• PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Provision of short-term credit of ₹5,00,000 for 7.7 crore farmers, dairy workers, and fishermen.
   
• Pulses Mission: A six-year strategic plan aimed at augmenting the cultivation of tur, urad, and masoor dal.
   
• Makhana Board: Establishment of a dedicated board in Bihar to facilitate the welfare and commercial viability of makhana cultivators.
   

3. Advancement of Science and Research
    

• Innovation Funding: Allocation of ₹20,000 crore to incentivise private-sector research and development.
   
• PM Research Fellowships: Distribution of 10,000 fellowships to students at premier institutions such as IITs and IISc.
   
• Gene Bank Expansion: Establishment of a secondary seed storage facility to safeguard the nation’s agrarian and food security.
   

4. Promotion of Exports and Trade Facilitation
    

• Electronics and EV Incentives: Tax exemptions on components utilised in televisions, electric vehicles, and mobile batteries.
   
• Shipbuilding and Repair Subsidies: A decennial tax exemption on parts employed in ship construction and maintenance.
   
• Trade Simplification: Expedited customs procedures and reduced bureaucratic formalities.
   
• Leather Sector Support: Zero import duty on wet blue leather to stimulate export potential.
   

These comprehensive measures collectively reflect the government’s endeavour to ameliorate fiscal burdens, empower the agrarian and academic sectors, and catalyse industrial growth and international commerce.

Revised Income Tax Slabs

The most recent Union Budget has instituted substantive revisions to the income tax slabs and associated deductions, thereby engendering a more progressive fiscal architecture and materially mitigating the pecuniary obligations incumbent upon middle-income earners.

These revisions, along with the increase in the standard deduction from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, are designed to provide greater relief to taxpayers while promoting fairness in the income tax system.

Bonus Tip: The standard deduction was increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.

New Regime Tax Rates and Savings

The revised New Regime tax structure for 2025 introduces significant savings for taxpayers across various income brackets, highlighting the government’s effort to simplify taxation and reduce the burden on individuals.

Overall, the 2025 revisions under the New Regime offer substantial relief for lower and middle-income taxpayers, while providing modest savings for higher-income individuals, thereby reinforcing a more equitable and simplified tax framework.

Conclusion 

The Union Budget represents an intricate and meticulously structured fiscal blueprint delineated annually by the government, encapsulating the modalities of revenue mobilisation and public expenditure. Its ramifications permeate the entirety of the economic spectrum, influencing multinational corporations, domestic enterprises, and individual citizens alike. 

A comprehensive comprehension of this budgetary instrument affords critical insight into the strategic priorities, developmental trajectories, and macroeconomic imperatives that underpin the nation’s pursuit of sustained growth and socio-economic advancement.

FAQ’s

Why does the government present a Union Budget every year?
To orchestrate public expenditure, optimise revenue, and ensure the effective administration of national services.
 

Who creates the Union Budget in India?
The Ministry of Finance, under the guidance of the Finance Minister, prepares and submits it to Parliament.
 

How does the Union Budget affect the prices of goods?
Alterations in duties and taxes can directly influence commodity and service prices.
 

Can the Union Budget change my salary or tax?
Yes, adjustments to income tax provisions can modify net remuneration.
 

Is the Union Budget only about money?
No, it also articulates policy priorities for employment, education, health, agriculture, and growth.
 

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