Budget Unlocked | What The Budget Needs To Do: Reviving Growth & Overcoming Hurdles To Viksit Bharat

India's economy, though still the fastest-growing among major nations, is showing signs of strain. The July-September GDP growth of 5.4% marks a seven-quarter low, sparking intense discussions on how to reignite the pace of growth. In this special chat show, Siddharth Zarabi, Editor of Business Today, engages with leading experts—Rumki Majumdar, Economist at Deloitte; Dhiraj Nayyar, Chief Economist at Vedanta; and Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Chief Economist at SBI—to explore actionable steps the Union Budget 2025 can take to address these challenges. The panel examines the major factors slowing growth, including weak consumer demand amid high inflation, a decline in manufacturing, sluggish investments, global economic headwinds, and policies. The discussion dives into potential solutions such as income tax relief, reforms to enhance ease of doing business for MSMEs and exporters, boosting government capex through public-private partnerships, and structural changes in labor, land, and capital markets. With Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the Budget on February 1, the experts offer valuable insights into strategies to spur demand, improve investments, and ensure sustainable growth. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of what lies ahead for India’s economy and the roadmap to recovery.