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India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table 2025: Big bets & bold claims
MUMBAI: If Budget discussions were a high-stakes poker game, this year’s India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table saw ministers going all in with big bets and even bolder claims. From Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s tax relief assurances to Piyush Goyal’s firm rejection of a BRICS currency, and Nitin Gadkari’s ambitious Rs 15 lakh crore infrastructure monetisation vision—this was no ordinary policy talk.
Sitharaman set the tone early, brushing aside concerns of a structural slowdown while underscoring the government’s commitment to taxpayers. “In every Budget, there is a clear sense that we respect taxpayers,” she declared, championing income tax rebates and relief measures under the new tax regime. She also expressed confidence that higher disposable incomes would fuel consumption and savings, giving sectors like FMCG and banking a much-needed boost.
Meanwhile, Commerce minister Piyush Goyal wasted no time in dismissing the idea of a BRICS currency. “We don’t support any BRICS currency… It is impossible to think of a BRICS currency,” he said, leaving no room for ambiguity. He also addressed rupee depreciation, maintaining that India must work towards a stronger currency to reduce import dependence.
Transport minister Nitin Gadkari, always one to bring numbers to the table, outlined his Rs 5 lakh crore plan for highway monetisation while acknowledging roadblocks like land acquisition and environmental clearances. His projections were ambitious—toll income hitting Rs 1.4 lakh crore in two years, scaling up to Rs 15 lakh crore with further monetisation—but execution remains the challenge.
Beyond taxation and infrastructure, the event also dived into global economic headwinds. Finance and Revenue secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey flagged rising trade disruptions and protectionist policies, reassuring attendees that India remains committed to open markets. Meanwhile, Electronics & IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had exciting news on the tech front—India’s foundational AI model will be ready by the end of the year, with 10,000 GPUs already deployed for research.
For investors, the insights kept coming. Market veteran Vijay Kedia predicted continued market consolidation, advising investors to focus on government-driven themes like tourism. Value Research CEO Dhirendra Kumar urged a gradual investment strategy, while Mosaic Asset Management’s Maneesh Dangi remained bullish on IT and services.
With 10 power-packed sessions, 15+ industry leaders, and over 200 corporate executives and experts in attendance, the India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table 2025 delivered high-impact discussions and valuable takeaways. With NSE as an exchange partner, the event ensured that the country’s economic pulse was taken with precision.
As India steers through global uncertainties, the discussions reinforced the government’s commitment to taxpayers, economic stability, and infrastructure growth—while also highlighting challenges like trade tensions, currency fluctuations, and policy roadblocks that remain very much in play.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
