Overview
- Capital expenditure rises to Rs 12.2 lakh crore with a new City Economic Region framework to channel funds into Tier II and Tier III growth centers.
- Industry measures include a 20-year tax holiday for global data centres, a larger outlay for electronics manufacturing, and a Rs 10,000 crore plan to build a biopharma hub.
- Connectivity plans feature seven high‑speed rail corridors, a new Dedicated Freight Corridor from Dankuni to Surat, and 20 additional National Waterways.
- A rare‑earth corridor is proposed across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to promote mining, processing and manufacturing of critical minerals.
- Stock indices fell nearly 2% after the derivatives STT hike, while opposition parties and several state leaders condemned the Budget as neglecting states and social sectors, with Kerala leaders warning of risks around the rare‑earth push.