Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman on July 23 announced her seventh consecutive budget. The presentation on July 23 was the first Budget by the BJP-led NDA government since it was re-elected in June.
Ms. Sitharaman said that the Budget will focus on employment, skilling, MSME and middle class. An allocation of ₹1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skill development was announced.. The Finance Minister laid down nine priorities of the Budget:
1. Productivity and resilience in agriculture
2. Employment and skilling
3. Inclusive Human resource development and social justice
4. Manufacturing and services
5. Support for promotion of MSMEs
6. Urban development
7. Energy security
8. Infrastructure
9. Innovation, research and development
