Key announcements include:

1. Female enrollment in higher education increased by 28% in 10 years, with girls and women constituting 43% of STEM course enrollment.
2. Under PM Mudra Yojana, 43 crore loans totaling ₹22.5 lakh crore have been granted, with 30 crore loans specifically provided to women in the last decade.
3. The government plans to promote cervical cancer vaccinations for girls aged nine to fourteen.
4. The announcement of the extension of healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to all ASHA and anganwadi workers.
5. Recognition of 83 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) with nine crore women, empowering nearly one crore women and earning them the term “Lakhpati Didi.”
6. The decision to increase the target for Lakhpati Didi from 2 crore to 3 crore.

FM Sitharaman stressed addressing four key categories: the impoverished, women, youth, and farmers (“garib, mahila, yuva, annadata”). She highlighted the significant transformation in the Indian economy over the past decade.

The government’s commitment to extending healthcare coverage, promoting women’s education and entrepreneurship, and recognizing the role of self-help groups in rural empowerment were key themes in the budget presentation.

View all stories

The Unsealed Epstein Files: Truth, Power, and the Names That Shook the World

The “Mother of All Deals”: India & EU negotiate.

The Shockwave: America Captures Maduro

Vrajank Royal Kings Crowned Unbeaten Champions of Legacy Premier League 2025

How 2026 Became the Year of Plastic-Free Packaging

The post Women in Budget 2024: From loans to healthcare coverage appeared first on FIRSTRAY NEWS.

Notably, BEML emerged as the sole gainer, reaching a 52-week high. Analysts suggest positive momentum for BEML stock, emphasizing a favorable bias and recommending long positions with strong support at ₹3,480 and resistance at ₹3,800.

During the budget presentation, Finance Minister Sitharaman outlined plans to expand metro rail and Namo Bharat to additional cities. Moreover, the budget included initiatives to upgrade 40,000 regular bogies to Vande Bharat standards and implement key economic railway corridor programs.

Despite the high expectations with an all-time high allocation of ₹2.4 lakh crore for railways in the FY24 budget, railway stocks faced a downturn. Analyst Sanjay Moorjani from SAMCO Securities highlighted the conversion of over 40,000 rail bogies to Vande Bharat coaches, potentially benefiting stocks like Titagarh Rail Systems, Jupiter Wagons, Siemens, and RVNL. The move aims to improve travel efficiency, boost tourism, and create job opportunities.

Over the past year, railway stocks witnessed significant growth, with Rail Vikas Nigam, IRFC, Ircon International, RailTel Corporation of India, Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd, Titagarh Rail Systems, and Jupiter Wagons showing substantial increases ranging from 221.93% to 422.54%, according to Trendlyne data.

View all stories

The Unsealed Epstein Files: Truth, Power, and the Names That Shook the World

The “Mother of All Deals”: India & EU negotiate.

The Shockwave: America Captures Maduro

Vrajank Royal Kings Crowned Unbeaten Champions of Legacy Premier League 2025

How 2026 Became the Year of Plastic-Free Packaging

The post Railway stocks fall amid lack of major announcements by FM Sitharaman appeared first on FIRSTRAY NEWS.

During her presentation, Sitharaman utilized a modern approach, showcasing the budget on a tablet enclosed in a traditional red ‘bahi khata’ adorned with the national emblem. Despite expectations for advancements in artificial intelligence, the budget primarily highlighted key announcements in various technology sectors.

Among the notable updates, PM-SVANidhi provided credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors, with 2.3 lakh vendors benefiting from credit for the third time. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s belief in strengthening the common man’s role in the national economy. The budget, according to Goyal, outlines a roadmap for all 140 crore Indians to contribute to India’s development, fostering prosperity even for the most underserved individuals. Goyal praised the budget for its combination of continuity and visionary elements, reflecting a comprehensive strategy for the nation’s progress.

View all stories

The Unsealed Epstein Files: Truth, Power, and the Names That Shook the World

The “Mother of All Deals”: India & EU negotiate.

The Shockwave: America Captures Maduro

Vrajank Royal Kings Crowned Unbeaten Champions of Legacy Premier League 2025

How 2026 Became the Year of Plastic-Free Packaging

The post No changes in taxes you pay; govt to launch housing scheme for middle class appeared first on FIRSTRAY NEWS.

In preparation for the imminent presentation in Parliament, here are some key financial terms to be acquainted with:

1. Economic Survey: This flagship document, presented during the Budget session, offers a comprehensive summary of the economy’s performance in the ongoing financial year. It serves as a precursor to the upcoming financial year’s budget.

2. Inflation: Inflation signifies the rate of increase in the prices of goods, services, and commodities within the country. A higher inflation rate weakens the purchasing power of consumers for a defined set of goods.

3. Direct and Indirect Taxes: Direct taxes, like income tax or corporate tax, are levied directly from taxpayers. In contrast, indirect taxes, such as GST, VAT, and excise duties, are imposed indirectly.

4. Finance Bill: The Finance Bill serves as a crucial document for introducing new tax policies, altering the tax structure, or maintaining the existing structure.

5. Capital Expenditure (Capex): This is the total amount of money allocated by the government for the development, acquisition, or degradation of machinery and assets aimed at boosting the economy.

6. Budget Estimate: These are the estimated funds allocated to ministries, departments, sectors, and schemes, determining how and where the money will be utilized during a specific period.

7. Fiscal Deficit: Fiscal deficit represents the difference between the government’s total spending and revenue receipts from the previous financial year. To bridge this gap, the government resorts to borrowing funds from entities like the Reserve Bank of India.

As the budget presentation approaches, understanding these financial terms is essential for grasping the nuances of economic policies and their impact on various sectors.

View all stories

The Unsealed Epstein Files: Truth, Power, and the Names That Shook the World

The “Mother of All Deals”: India & EU negotiate.

The Shockwave: America Captures Maduro

Vrajank Royal Kings Crowned Unbeaten Champions of Legacy Premier League 2025

How 2026 Became the Year of Plastic-Free Packaging

The post 7 key terms to understand before Budget session appeared first on FIRSTRAY NEWS.