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Union Budget 2023-24

Last updated: Apr, 2023

Introduction

Union Budget 2023–24 builds on the vision set out in the previous budgets and provides a blueprint for steering the economy towards a sustained high-growth trajectory. The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament on 1st February 2023.

Key Highlights of the Budget:

  • Per capita income has more than doubled to Rs.1.97 lakh (US$ 2,400) in around nine years.
  • Indian economy has increased in size from being 10th to 5th largest in the world in the past nine years.
  • EPFO membership has more than doubled to 27 crore.
  • 7,400 crore digital payments of Rs.126 lakh crore (US$ 1,535.7 billion) have taken place through UPI in 2022.
  • 11.7 crore household toilets constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission.
  • 9.6 crore LPG connections provided under Ujjwala.
  • 220 crore covid vaccination of 102 crore persons.
  • 47.8 crore PM Jan Dhan bank accounts.
  • Insurance cover for 44.6 crore persons under PM Suraksha Bima and PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana.
  • Cash transfer of Rs. 2.2 lakh crore (US$ 26.8 billion) to over 11.4 crore farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
  • Targeted Fiscal Deficit to be below 4.5% by 2025-26.
  • The maximum deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to be enhanced from Rs. 15 lakh (US$ 18,276.5) to Rs. 30 lakh (US$ 36,553).
  • ‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ of Centre to be Rs. 13.7 lakh crore (US$ 167.26 billion).
  • More than 39,000 compliances reduced and more than 3,400 legal provisions decriminalized to enhance Ease of Doing Business.
  • Jan Vishwas Bill to amend 42 Central Acts have been introduced to further trust-based governance.
  • PAN will be used as the common identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies to bring Ease of Doing Business.

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT (PART-A)

  • Seven priorities of the budget ‘Saptarishi’, are inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power, and the financial sector.
  • Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program: This program shall be launched with an outlay of Rs. 2,200 crore (US$ 268 million) to boost the availability of disease-free, quality planting material for high-value horticultural crops.
  • Centre to recruit 38,800 teachers and support staff for the 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, serving 3.5 lakh tribal students over the next three years.
  • PM Awas Yojana: The outlay for PM Awas Yojana is being enhanced by 66% to over Rs. 79,000 crore (US$ 9.6 billion).
  • Capital outlay of Rs. 2.40 lakh crore (US$ 29.2 billion) has been provided for the Railways, which is the highest ever outlay and about nine times the outlay made in 2013-14.
  • Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF): UIDF will be established through the use of priority sector lending shortfall and shall be managed by the National Housing Bank and will be used by public agencies to create urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • Entity DigiLocker: Entity DigiLocker is to be setup for use by MSMEs, large businesses, and charitable trusts to store and share documents online securely.
  • Revamped credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs to take effect from 1st April 2023 through the infusion of Rs. 9,000 crore (US$ 1.09 billion) in the corpus. This scheme would enable additional collateral-free guaranteed credit of Rs. 2 lakh crore (US$ 24.4 billion) and also reduce the cost of the credit by about 1%.
  • 100 labs to be setup for 5G services-based application development to realize a new range of opportunities, business models, and employment potential.

GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme:

  • 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants shall be established under the scheme for promoting a circular economy at a total investment of Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.21 billion).
  • 5% compressed biogas mandate to be introduced for all organizations marketing natural and biogas.
  • Centre to facilitate one crore farmers to adopt natural farming over the next three years. For this, 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres are to be set-up, creating a national-level distributed micro-fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing network.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0:

  • This scheme aims to skill lakhs of youth within the next three years covering new-age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IoT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills.
  • 30 Skill India International Centres to be set up across different States to skill the youth for international opportunities.

Central Processing Centre:

  • Central Processing Centre to be set up to ensure faster response to companies through centralized handling of various forms filed with field offices under the Companies Act.

Agriculture

  • Agriculture Accelerator Fund to be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in the rural area.
  • To make India a global hub for 'Shree Anna', the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research, and technologies at the international level.
  • Rs. 20 lakh crore (US$ 243.7 billion) agricultural credit targeted at animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.
  • A new sub-scheme of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana with a targeted investment of Rs. 6,000 crore (US$ 731 million) to be launched to further enable activities of fishermen, fish vendors, and micro & small enterprises, improve value chain efficiencies, and expand the market.
  • Massive decentralised storage capacity to be set up to help farmers store their produce and realize remunerative prices through sale at appropriate times.
  • Computerisation of 63,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with an investment of Rs. 2,516 crore (US$ 306.7 million) initiated.

Health:

  • 157 new nursing colleges to be established in co-location with the existing 157 medical colleges established since 2014.
  • Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination mission to be launched.
  • Joint public and Private Medical research to be encouraged via select ICMR labs for encouraging collaborative research and innovation.
  • New Programme to promote research in Pharmaceuticals to be launched.
  • Aspirational Blocks Programme covering 500 blocks launched for saturation of essential government services across multiple domains such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill development, and basic infrastructure.
  • Rs. 15,000 crore (US$ 1.82 billion) for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission over the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes.
  • Investment of Rs. 75,000 crore (US$ 9.14 billion), including Rs. 15,000 crore (US$ 1.82 billion) from private sources, for one hundred critical transport infrastructure projects, for last and first-mile connectivity for ports, coal, steel, fertilizer, and food grains sectors.
  • New Infrastructure Finance Secretariat was established in order to enhance opportunities for private investment in infrastructure.

Education:

  • District Institutes of Education and Training to be developed as vibrant institutes of excellence for Teachers’ Training.
  • A National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents to be set-up for facilitating the availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and device-agnostic accessibility.
  • Rs. 5,300 crore (US$ 645.9 million) to be given as central assistance to the Upper Bhadra Project to provide sustainable micro irrigation and filling up of surface tanks for drinking water.
  • ‘Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions’ to be set up in a digital epigraphy museum, with the digitization of one lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.
  • Continuation of a 50-year interest-free loan to state governments for one more year to spur investment in infrastructure and to incentivize them for complementary policy actions.
  • Encouragement to states and cities to undertake urban planning reforms and actions to transform our cities into ‘sustainable cities of tomorrow’.
  • Transition from manhole to the machine-hole mode by enabling all cities and towns to undertake 100% mechanical desludging of septic tanks and sewers.
  • iGOT Karmayogi, an integrated online training platform, has been launched to provide continuous learning opportunities for lakhs of government employees to upgrade their skills and facilitate a people-centric approach.
  • Three centres of excellence for Artificial Intelligence to be set up in top educational institutions to realise the vision of “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India”.
  • National Data Governance Policy to be brought out to unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia.
  • One-stop solution for the purpose of reconciliation and updating the identity and address of individuals to be established using DigiLocker service and Aadhaar as foundational identity.
  • 95% of the forfeited amount relating to bid or performance security, shall be returned to MSMEs by the government and government undertakings in cases wherein the MSMEs failed to execute contracts during the Covid period.
  • Result Based Financing to allocate scarce resources in order to compete for development needs.
  • Phase-3 of the E-Courts project is to be launched with an outlay of Rs. 7,000 crore (US$ 852.9 million) for the efficient administration of justice.
  • R & D grant for Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) sector to act as an encouraging factor for the indigenous production of LGD seeds and machines and to further reduce import dependency.

Energy Sector:

  • Annual production of 5 MMT under the Green Hydrogen Mission to be targeted by 2030 to facilitate the transition of the economy to low carbon intensity and to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
  • Rs. 35,000 crore (US$ 4.3 billion) outlay for energy security, energy transition, and net zero objectives.
  • Battery energy storage systems to be promoted to steer the economy on the sustainable development path.
  • Rs. 20,700 crore (US$ 2.52 billion) outlay provided for renewable energy grid integration and evacuation from Ladakh.
  • PM-PRANAM: ‘PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth’ (PM-PRANAM) to be launched to incentivize States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.
  • MISHTI: ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes’, (MISHTI), to be taken up for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund, and other sources.
  • Green Credit Program: Green Credit Programme is to be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act in order to incentivize and mobilize additional resources for environmentally sustainable and responsive actions.
  • Amrit Dharohar scheme to be implemented over the next three years in order to encourage the optimal usage of wetlands, enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities, and help in income generation for local communities.
  • A unified Skill India Digital Platform to be launched in order to enable demand-based formal skilling, linking with employers including MSMEs, and facilitating access to entrepreneurship schemes.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer under a pan-India National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to be rolled out with the objective of providing stipend support to 47 lakh youth in three years.
  • Tourism: At least 50 tourist destinations are to be selected through challenge mode and to be further developed as a complete package for domestic and foreign tourists.
  • Dekho Apna Desh: Sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development to be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative.
  • Vibrant Villages Programme: Tourism infrastructure and amenities to be facilitated in border villages under the purview of the Vibrant Villages Programme.
  • Unity Mall: States are to be encouraged to set up a Unity Mall for the promotion and sale of their own and also all other states’ ODOPs (One District, One Product), GI products, and handicrafts.
  • National Financial Information Registry: National Financial Information Registry to be set up which shall serve as the central repository of financial and ancillary information in order to facilitate the efficient flow of credit, promoting financial inclusion, and fostering financial stability. A new legislative framework is to be designed in consultation with RBI to govern this credit public infrastructure.
  • Financial sector regulators to carry out a comprehensive review of existing regulations in consultation with public and regulated entities. Time limits to decide the applications under various regulations would also be laid down.

Following measures to be taken in order to enhance business activities in GIFT IFSC:

  • Delegating powers under the SEZ Act to IFSCA to avoid dual regulation.
  • Setting up a single window IT system for registration and approval from IFSCA, SEZ authorities, GSTN, RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI.
  • Permitting acquisition financing by IFSC Banking Units of a foreign bank.
  • Establishing a subsidiary of EXIM Bank for trade refinancing.
  • Amending IFSCA Act for statutory provisions for arbitration, ancillary services, and avoiding dual regulation under SEZ Act.
  • Recognizing offshore derivative instruments as valid contracts.
  • Amendments proposed to the Banking Regulation Act, the Banking Companies Act, and the Reserve of India Act to improve bank governance and enhance investors’ protection.
  • Countries looking for digital continuity solutions would be facilitated for setting up their Data Embassies in GIFT IFSC.
  • SEBI to be empowered to develop, regulate, maintain, and enforce norms and standards for education in the National Institute of Securities Markets and to recognize the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates.
  • Integrated IT portal to be established to enable investors to easily reclaim the unclaimed shares and unpaid dividends from the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority.
  • Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a one-time new small savings scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate to be launched. It will offer deposit facility upto Rs. 2 lakh (US$ 2,437.6) in the name of women or girls for tenure of 2 years (up to March 2025) at fixed interest rate of 7.5% with partial withdrawal option.
  • The maximum deposit limit for Monthly Income Account Scheme to be enhanced from Rs. 4.5 lakh (US$ 5,482.8) to Rs. 9 lakh (US$ 10,965.5) for a single account and from Rs. 9 lakh (US$ 10,965.5) to Rs. 15 lakh (US$ 18,276.5) for a joint account.
  • The entire fifty-year interest-free loan to states to be spent on capital expenditure within 2023-24. Part of the loan is conditional on States increasing actual Capital expenditure and parts of the outlay shall be linked to States undertaking specific loans.
  • Fiscal Deficit of 3.5% of GSDP allowed for States of which 0.5% is tied to Power sector reforms.

Estimates

Revised Estimates 2022-23:

  • The total receipts other than borrowings is Rs. 24.3 lakh crore (US$ 296.1 billion), of which the net tax receipts are Rs. 20.9 lakh crore (US$ 254.7 billion).
  • The total expenditure is Rs. 41.9 lakh crore (US$ 510.6 billion), of which the capital expenditure is about Rs. 7.3 lakh crore (US$ 88.9 billion).
  • The fiscal deficit is 6.4% of GDP, adhering to the Budget Estimate.

Budget Estimates 2023-24:

  • The total receipts other than borrowings is estimated at Rs. 27.2 lakh crore (US$ 331.5 billion) and the total expenditure is estimated at Rs. 45 lakh crore (US$ 548.4 billion).
  • The net tax receipts are estimated at Rs. 23.3 lakh crore (US$ 283.9 billion).
  • The fiscal deficit is estimated to be 5.9% of GDP.
  • To finance the fiscal deficit in 2023-24, the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs. 11.8 lakh crore (US$ 143.8 billion).
  • The gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs. 15.4 lakh crore (US$ 187.7 billion).

DIRECT TAXES (PART-B)

Total Income

Rate (%)

Up to 3,00,000

Nil

From 3,00,001 to 6,00,000

5

From 6,00,001 to 9,00,000

10

From 9,00,001 to 12,00,000

15

From 12,00,001 to 15,00,000

20

Above 15,00,000

30
  • Direct Tax proposals aim to maintain the continuity and stability of taxation, further simplify and rationalise various provisions to reduce the compliance burden, promote the entrepreneurial spirit, and provide tax relief to citizens.
  • Constant endeavour of the Income Tax Department to improve taxpayers’ services by making compliance easy and smooth.
  • To further improve taxpayer services, a proposal to roll out a next-generation Common IT Return Form for taxpayer convenience, along with plans to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism.
  • Rebate limit of Personal Income Tax to be increased to Rs. 7 lakh (US$ 8,528.4) from the current Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 6,093) in the new tax regime. Thus, persons in the new tax regime, with income up to Rs. 7 lakh (US$ 8,528.4) do not pay any tax.
  • Tax structure in the new personal income tax regime, introduced in 2020 with six income slabs, to change by reducing the number of slabs to five and increasing the tax exemption limit to Rs. 3 lakh (US$ 3,654.9). Change to provide major relief to all taxpayers in the new regime.
  • Proposal to extend the benefit of a standard deduction of Rs. 50,000 (US$ 609.2) to salaried individuals, and deduction from family pensions up to Rs. 15,000 (US$ 182.8), in the new tax regime.
  • Highest surcharge rate to reduce from 37% to 25% in the new tax regime. This will further result in a reduction of the maximum personal income tax rate to 39%.
  • The limit for tax exemption on leave encashment on the retirement of non-government salaried employees to increase to Rs. 25 lakh (US$ 30,462.2).
  • The new income tax regime to be made the default tax regime. However, citizens will continue to have the option to avail the benefit of the old tax regime.
  • Enhanced limits for micro-enterprises and certain professionals for availing the benefit of presumptive taxation proposed. Increased limit to apply only in case the amount or aggregate of the amounts received during the year, in cash, does not exceed 5% of the total gross receipts/turnover.
  • Deduction for expenditure incurred on payments made to MSMEs to be allowed only when payment is actually made in order to support MSMEs in timely receipt of payments.
  • New co-operatives that commence manufacturing activities till 31.3.2024 to get the benefit of a lower tax rate of 15%, as presently available to new manufacturing companies.
  • Opportunity provided to sugar co-operatives to claim payments made to sugarcane farmers for the period prior to the assessment year 2016-17 as an expenditure. This is expected to provide them relief of almost Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.21 billion).
  • Provision of a higher limit of Rs. 2 lakh (US$ 2,436.8) per member for cash deposits to and loans in cash by Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACS) and Primary Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs).
  • A higher limit of Rs. 3 crore (US$ 365,578.1) for TDS on cash withdrawal to be provided to co-operative societies.
  • Date of incorporation for income tax benefits to start-ups to be extended from 31.03.23 to 31.3.24.
  • Proposal to provide the benefit of carry forward of losses on change of shareholding of start-ups from seven years of incorporation to 10 years.
  • Deduction from capital gains on investment in residential houses under sections 54 and 54F to be capped at Rs. 10 crore (US$ 1.21 million) for better targeting of tax concessions and exemptions.
  • Proposal to limit income tax exemption from proceeds of insurance policies with very high value, where the aggregate of premium for life insurance policies (other than ULIP) issued on or after 1st April 2023 is above Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 6,093), income from only those policies with aggregate premium up to Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 6,093) shall be exempted.
  • Income of authorities, boards, and commissions set up by statutes of the Union or State for the purpose of housing, development of cities, towns and villages, and regulating, or regulating and developing an activity or matter, proposed to be exempted from income tax.
  • Minimum threshold of Rs. 10,000 (US$ 121.8)/- for TDS to be removed and taxability relating to online gaming to be clarified. Proposal to provide for TDS and taxability on net winnings at the time of withdrawal or at the end of the financial year.
  • Conversion of gold into the electronic gold receipt and vice versa not to be treated as capital gain.
  • TDS rate to be reduced from 30% to 20% on taxable portion of EPF withdrawal in non-PAN cases.
  • Income from Market Linked Debentures to be taxed.
  • Deployment of about 100 Joint Commissioners for disposal of small appeals in order to reduce the pendency of appeals at the Commissioner level.
  • Increased selectivity in taking up appeal cases for scrutiny of returns already received this year.
  • Period of tax benefits to funds relocating to IFSC, GIFT City extended till 31.03.2025.
  • Certain acts of omission of liquidators under section 276A of the Income Tax Act are to be decriminalized with effect from 1st April 2023.
  • Carry forward losses on strategic disinvestment including that of IDBI Bank to be allowed.
  • Agniveer Fund to be provided EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) status. The payment received from the Agniveer Corpus Fund by the Agniveers enrolled in Agnipath Scheme, 2022 proposed to be exempt from taxes. Deduction in the computation of total income is proposed to be allowed to the Agniveer on the contribution made by him or the Central Government to his Seva Nidhi account.

INDIRECT TAXES

  • Number of basic customs duty rates on goods, other than textiles and agriculture, reduced to 13 from 21.
  • Minor changes in the basic customs duties, cesses, and surcharges on some items including toys, bicycles, automobiles, and naphtha.
  • Excise duty exempted on GST-paid compressed biogas contained in blended compressed natural gas.
  • Customs Duty on specified capital goods/machinery for the manufacture of lithium-ion cell for use in the battery of electrically operated vehicles (EVs) extended to 31.03.2024.
  • Customs duty exempted on vehicles, specified automobile parts/components, sub-systems, and tyres when imported by notified testing agencies, for the purpose of testing and/ or certification, subject to conditions.
  • Customs duty on the camera lens and its inputs/parts for use in the manufacture of camera module of cellular mobile phones was reduced to zero and concessional duty on lithium-ion cells for batteries was extended for another year.
  • Basic customs duty reduced on parts of open cells of TV panels to 2.5%.
  • Basic customs duty on electric kitchen chimney increased to 15% from 7.5%.
  • Basic customs duty on heat coil for manufacture of electric kitchen chimneys reduced to 15% from 20%.
  • Denatured ethyl alcohol used in chemical industry exempted from basic customs duty.
  • Basic customs duty reduced on acid grade fluorspar (containing by weight more than 97% of calcium fluoride) to 2.5% from 5%.
  • Basic customs duty on crude glycerin for use in the manufacture of epichlorohydrin reduced to 2.5% from 7.5%.
  • Duty reduced on key inputs for domestic manufacture of shrimp feed.
  • Basic customs duty reduced on seeds used in the manufacture of lab-grown diamonds.
  • Duties on articles made from dore and bars of gold and platinum increased.
  • Import duty on silver dore, bars, and articles increased.
  • Basic Customs Duty exemption on raw materials for the manufacture of CRGO Steel, ferrous scrap, and nickel cathode continued.
  • Concessional BCD of 2.5% on copper scrap is continued.
  • Basic customs duty rate on compounded rubber increased to 25% from 10% or 30 per kg whichever is lower.
  • National Calamity Contingent Duty (NCCD) on specified cigarettes revised upwards by about 16%.
  • Legislative Changes in Customs Laws:
    • Customs Act, 1962 to be amended to specify a time limit of nine months from the date of filing an application for passing the final order by the Settlement Commission.
    • Customs Tariff Act to be amended to clarify the intent and scope of provisions relating to Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD), Countervailing Duty (CVD), and Safeguard Measures.
  • CGST Act to be amended:
    • To raise the minimum threshold of tax amount for launching prosecution under GST from Rs. 1 crore to 2 crore.
    • To reduce the compounding amount from the present range of 50 to 150% of the tax amount to the range of 25 to 100%.
    • Decriminalise certain offences.
    • To restrict filing of returns/statements to a maximum period of three years from the due date of filing of the relevant return/statement.
    • To enable unregistered suppliers and composition taxpayers to make intra-state supply of goods through E-Commerce Operators (ECOs).

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