On February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her sixth Budget, an interim one ahead of the upcoming general elections. The focus of Interim Budget 2024 was on youth and women empowerment, while maintaining fiscal consolidation and continuing capital expenditure. Sitharaman reduced the fiscal deficit target for FY25 to 5.1% of the GDP, and there were no changes to direct or indirect tax rates. Here are 10 key highlights from FM Sitharaman's post-budget press conference: 1. Sitharaman emphasized 5 'Disha Nirdashak' principles: Social justice as an effective governance model; Focus on the poor, youth, women, and farmers; Infrastructure development; Use of technology to improve productivity; and the creation of a high-power committee for challenges arising from demographic shifts. 2. India has experienced three consecutive years of 7% GDP growth, making it the fastest-growing economy in the G20. 3. GDP is seen as Government, Development, and Performance. T...