- The Finance Minister emphasized maintaining a balance between sustained capital expenditure (capex) push and strict fiscal prudence. - Infrastructure spending remains a core driver for long-term economic growth and crowd-in private investments. - Fiscal consolidation roadmap aims to lower fiscal deficits responsibly while keeping growth momentum intact. - **Union Budget:** The annual financial statement of the Government of India presented under Article 112, outlining estimated receipts and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, including capital and revenue allocations. - **Ministry of Finance:** The apex ministry of the central government responsible for economic policy, public finance, taxation, financial markets, and preparing the annual Union Budget. - **Government of India:** The central constitutional authority administering the Union of India, consisting of the executive, legislature, and judiciary under the framework of parliamentary democracy. **Introduction** Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that India's policy framework will continue its push towards capital expenditure (capex) to boost infrastructure and economic growth, while ensuring that fiscal prudence and consolidation targets remain non-negotiable. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Finance Minister emphasized maintaining a balance between sustained capital expenditure (capex) push and strict fiscal prudence. - Infrastructure spending remains a core driver for long-term economic growth and crowd-in private investments. - Fiscal consolidation roadmap aims to lower fiscal deficits responsibly while keeping growth momentum intact. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Union Budget:** The annual financial statement of the Government of India presented under Article 112, outlining estimated receipts and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, including capital and revenue allocations. - **Ministry of Finance:** The apex ministry of the central government responsible for economic policy, public finance, taxation, financial markets, and preparing the annual Union Budget. - **Government of India:** The central constitutional authority administering the Union of India, consisting of the executive, legislature, and judiciary under the framework of parliamentary democracy.