Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her record eighth consecutive Budget at 11 am today, as India awaits measures to revive sluggish economic growth.
All eyes are on potential income tax cuts or tweaks to ease the burden on the middle class, struggling with high prices and stagnant wages.
Consumers hope for measures to lower household costs, while job seekers look for policies to spur employment.
The Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1 is expected to balance growth-boosting measures with fiscal prudence, focusing on consumption while narrowing the fiscal deficit.