Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman‘s presentation of Budget 2025-26 on Saturday has sparked a whirlwind of reactions on social media. Sitharaman announced significant reforms aimed at tax exemptions and initiatives to bolster India’s employment-led growth, including substantial investments in agriculture, rural development, and exports. “This budget is dedicated to accelerating growth, driven by our aspirations for a ‘Viksit Bharat,'” she told the Lok Sabha, touting India as the fastest-growing economy among major nations.
A key highlight of her address was the announcement that individuals with an annual income of up to Rs 12 lakh would be exempt from income tax.This tax-free threshold would rise to Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried individuals, thanks to standard deductions. The income tax relief was widely welcomed, particularly by the middle class, and quickly became a trending topic across social media platforms.
As is often the case with major announcements, the Indian public took to memes to share their reactions. Netizens humorously likened the budget to popular film characters and dialogues. Finance Minister Sitharaman, often affectionately referred to as ‘Vasooli Tai’ by netizens due to her earlier tough stance on tax matters, was playfully rechristened as ‘Maa Laxmi‘ — a reference to the Hindu goddess of wealth — in light of the tax rebates.
Others drew clever comparisons with characters from Bollywood films. For example, the budget for Bihar was humorously equated with Ranbir Kapoor’s often-repeated “Papa” dialogue from Animal, symbolizing the state’s continued prominence in the government’s plans. Similarly, Alia Bhatt’s “Shiva” line from Brahmastra was adapted to reflect the government’s overarching focus on youth and innovation.
Though the playful reactions took over timelines, the underlying message from Sitharaman’s budget was clear: the government’s ambition to fuel India’s growth story and empower its citizens is palpable. The positive social media reactions reflect the optimism surrounding the relief measures, especially for middle-income groups.