Your waiting-list train ticket problem may end soon:Over 300 new trains, tax-free income up to ₹13 lakh likely among five major budget announcements

The government may make 5 major announcements in this year’s Union Budget. Let’s take a look. 1. Income Tax: Income up to ₹13 lakh may become tax-free Under the new income tax regime, the standard deduction may be increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1 lakh. This would make income up to ₹13 lakh tax-free for salaried individuals. Currently, income up to ₹12.75 lakh is tax-free. Why this announcement may happen: Benefit: This will increase the money in the hands of the middle class. Individuals may save a few thousand rupees per month, which can be used for spending, saving, or investing. 2. Kisan Samman Nidhi: Annual amount may increase by 50% It is expected that the amount under the PM-Kisan scheme could be increased by ₹3,000, raising it from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 per year. There have been discussions about increasing it for the past three years. Why this announcement may happen: Cost calculation: Currently, around 11 crore farmers receive the Kisan Samman Nidhi. The central government spends ₹60,000–65,000 crore annually on this. Increasing the amount to ₹9,000 per year would raise the expense to around ₹95,000 crore annually. Benefit: Around 11 crore farmer families across the country will benefit directly. The extra ₹3,000 will help farmers meet small farming-related needs. 3. Rail Infrastructure: 300+ new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains The government aims to end waiting lists in rail bookings by modernising railway tracks and adding new trains. In this context, more than 300 new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains may be announced. In the previous Union Budget, ₹2.65 lakh crore was allocated for railway development for the first time—this is the largest-ever railway fund. This time, an increase in the allocation is also expected. Why this announcement may happen: Benefit: Around 2 crore daily train commuters will directly benefit from this. 4. PM Surya Ghar Scheme: ₹80,000 subsidy for 2 KW solar panels In the Budget, the subsidy for solar systems up to 2 kilowatts (KW) may be increased from ₹30,000 per KW to ₹40,000 per KW. Under current rules, installing a 2 KW solar system gives a total subsidy of ₹60,000 (₹30,000 per KW). If the Budget raises the subsidy by ₹10,000 per KW, a 2 KW system will receive a total subsidy of ₹80,000—saving ₹20,000 for the household. Currently, the subsidy is ₹18,000 per KW for systems between 2–3 KW, and for systems above 3 KW, the subsidy is capped at ₹78,000. Why this announcement may happen: Benefit: Increasing the subsidy will give families installing a 2 KW system an additional ₹20,000 in savings. This will not only provide free electricity for households but also allow them to earn by selling extra power back to the grid.
5. Ayushman Bharat: Benefit for all senior citizens above 60 The government may expand the scope of the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme. Currently, senior citizens above 70 years are eligible for benefits, which could be reduced to include those aged 60 and above. Additionally, the annual free treatment limit of ₹5 lakh may be increased to cover the costs of serious illnesses like cancer and heart surgery. Why this may happen: Benefit: