Mint Readers' Poll: Budget 2025 Tax Changes Find Favour, But Hunger for More Relief Persists
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday, 1 February, setting the stage for crucial fiscal announcements. Ahead of this significant event, Mint conducted an extensive poll to gauge public sentiment and expectations, revealing a complex picture of approval mixed with persistent demands.
Poll Methodology and Key Findings
Mint engaged with its digital and print readership between 4 December 2025 and 26 January 2026, gathering responses from 1,674 participants. While this sample does not represent the entire population, it offers valuable insights into the priorities of engaged citizens. The poll explored multiple dimensions, including reactions to last year's tax adjustments, expectations for the upcoming Budget, the need for populist measures, targeted schemes for specific groups, and the appropriate timeframe for government planning.
Broad Approval of Previous Tax Changes
The survey indicates that the substantial relaxations in direct and indirect taxes announced in the previous Budget have been well-received. Notably, nearly 60% of respondents expressed satisfaction with these changes, with 18% completely satisfied and 42% largely so. Furthermore, 57% reported that the tax cuts had a tangible impact on their daily lives, highlighting the real-world benefits of these fiscal adjustments.
Last year's key tax modifications included:
- Effective increase in the tax-free income threshold to ₹12 lakh through enhanced rebates under Section 87A
- Further elevation to ₹12.75 lakh for salaried individuals after accounting for standard deductions
- Reductions in Goods and Services Tax (GST) slabs across various categories
Persistent Demand for Further Tax Relief
Despite this approval, the poll reveals a strong appetite for additional tax concessions. When asked about their top Budget priorities, "tax rates for the middle class" emerged as the most popular choice, securing 23% of votes. This preference underscores that last year's measures, while appreciated, have not fully addressed public expectations.
Specific demands for further tax relief include:
- Approximately 74% of respondents desire additional exemptions within the new tax regime
- Nearly 70% advocate for an increase in the ₹1.5 lakh exemption limit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, which has remained unchanged since FY15
Call for Populist Measures and Targeted Schemes
The survey reflects a continued demand for a populist approach in Budget 2026, with 35% of respondents explicitly favouring such measures and another 28% preferring a somewhat populist direction. This sentiment persists despite the people-centric changes implemented last year, suggesting that many citizens still seek more direct governmental support.
There is particularly strong advocacy for targeted schemes aimed at specific demographic groups:
- About 67% of participants support enhanced schemes for women
- Over 75% favour additional measures for farmers
- More than 80% call for increased support for entrepreneurs and startups
These demands indicate that existing programmes may require either broader coverage or higher budgetary allocations to meet public expectations.
Other Budget Priorities and Public Sentiment
Beyond tax concerns, the poll identified several other key priorities for respondents. Job creation for youth ranked as the second-highest priority at 22%, reflecting ongoing employment anxieties. Health and education followed at 19%, while infrastructure development and fiscal deficit control garnered 13% and 11% support respectively.
The survey also explored public perception of the Budget's significance. Six in ten respondents acknowledged that past Budgets have materially affected their lives, and 45% rejected the notion that the Budget is overhyped, compared to 30% who believe it is. This data underscores the document's substantial impact on everyday citizens.
Short-Term Focus vs. Long-Term Vision
An interesting divergence emerged regarding planning horizons. While the government promotes its "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision for long-term development, poll respondents demonstrated a preference for shorter-term budgetary planning. Specifically, 58% favoured a timeframe not exceeding five years, 26% supported a ten-year horizon, and only 16% advocated for looking ahead twenty years.
This preference for immediate and medium-term planning suggests that while citizens support long-term national goals, they prioritize more immediate fiscal measures that address current economic challenges and personal financial concerns.
As Finance Minister Sitharaman prepares to present Budget 2026-27, the Mint poll reveals a citizenry that appreciates past tax relief but remains hungry for more substantial concessions, targeted support for vulnerable groups, and continued focus on middle-class welfare. The challenge will be balancing these populist demands with fiscal responsibility and long-term economic objectives.
