The response to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's interim budget has highlighted the absence of populist measures and a commitment to a five-year fiscal consolidation plan. Despite facing challenges such as the pandemic, energy, and food price shocks, the government has maintained fiscal rectitude. The budget signals a shift towards private and corporate spending to support the economy, with a focus on manufacturing, geographical inclusivity, and urban development. The government's strategy for 2025-30 includes fostering a manufacturing surge, developing the eastern region, and addressing the housing needs of the middle class.