# Sitharaman sets zero poverty, jobs as Viksit Bharat goals

2026-08-06T17:35:25+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India may rationalise most customs tariffs by the 2027-28 Budget, with some items excluded. Speaking at the C.D. Deshmukh Memorial Lecture organised by NCAER, she described Viksit Bharat as a 2047 goal centred on zero poverty, quality education, affordable healthcare, skilled employment, women’s economic participation, productive farmers and technology leadership. Sitharaman said public capital expenditure had helped revive private investment, rising from Rs 3.39 lakh crore in FY20 to Rs 12.22 lakh crore in FY27, according to The Economic Times. She also warned that government borrowing must create assets and said states must explain and manage their debt. NCAER chairman Nandan Nilekani called for more than one million startups by 2035.

## Coverage

- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/economy/sitharaman-youth-jobs-viksit-bharat-roadmap-ncaer-11786027429256.html>
- thehindubusinessline.com <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/india-may-rationalise-most-custom-tariffs-by-fy28-budget-says-sitharaman/article71314618.ece>
- economictimes.indiatimes.com <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/viksit-bharat-is-restoration-of-indias-historical-legacy-not-unprecedented-ambition-fm-nirmala-sitharaman/articleshow/133009550.cms>

Tags: customs tariffs, economic reforms, Nirmala Sitharaman, startups, Viksit Bharat
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/sitharaman-sets-2027-28-tariff-goal-viksit-bharat-priorities/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/sitharaman-sets-2027-28-tariff-goal-viksit-bharat-priorities/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.