Page 19 - NIS English 1-15 June, 2026

Middle Class Cover Story

Years
of Vikas Yatra

Giving New Wings to the Aspirations of the Middle Class

In a rapidly transforming India—whether in terms of development or governance, courage or the capacity for resolve—the
middle class has emerged as a dominant force across every sphere of life. Comprising one-third of the population, the middle
class constitutes a formidable force in realizing the vision of a prosperous and developed India—a segment whose aspirations
have been given new wings by the Central Government over the past 12 years.

Income Tax Relief UDAN Scheme

No income tax payable
under the new tax `75,000 1.64+ 95
regime on an annual crore citizens Government has
income of up to standard deduction and availed benefits further expanded airports,
`12 lakh. of ₹12.75 lakh for of the UDAN purpose, an allocation and water
this scheme. For this
effective income threshold
heliports,
scheme through
salaried taxpayers.
n Comprehensive revisions to income tax slabs and 3.45 lakh flight of approximately aerodromes
₹29,000 crore has
are connected
rates in the Union Budget 2025-26, designed to services. been sanctioned. via 665 routes.
benefit all taxpayers. n In the coming years, plans are in place to construct
n Substantial tax relief for the middle class through 100 new airports and 200 new helipads in smaller
reductions in slab rates and exemptions, thereby boosting cities under this scheme.
household consumption expenditure and investment. n Before 2014, there were only 74 airports in the
n The number of income tax filers rose from 6.9 crore country. Today, there are more than 160 airports
in the Financial Year (FY) 2022 to 9.2 crore in FY across the nation.
2025.

UMANG App
Vande Bharat Service One Platform, Many Services
9.1 crore passengers have traveled across 1 lakh trips 11.02 crore registrations on

since the inception of the Vande Bharat service
up until March 31, 2026 the UMANG App.
162 Vande Bharat services have been launched to 766.35 crore
date, resulting in a reduction of travel time by
transactions.
up to 45 percent on several corridors.

services consist 2,517 services
onboarded.
90 of 8 coaches
Indian Railways— Launched in 2017, this app
services of dedicated to serving the signifies shorter queues, greater
poor and the middle class—
38 20 coaches is rapidly advancing towards control, and faster access to public
services of achieving its goal of 100 percent services for the middle class.
34 16 coaches. electrification. DigiLocker
crore registered
Over 63.88 users.

Over 950 crore documents issued.

June 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 17