India, Feb. 1 -- An 81-minute long Budget speech of finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman saw no change in tax slabs but included major announcements that focused on three "kartavyas" or duties of the central government - accelerating and sustaining economic growth; fulfilling aspirations of the people; and the vision of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'.

Among the major announcements was a move that made stock derivatives trading costlier - a call that crashed the stock market - a proposal allowing Individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs) to invest in equity instruments of listed Indian companies through the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) and a massive spike in defence budget allocation.

-Budget speech duration: Finance minister's Bu...