The Union Budget 2026–27 strongly reaffirms the Government’s commitment to women-led development and child well-being, said Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi. Welcoming the Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister stated that the Budget places women and children at the centre of India’s development strategy under the vision of Viksit Bharat, recognising women not merely as beneficiaries but as key drivers of economic and social transformation.
Highlighting the Budget’s inclusive approach, Annpurna Devi noted that care has been recognised as both an economic and social priority. The Budget strengthens skilling, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and social protection while ensuring dignity and inclusion for Divyangjan. “Women are not just beneficiaries of development—they are its driving force,” she said, underlining the Government’s resolve to build a more empowered and inclusive India.
A major highlight of the Budget is the enhanced Gender Budget allocation, reflecting deepened commitment to gender-responsive governance. The share of the Gender Budget in the total Union Budget has increased to 9.37 per cent in FY 2026–27, up from 8.86 per cent in FY 2025–26. An allocation of ₹5 lakh crore has been reported for the welfare of women and girls, marking an 11.36 per cent increase over the previous year. This enhanced allocation focuses on health, nutrition, education, livelihoods, safety, and care services to ensure lasting and measurable outcomes for women and girls.
The Budget places strong emphasis on strengthening the care economy and women’s workforce participation. The proposal to train 1.5 lakh multi-skilled caregivers across geriatric, child, and allied care services will improve service delivery while creating dignified employment opportunities, particularly for women. Women’s participation in the health workforce will also be enhanced through the expansion of Allied Health Professional (AHP) education, adding one lakh professionals across ten disciplines over the next five years.
To promote women’s entrepreneurship, the Budget announces the establishment of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts, community-owned retail outlets that will provide sustained market access to products made by women-led Self-Help Groups. The initiative aims to enhance incomes, strengthen local value chains, and position women as entrepreneurs and job creators, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Women-led groups will also be integrated into fisheries and coastal livelihoods, alongside focused support to traditional sectors such as handloom, handicrafts, and khadi.
The Budget introduces targeted interventions for Divyangjan, reinforcing dignity, inclusion, and empowerment. These include the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana for customised skill training, Divyang Sahara Yojana for access to assistive devices, strengthening PM Divyasha Kendras, and enhanced support to ALIMCO for research, production, and adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Mental health and child well-being receive renewed focus with proposals to establish NIMHANS-2 and upgrade National Mental Health Institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur. The Budget also supports the setting up of Emergency and Trauma Care Centres in district hospitals to improve access to timely and specialised healthcare, particularly for women, children, and adolescents.
Advancing girls’ education and safety, the Budget provides for the establishment of girls’ hostels in STEM institutions in every district, addressing regional disparities and enabling greater participation of young women in technology-driven sectors. This initiative is expected to improve enrolment, retention, and long-term career outcomes for girls in higher education.
Overall, the Union Budget 2026–27 integrates social inclusion with economic growth, placing women and children at the heart of India’s long-term development and social transformation. Through targeted investments, institutional strengthening, and community-led initiatives, the Budget reinforces the Government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat where every woman and child is empowered, protected, and enabled to realise their full potential.
