Synopsis
The Union Budget for FY 2025-26 allocates 8.86% of its budget to gender initiatives, increasing from 6.8% the previous year. This represents a significant commitment to the welfare of women and girls, with Rs. 4.49 lakh crore dedicated to various ministries and departments.Key Takeaways
- Gender budget allocation has risen to 8.86%.
- Total allocation for women's welfare is Rs. 4.49 lakh crore.
- 49 Ministries/Departments are involved in the allocations.
- Highest number of reporting in GBS since inception.
- New Ministries have joined in reporting allocations.
New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) The proportion of gender budget allocation within the overall Union Budget has seen an increase, reaching 8.86 percent for FY 2025-26, up from 6.8 percent in FY 2024-25.
For the welfare of women and girls, an allocation of Rs. 4.49 lakh crore has been noted in the gender budget statement for FY 2025-26, a significant rise from the gross budgetary support (GBS) allocation of Rs 3.27 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, as reported by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
This fiscal year, 49 Ministries/Departments and 5 Union Territories (UTs) have submitted allocations, compared to 38 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs in FY 2024-25.
This marks the highest number of reporting by Ministries/Departments in the GBS since its establishment.
Twelve new Ministries/Departments that have reported allocations in GBS for 2025-26 include the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Department of Financial Services, Department of Fisheries, Department of Land Resources, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and Ministry of Railways.
“These 49 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs have provided allocations in Part A, Part B, and Part C of the Gender Budget Statement,” the ministry stated.
Additionally, Rs 1,05,535.40 crore (23.50 percent of total GBS allocation) was reported by 17 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs in Part A (100 percent women-specific schemes); Rs. 3,26,672.00 crore (72.75 percent) was reported by 37 Ministries/Departments and 4 UTs in Part B (30-99 percent allocation for women), and Rs 16,821.28 crore (3.75 percent) was reported by 22 Ministries/Departments in Part C (below 30 percent allocation for women).
