Union Budget 2026–27: Gender Budget Allocation Rises to ₹5.01 Lakh Crore, Share Increases to 9.37%

11.55% Increase Over FY 2025–26 as 53 Ministries and 5 UTs Report Gender Budget Allocations

The Union Budget 2026–27, presented in Parliament on 1st February 2026 by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, witnessed a significant rise in the Gender Budget (GB) allocation.

An allocation of ₹5.01 lakh crore has been reported for the welfare of women and girls in the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) of FY 2026–27. This marks an 11.55% increase over the previous financial year’s allocation of ₹4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025–26.

The share of the Gender Budget in the total Union Budget has increased to 9.37% in FY 2026–27, compared to 8.86% in FY 2025–26.

This year also recorded the highest number of reporting Ministries/Departments since inception, with 53 Ministries/Departments and 5 Union Territories (UTs) reporting allocations, compared to 49 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs in FY 2025–26. Notably, four new Ministries/Departments reported allocations in FY 2026–27.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4vFg53eAns

Detailed analysis of Budget 2026-27

What is Gender Budgeting? Meaning and Concept Explained

Understanding the Concept of Gender Budget (GB)

Gender Budgeting is a mechanism used to assess whether the government’s commitments toward gender equality are reflected in actual budgetary allocations.

Key features of Gender Budgeting:

• It does not create a separate budget exclusively for women.

• It examines the entire Government Budget from a gender perspective.

• It evaluates how public expenditure impacts women and men differently.

• It integrates gender concerns into policymaking and financial planning.

Adoption and Institutionalisation of Gender Budgeting in India

India formally adopted Gender Budgeting in 2004–05.

Since then:

• Gender Budgeting has been institutionalised at both national and state levels.

• Gender Budget Cells have been established in various Ministries and Departments.

• These Cells are dedicated units responsible for:

  • Planning gender-related allocations

  • Monitoring implementation

  • Reporting gender-focused expenditures

Classification of Gender Budget in India

The Gender Budget is divided into three parts for clarity and transparency.

Part A – 100% Women-Specific Schemes

• Includes schemes where 100% allocation is for women.

Part B – 30% to 99% Allocation for Women

• Includes schemes where at least 30% of allocation is for women.

Part C – Below 30% Allocation for Women

• Introduced in Union Budget 2024–25.

• Includes schemes where allocation for women is below 30%.

Detailed Allocation Breakdown in FY 2026–27

The ₹5.01 lakh crore Gender Budget allocation has been distributed as follows:

Part A (100% Women-Specific Schemes)

• ₹1,07,688.42 crore

• Accounts for 21.50% of total GBS allocation

• Reported by 09 Ministries/Departments and 01 UT

Part B (30–99% Allocation for Women)

• ₹3,63,412.37 crore

• Accounts for 72.54%

• Reported by 28 Ministries/Departments and 01 UT

Part C (Below 30% Allocation)

• ₹29,777.94 crore

• Accounts for 5.95%

• Reported by 37 Ministries/Departments and 05 UTs

Top 11 Ministries Reporting More Than 30% Allocation in Gender Budget FY 2026–27

The following Ministries/Departments reported more than 30% of their allocations under Gender Budgeting:

1. Ministry of Women & Child Development – 81.73%

2. Department of Rural Development – 69.92%

3. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region – 48.60%

4. Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation – 48.04%

5. Department of Food and Public Distribution – 46.34%

6. Department of Health and Family Welfare – 40.44%

7. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy – 39.05%

8. Department of Higher Education – 32.25%

9. Ministry of Panchayati Raj – 30.93%

10. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas – 30.22%

11. Department of School Education and Literacy – 30.10%

Significance of Gender Budgeting

Gender Budgeting plays a crucial role in:

• Reducing structural inequalities

• Promoting inclusive development

• Ensuring gender-responsive governance

What Are Structural Inequalities?

Structural inequalities refer to systemic disadvantages faced by women due to:

• Social barriers

• Economic constraints

• Institutional limitations

What Is Inclusive Development?

Inclusive development refers to growth that benefits all sections of society equitably, ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources.

Key Initiatives Promoting Gender Budgeting in India

Gender Budgeting Scheme Under Mission Shakti

The Gender Budgeting Scheme operates under the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme of Mission Shakti.

• Implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)

• Mission Shakti is a comprehensive programme focused on:

  • Women’s empowerment

  • Women’s safety

Objectives of the Gender Budgeting Scheme

• Achieve 100% coverage of Gender Budgeting in all central and state Ministries/Departments

• Extend coverage to rural and urban local bodies

What Are Rural and Urban Local Bodies?

These are grassroots-level governance institutions responsible for local administration and development.

Gender Budgeting Knowledge Portal (2025)

Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2025, the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Portal serves as:

• A digital repository of Gender Budgeting practices

• An organised online platform for storing and accessing policy-related information

State-Level Efforts in Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

Odisha’s Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

• Adopted GRB in 2004–05

• Implemented through the Women Component Plan

• GRB applies gender analysis in budget formulation and implementation

Karnataka’s Gender Audit Manual

• Developed a gender audit manual

• Used to monitor and strengthen Gender Budget implementation

What Is a Gender Audit?

A gender audit is a systematic evaluation of whether policies and expenditures effectively promote gender equality.

Highest Reporting Since Inception

FY 2026–27 marks the highest number of reporting Ministries/Departments in the Gender Budget Statement since inception:

• 53 Ministries/Departments

• 5 Union Territories

• 4 new Ministries/Departments added this year

This expansion reflects increasing institutionalisation of Gender Budgeting across government departments.

Gender Budget 2026–27 Signals Stronger Commitment to Women’s Welfare

The Union Budget 2026–27 marks a substantial policy shift in favour of gender-responsive governance:

• ₹5.01 lakh crore allocation

• 11.55% increase over FY 2025–26

• Gender Budget share increased to 9.37%

• Highest-ever reporting participation

• Expanded classification under Parts A, B and C

• Strong participation from key Ministries

With institutional mechanisms, digital monitoring platforms, state-level GRB initiatives, and central schemes under Mission Shakti, India continues to deepen its commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

Gender Budgeting remains a powerful tool to ensure that public expenditure translates into tangible benefits for women and girls across sectors.

Read Full Day Compilation