Union Budget 2026–27: Rise in Gender Budget Allocation

The Union Budget 2026–27 witnessed a significant rise in Gender Budget (GB) allocation. It marked an allocation of ₹5.01 lakh crore, reflecting an 11.55% increase over the previous financial year. The share of the Gender Budget in the total Union Budget increased to 9.37%. A total of 53 Ministries/Departments and five Union Territories (UTs) reported Gender Budget allocations this year.

Meaning and Concept of Gender Budget (GB)

1. Gender Budget (GB) is a mechanism to assess whether the government’s gender equality commitments are reflected in actual budgetary allocations.
2. It does not create a separate budget exclusively for women.
3. It examines the entire Government Budget from a gender perspective, meaning it evaluates how public expenditure impacts women and men differently.

Adoption and Institutionalisation in India

1. India formally adopted Gender Budgeting in 2004–05.
2. Since adoption, Gender Budgeting has been institutionalized at both national and state levels.
3. Gender Budget Cells have been established in various ministries and departments.
   • Gender Budget Cells are dedicated units responsible for planning, monitoring, and reporting gender-related allocations.

Classification of Gender Budget

1. The Gender Budget is divided into three parts for clarity and transparency.
2. Part A includes schemes with 100% allocation for women.
3. Part B includes schemes where at least 30% of the allocation is meant for women.
4. Part C, introduced in the Union Budget 2024–25, includes schemes where allocation for women is below 30%.

Significance of Gender Budgeting

1. Gender Budgeting integrates gender concerns into planning and policymaking.
2. It helps reduce structural inequalities.
   • Structural inequalities refer to systemic disadvantages faced by women due to social, economic, and institutional barriers.
3. It promotes inclusive development.
   • Inclusive development refers to growth that benefits all sections of society equitably.

Key Initiatives Promoting Gender Budgeting in India

1. The Gender Budgeting Scheme functions under the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme of the Mission Shakti Scheme.
   • The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
   • Mission Shakti is a comprehensive programme focused on women’s empowerment and safety.
2. The Gender Budgeting Scheme aims for 100% coverage of Gender Budgeting in all central and state Ministries and Departments.
3. It also seeks to extend coverage to rural and urban local bodies.
4. Rural and urban local bodies are grassroots-level governance institutions responsible for local administration.
5. The Gender Budgeting Knowledge Portal (2025) was launched by the MWCD.
   • It serves as a digital repository of information related to Gender Budgeting practices.
   • A digital repository is an organized online platform for storing and accessing information.

State-Level Efforts

1. Odisha adopted Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in 2004–05.
   • It implemented GRB through the Women Component Plan.
   • Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) refers to applying gender analysis in budget formulation and implementation.
2. Karnataka developed a gender audit manual.
   • The gender audit manual is used to monitor and strengthen Gender Budget implementation.
   • A gender audit is a systematic evaluation of whether policies and expenditures effectively promote gender equality.

Ministry-Wise High Gender Allocation (FY 2026–27)

The following 11 Ministries/Departments reported more than 30% of their allocations in the Gender Budget:

1. Ministry of Women and 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%

This indicates that Gender Budgeting is no longer confined to welfare ministries but is integrated into: Infrastructure, Energy, Education, Rural development and Food security.