Budget 2026–27: Higher welfare outlays mask poor spending efficiency

By A Representative

The Union Budget 2026–27 presents a mixed picture for welfare spending, with higher allocations for several social sectors but continuing concerns over reduced actual expenditure and weak implementation, according to an analysis by the Pathey Budget Center.

The study, authored by budget analyst Mahender Jethmalani, compares budget estimates for 2026–27 with revised estimates for 2025–26 across key welfare categories including the Gender Budget, Child Budget, Scheduled Caste Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.

The analysis shows that revised estimates for 2025–26 were substantially lower than the original budget estimates across most social sectors, indicating a rollback in spending on programmes meant for women, children and marginalised communities.

The Gender Budget Part A, which includes schemes with 100 per cent allocation for women and girls, recorded the steepest cut, with revised estimates lower by ₹30,158 crore, a reduction of nearly 29 per cent. Only about 71 per cent of the allocated amount was likely to be spent, with major cuts seen in housing schemes such as PM Awas Yojana in both urban and rural areas, as well as Mission Shakti.

The Child Budget Part A also saw a reduction of ₹8,735 crore in the revised estimates for 2025–26, amounting to a cut of around 10 per cent. Key schemes related to education and nutrition, including PM SHRI Schools and PM Poshan, were affected.

In contrast, the Scheduled Caste Plan and the Tribal Sub-Plan showed relatively strong spending efficiency, utilising 96 per cent and 95 per cent of their allocations respectively, despite facing cuts of over ₹7,000 crore each at the revised estimate stage.

Commenting on the findings, Mahender Jethmalani said the trend highlights a growing gap between budgetary intent and actual delivery. “While the Budget Estimates for 2026–27 indicate increased allocations for most social categories, the critical issue remains execution. Repeated reductions at the revised estimate stage dilute the impact of welfare commitments,” he said.

The analysis also points to serious underutilisation in certain tribal-focused programmes. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan spent only 36 per cent of its allocated funds, while the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan utilised around 63 per cent.

Despite an overall increase in allocations for the Scheduled Caste Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan in the 2026–27 Budget, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya scheme is the only category to witness a significant reduction compared to the previous year’s budget estimate.

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Budget 2026 focuses on pharma and medical tourism, overlooks public health needs: JSAI

By A Representative Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has criticised the Union Budget 2026, stating that it overlooks core public health needs while prioritising the pharmaceutical industry, private healthcare, medical tourism, public-private partnerships, and exports related to AYUSH systems. In a press note issued from New Delhi, the public health network said that primary healthcare services and public health infrastructure continue to remain underfunded despite repeated policy assurances.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

Silencing the university: How fear is replacing debate in academic India

By Sunil Kyumar* “Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival gives us renewed energy and inspiration to move forward together with the resolve of nation-building”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2026. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit subhashita— “Paratantryābhibhūtasya deśasyābhyudayaḥ kutaḥ. Ataḥ svātantryamāptavyaṁ aikyaṁ svātantryasādhanam.”

Harsh Mander moves police over Assam CM’s remarks on Bengali-speaking Muslims

By A Representative Peace and justice worker and writer Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over public statements made on January 27 at an official event in Digboi, Tinsukia district, alleging that the remarks promote hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.

Advisor appointment rekindles debate on governance in Jammu & Kashmir

By Raqif Makhdoomi* The government in Jammu and Kashmir has completed approximately one and a half years in office. During the initial phase of its tenure, public expectations were shaped by commitments made during the election campaign. In particular, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, stated at a press conference held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) that major promises would be addressed within the first six months of governance. As the government has now crossed two such six-month periods, public discourse continues to assess the extent to which these commitments have been met.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Search This Blog