Gender budget allocation rises to Rs 5.01 lakh crore in Union Budget 2026–27

New Delhi, Feb 18, 2026 : An allocation of 5.01 lakh crore rupees has been earmarked for the welfare of women and girls in the Gender Budget Statement for the current financial year, reflecting an 11.55 per cent increase over 4.49 lakh crore rupees in the previous financial year.

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, with a significant rise in the Gender Budget allocation. The Ministry of Women and Child Development informed that the share of Gender Budget in the total Union Budget has increased to 9.37 per cent in the current financial year from 8.86 per cent in the previous Financial Year.

It also said that a total of 53 Ministries and Departments and five Union Territories have reported allocations this year, compared to 49 Ministries and Departments and five UTs last year, marking the highest reporting since inception. The Ministry informed that four new Ministries and Departments have reported allocations in the current fiscal.