Team TrickyScribe: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, 2025, highlighting a significant rise in Gender Budget allocation. The share of the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) in the total Union Budget has increased to 8.86% in FY 2025-26, up from 6.8% in FY 2024-25.
Massive ₹4.49 Lakh Crore Allocation for Women and Girls
The gender budget allocation for FY 2025-26 has been set at ₹4.49 lakh crore, marking a 37.25% increase from the ₹3.27 lakh crore allocated in FY 2024-25. This reflects the government’s strengthened commitment to women’s empowerment and gender-focused policies.
More Ministries & Departments Report Gender Budget Allocations
This year, a record 49 Ministries/Departments and 5 Union Territories (UTs) have reported allocations under the Gender Budget, compared to 38 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs in the previous fiscal year. This is the highest number of reporting entities since the introduction of the Gender Budget Statement.
New Ministries/Departments Reporting Gender Budget in FY 2025-26
Twelve new Ministries and Departments have been included in the Gender Budget Statement for the first time:
- 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
- Ministry of Railways
Breakdown of Gender Budget Statement: Part A, B & C Allocations
The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) is divided into three parts based on the share of funds allocated for women’s welfare:
- Part A (100% Women-Specific Schemes): ₹1,05,535.40 crore (23.50% of total GBS) allocated by 17 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs.
- Part B (30-99% Allocation for Women): ₹3,26,672.00 crore (72.75% of total GBS) allocated by 37 Ministries/Departments and 4 UTs.
- Part C (Below 30% Allocation for Women): ₹16,821.28 crore (3.75% of total GBS) allocated by 22 Ministries/Departments.
Top 10 Ministries with Over 30% Gender Budget Allocation
The following 10 Ministries/Departments have allocated more than 30% of their total budget towards gender-focused initiatives:
- Ministry of Women & Child Development – 81.79%
- Department of Rural Development – 65.76%
- Department of Food & Public Distribution – 50.92%
- Department of Health & Family Welfare – 41.10%
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy – 40.89%
- Department of Social Justice & Empowerment – 39.01%
- Department of Higher Education – 33.94%
- Department of School Education & Literacy – 33.67%
- Ministry of Home Affairs – 33.47%
- Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation – 31.50%
A Step Towards Gender-Inclusive Economic Growth
The increased focus on gender-responsive budgeting underscores the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive development. With higher allocations and more Ministries participating in the Gender Budget Statement, FY 2025-26 marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward gender equality in policymaking.
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