Gender Budget Allocation Rises in Union Budget 2026–27

Syllabus: GS1/Society; GS2/Governance

Context

• 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.
  • This is an increase of Rs. 11.55% over the GBS allocation of Rs. 4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

What is Gender Budgeting (GB)?

• GB is an approach that integrates gender equality into government’s planning and budgeting processes and analyses how budgets can promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• It was first introduced in 2005-06.

Legal Framework for Women Empowerment in India

• The Indian Constitution guarantees gender equality through provisions in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy.
  • Article 14 ensures equality before the law, while Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on sex. 
  • Article 51(a)(e) encourages citizens to renounce practices derogatory to women’s dignity. 
  • The Directive Principles, particularly Articles 39 and 42, emphasize equal livelihood opportunities, equal pay, and maternity relief.

Need for Gender Budgeting

• Disparities: Despite constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 15, women continue to face disparities in literacy, workforce participation, wages, health, and access to assets.
  • Gender budgeting helps correct these systemic imbalances.
• Correcting Invisible Bias in Budgeting: Gender budgeting ensures that schemes in sectors like agriculture, MSMEs, infrastructure, and transport consider women’s specific needs.
• Economic Growth & Demographic Dividend: Enhancing women’s economic participation boosts GDP growth.
  • Studies show that increasing female workforce participation can significantly raise national income levels.

Government Initiatives

• Mission Shakti is a women empowerment programme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) for the period 2021-2025.
  • It aims to strengthen interventions for women’s welfare, safety, and empowerment, making women equal partners in nation-building.
• Initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, and PM Matru Vandana Yojana have also contributed to significant improvements in the welfare and empowerment of women and girls. 
• The Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programmes focus on improving women’s health beyond just calorie intake and improving overall health and immunity with proper micronutrients.
• The Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE KIRAN) program has supported nearly 1,962 women scientists from 2018 to 2023.
• Nari Shakti Puraskar: Recognizes the contributions of women in various fields, celebrating achievements and inspiring others.
• Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: Provides for 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for women working in the private sector and government.

Source: AIR