Author: Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav (Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance) and Isha Khosla (Director, Department of Expenditure)
Budget 2026-27 analysed through its four structural pillars — Youth, Women, Farmers, and the Poor.
Youth
- New university townships near industrial corridors
- MSME Growth Fund: ₹10,000 crore
- Corporate Mitras initiative
- Orange Economy: AVGC labs in 15,000 schools + 500 colleges
- Tourism & Hospitality; new-age tech skills (AI, cloud, digital services)
Women
- SHE Marts for women SHGs
- 1.5 lakh multi-skilled caregivers
- Girls’ hostels in every district for STEM institutions
- Women in fisheries and coastal livelihoods
- National Handloom and Handicraft Programme
Farmers
- Bharat-VISTAAR AI platform for agriculture
- High-value & diversified agriculture; livestock/dairy/poultry boost
- Fisheries & Blue Economy: 500 reservoirs + Amrit Sarovars
- Coconut/cashew/cocoa self-reliance by 2030
Poor
- VB-G RAM G: 125 days guaranteed rural employment (replaces MGNREGA)
- PMGKAY: 5 kg free foodgrains
- Nutrition via Anganwadi
- Affordable housing: rural up 69%, urban up 179%
UPSC Angle
- GS2: Government schemes, welfare policies, inclusive growth
- GS3: Budget, economic development