NEW DELHI: ‘Gender budget‘ allocation has seen a more than 37% increase in the 2025-26 Union Budget, reaching Rs 4.5 lakh crore from the Rs 3.3 lakh crore in the financial year 2024-25, according to the women and child development (WCD) ministry.
The share of gender budget allocation in the total Union Budget – presented on Saturday – has increased to 8.9% in 2025-26 from 6.8% in 2024-25, it said. This year, 49 ministries and departments have got allocations as against 38 ministries and departments in 2024-25.
Among the top 10 ministries and departments that have reported more than 30% of their allocations in the gender budget for 2025-26, WCD ministry leads with nearly 82% of its funds dedicated to initiatives aimed at benefiting women and girls, followed by departments of rural development (over 65%) and food and public distribution (over 50%).