UP Budget 2026: Focus on Women, Youth, Jobs
Lucknow | Sachin Mudgal4 hours ago
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna will present the fifth budget of Yogi Adityanath government 2.0 in the state Assembly on Wednesday. With Assembly elections due next year, this budget is being widely seen as the government’s election budget.
The Model Code of Conduct is expected to come into force by the first week of January 2027, making this the last full budget before elections. The government is expected to use the budget to consolidate its voter base, with special focus on women, youth, farmers, workers and government employees.
The total budget size is likely to exceed Rs 9.20 lakh crore.
In this, the government will try to appease women, youth, farmers, laborers, and employees to consolidate its vote bank. The size of the budget could be more than 9 lakh 20 thousand crore. Read a special report on UP Budget…
Assembly elections are to be held in 2027, so the Yogi government will present the budget keeping all sections in mind.
Budget cleared, cabinet nod awaited
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Deepak Kumar have finalized the budget draft, which has already received approval from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
A formal cabinet approval will be taken in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Wednesday morning. Following this, the Finance Minister will present the budget in the Assembly at 11 am, while Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya will table it in the Legislative Council.
Budget size likely to cross ₹9 lakh crore
In the financial year 2025–26, the UP government had presented a budget of over ₹8.7 lakh crore, followed by two supplementary budgets.
Experts point out that the state government increases the budget size by nearly 20 percent every year, and with elections approaching, there is little chance of fiscal restraint. The upcoming budget is expected to cross ₹9.20 lakh crore.
What to expect in the budget
Outsourcing recruitment through service corporation
The state government has formed an Outsourcing Employees Service Corporation. It is expected that the budget may include provisions for recruitment through this body.
Before elections, the government is reportedly planning to recruit over 50,000 outsourced employees, along with a possible increase in their honorarium.
Pension amount may be increased
The government may announce a hike in monthly pensions for:
- Widows
- Destitute women
- Persons with disabilities
- Senior citizens
The pension amount could be raised from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month.
Honorarium hike for Shiksha Mitras and instructors
The budget may also bring relief to:
- 1.42 lakh Shiksha Mitras
- Over 27,000 instructors
Their monthly honorarium is expected to be increased by ₹2,000 each.
Eighth pay commission announcement likely
The government may announce the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission in Uttar Pradesh from April 1, 2026.
This move would directly benefit:
- Over 15 lakh government employees and teachers
- More than 11 lakh pensioners
Women and Youth to remain in focus
To strengthen the women voter base, the government may announce:
- Free bus travel for women aged 60 and above in UPSRTC buses
- Major incentives for women associated with Self-Help Groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission
For youth, the budget may include:
- Job proposals in government departments
- New schemes to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship
Metro expansion and Infrastructure push
The budget is expected to include provisions for:
- Metro rail expansion in Lucknow
- Possible announcements of metro projects in other cities
According to finance department officials, infrastructure development will remain a major focus area. MLAs may receive ₹10 crore or more for road construction projects in their respective constituencies.
Focus on BJP’s 2022 manifesto promises
Before the 2022 Assembly elections, the BJP had released a manifesto with 131 promises. Most major commitments have either been fulfilled or are under implementation.
Experts believe that due to the election year, the government may announce completion of the remaining 8–9 pending promises in this budget.
Nationwide attention on UP budget
The Uttar Pradesh budget is expected to draw attention not only within the state but also from political analysts and economic experts across the country.
Citizens will closely watch what promises the government fulfills ahead of elections and which new welfare schemes are announced.
Supplementary budget also an option
Political analysts note that the BJP often prefers strategic timing. It is possible that major announcements may be deferred, with big-ticket decisions announced later through a supplementary budget during the monsoon or winter Assembly session, depending on the political climate.
