In March 2025, Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister (CM) and also holds the charge of Finance Minister(FM) of Delhi, presented the Rs 1 lakh crore budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY 26), marking a 43.8% increase in the total budget outlay. The budget focuses on ten key areas, including infrastructure, women’s empowerment, Yamuna rejuvenation, water supply, and urban connectivity.
Financial Indicators:
i.The Fiscal Deficit(FD) for FY 26 is estimated at Rs 13,702 crore, marking an 899.67% rise from the previous year’s revised estimate of Rs 1,523 crore.
ii.The capital expenditure (CapEx) in this year’s budget has been doubled to Rs 28,000 crore, risen to 28% from 20% last year.
iii.Revenue sources include: Rs 68,700 crore from tax collection, Rs 4,128 crore from Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) (a 28.03% increase), Rs 7,968 crore from central assistance, which has increased by 582.1%.
- It also projected an increase of nearly 17% in tax revenue, from Rs 58,750 crore in the FY25 budget estimates to Rs 68,700 crore in FY26.
Key Allocations:
I.Yamuna Cleaning and Water Management:
i.To ensure wastewater is treated at the source before reaching the Yamuna, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the construction of 40 decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs).
ii.To strengthen the sewage infrastructure, Rs 250 crore has been earmarked for replacing old sewer lines.
iii.To improve water quality and public health, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water and sanitation projects.
II.Infrastructure and Urban Development:
i.To enhance flood control measures and prevent waterlogging during monsoons, Rs 150 crore has been allocated for the remodeling of drains.
ii.To create a safer and cleaner urban environment, Rs 100 crore has been set aside for shifting all overhead power cables underground.
III.Healthcare and Social Welfare: The Delhi government has allocated Rs 6,874 crore to the health sector, focusing on establishing new health and wellness centers and expanding the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative.
- Additionally, Rs 210 crore has been reserved for providing nutrient kits and a Rs 21,000 allowance to expecting mothers.
- Rs 2,144 crore has been allocated for the PM Jan Arogya Yojana to strengthen healthcare services.
IV.Public Transport and Connectivity: Rs 12,952 crore allocated to the transport sector, including Rs 1,000 crore for improving connectivity between Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region).
- Pink tickets in free bus rides for women will be replaced with smart cards to curb misuse and corruption.
- Rs 300 crore allocated to tackle pollution control.
V.Women’s Welfare and Safety Education and Skill Development:
Rs 5,100 crore has been earmarked for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, which will provide Rs 2,500 per month to each eligible woman as financial assistance.
VI.Education: Rs 100 crore allotted for CM SHRI Schools, inspired by PM SHRI (Schools for Rising India) Schools and aligned with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and also announced to provide free laptops to 1,200 students passing class X.
- A new education hub will be set up in Narela with an initial investment of Rs 100 crore.
- The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stipend Scheme will be launched with a Rs 5 crore budget, providing a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend to Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing technical and vocational education.
Key Initiatives:
i.Delhi will host its first-ever ‘Global Investment Summit’, to be held every two years, to attract global investors.
ii.A new industrial policy and warehouse policy will be introduced. A Traders’ Welfare Board will be established.
iii.Rs 50 crore allocated for skill development programs, including bee-keeping initiatives to support small-scale industries.
iv.An Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) will be established to monitor real-time environmental parameters like air and water quality, noise levels, and waste management.
v.Rs 30 crore allocated to organize Delhi’s first International Film Festival.
vi.Rs 10 crore allocated to launch the Chief Minister’s Young Visionaries Innovation Programme, encouraging young minds to contribute ideas for policy and governance.
vii.Rs 100 crore earmarked for establishing 100 Atal Canteens, providing subsidized meals at Rs 5 per plate.
viii.Rs 6,897 crore has been allocated to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to support efforts to clean and maintain the capital.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister (CM)– Rekha Gupta
Governor – Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Capital- New Delhi
