Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared the presentation of the state’s largest-ever budget in the Assembly today, surpassing the financial plans of any other Indian state. He described it as the ninth budget under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized its crucial role in shaping the next 25 years of development, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution.
During a press briefing at Tilak Hall following the budget’s presentation by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, CM Adityanath highlighted the budget’s alignment with the vision of “priority to the underprivileged,” a key principle of the Prime Minister’s governance.
Key Highlights of the 2025-26 Budget:
- Budget Size: Over ₹8.08 lakh crore, marking a 9.8% increase from 2024-25.
- Capital Expenditure: ₹2.25 lakh crore, aiming to boost infrastructure and job creation.
- GDP Growth: Estimated increase from ₹12.89 lakh crore (2017-18) to ₹27.51 lakh crore (2024-25).
- Fiscal Deficit: 2.97% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
- NITI Aayog Ranking: Uttar Pradesh recognized as a “Front Runner” in fiscal management.
- New Allocations: ₹28,478 crore earmarked for new projects.
- Zero Poverty Initiative: Provisions made to eradicate poverty across the state.
Major Development Plans:
- B.R. Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Center: To be constructed in Lucknow.
- District Economic Zones: To be named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in every district.
- Libraries & Digital Centers: Dedicated to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in urban areas.
- Textile Parks: In 10 districts named after Sant Kabir; Leather Parks in two districts after Sant Ravidas.
- Farmer Welfare: Every major mandi will have a rest house and an Annapurna Canteen named after Mata Shabari.
- Women’s Hostels: Dedicated to Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar in seven districts.
- Scholarships & Mobility for Girls: ₹400 crore allocated for providing scooters to meritorious students under the Rani Lakshmi Bai Scheme.
- Infrastructure Expansion: ₹1.79 lakh crore allocated.
- Education: Over ₹1.06 lakh crore, comprising 13% of the total budget.
- Agriculture & Allied Sectors: ₹89,353 crore, accounting for 11% of the budget.
- Smart City & Urban Development: District-level municipal councils to be developed on Smart City models; Kanpur, Meerut, and Mathura to be upgraded to Prayagraj’s standards.
- Social Welfare: ₹35,863 crore allocated.
- Expressways & Bridges: Four new expressways planned, alongside two new bridges in Prayagraj over the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
- AI & Technology Hub: Lucknow to be developed as an Artificial Intelligence hub.
- Convention Centers & Rural Infrastructure: One convention center per division and an Utsav Bhavan in every Gram Panchayat.
CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized that Uttar Pradesh has undergone a transformative journey over the past eight years, with each budget following a specific theme. Previous budgets focused on agricultural upliftment, industrial expansion, women’s empowerment, youth employment, and economic self-reliance.
As Uttar Pradesh continues to position itself as a model of governance and economic progress, this budget marks another milestone in its ambitious growth trajectory.
