The Uttar Pradesh Government led by Yogi Adityanath has presented its budget for the financial year 2025-26 this Thursday, which is a nonth consecutive budget of the administration. An INR 8,08,736 crore budget that allocates 22% of its funds for development, 13% for education, 11% for agriculture and related purposes, 6% for healthcare and 4% for social security programs. UP Finance Minister states that the budget primarily focuses on research and development and Information Technology, targeting for a $1 trillion economy.
The Uttar Pradesh budget is the highest ever, more than any other state’s budget in the country. Moreover, if we talk about UP alone, this year’s presented budget is 9.8% more than the budget of the year 2024-26. this year’s budget comes amid the grand Mahakumbh and also when the state is witnessing a growth in various sectors.
But it is not the amount or the percentage that really sets Uttar Pradesh’s budget apart. But the interesting schemes that you will find in the declaration. Here is an insight:
Ujjwala scheme
The Ujjwala scheme aims to attract households at large, especially the women. The government has announced to provide two free cylinders from now on, to provide the eligible families an access to clean cooking fuel.
The skyhigh solar plans
UP Government is ensuring the utmost use of solar energy in the state. This includes:
The plan to create a solar city in Ayodhya. The city has also been provided a separate Rs.150 crore to develop the tourism infrastructure in the city. 3000 Surya Mitras will be trained under the solar policy. The stae aims to generate 22,000 megawatts of solar power.
Construction of four new expressways
A whopping Rs.900 crores has been allocated for the construction of four new expressways in the state that will ensure smooth connectivity, both inter-state and intra-state as well as generate economic activities. This includes a greenfield expressway that will connect Agra-Lucknow expressway to Ganga expressway, the Vindhya expressway, Ganga expressway extension and the Bundelkhand Rewa expressway.
It also includes the Baake Bihari ji Maharaj temple corridor (Mathura Vrindavan) that will promote religious tourism.
From municipalities to smart cities
There is a plan for converting 58 municipalities of the state to model smart cities, a key priority of the Uttar Pradesh Government for urban development. The Budget 2025-26 provides Rs.145 crore for this project.
Farmer welfare fund
Rs. 1,050 to be provided under the farmer welfare fund as a financial assistance to the farmers in a case of accidental death or disability. Five agriculture universities will also be established in the state to promote education and research in the field, generating curiosity among the learners.
Development of an artificial intelligence city
The government has allocated a sum of 5 crores for the development of an artificial city in Lucknow to establish Uttar Pradesh as a hub of AI driven research and development. An additional Technology Research Translation park will be established for technological research and innovation in cyber security. Not only this, Science city, Science parks and Planetariums will be revamped for the students and researchers, keeping them engaged with scientific curiosity. The government also plans to establish eight data parks in the state.
Rs. 400 crores for…
Yogi Government has declared allocation of Rs. 400 crores for the Rani Lakshmi Bai Scooter Yojana that will distribute scooters eligible girls pursuing higher education. This will promote higher education among young women in merit, encouraging them to study further building a future for themselves. Moreover, Rs.900 crore will be provided for pre and post 10th scholarships for general category students.
From outdated to smart
UP Government will allocate Rs.300 crores for the primary schools to turn them into smart schools, providing them an access to a digital and modernized learning. For this, schools will have ICT labs, digital libraries and smart classrooms, further ensuring an industry relevant training for the young learners. It also plans to set up a Center of Excellence for AI and emerging technologies, to facilitate innovation.
Zero poverty scheme
The Zero Poverty Abhiyan was launched by the government on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in 2024. For the successful campaign, the Government has allocated a separate Rs.250 crores under the Zero Poverty scheme. Under the campaign, the government is taking action to identify poorest of families from each Gram Panchayat, helping them meet their basic needs, bringing their annual income to at least Rs.1,25,000. This will economically uplift the poorest and marginalized.
For the workers, the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will set up Labor bases that will be equipped with canteens, drinking water and sanitation facilities in order to improve the working conditions of the laborers.
Smart devices for the revenue personnel
A separate sum of Rs.24 crores is set aside in the budget to provide laptops, smart phones and other electronic devices for the revenue personnel of the state for all the online and digital work. This will facilitate digital governance in the state.
CM’s mass marriage scheme
The government provides for Rs.550 crores for the CM Mass marriage scheme that provides grant for the daughters belonging to all classes and sections of the society. Needy and underprivileged women will be ensured financial support under the Destitute Woman Pension scheme which is allocated with Rs.2,980 crore.
For the differently abled individuals, Rs.1,424 crore has been allocated towards the Disabled maintenance Grant scheme.
The state legislative assembly will also undergo modernization, upgrading to IT infrastructure, advancing in governance. The budget also proposes Rs27 crore for autonomous medical college in Ballia and RS25 crore for another one in Balrampur. Six new forensic science laboratories will also be established in Ayodhya, Basti, Banda, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Sahranpur. This will broaden and strengthen forensic capabilities of the state. Jal Jeevan mission is allocated Rs4500 crore for availability of water in the rural areas and Mukhyamantri Green Road scheme with Rs800 crore.
Yogi’s “Double engine Government” envisions on Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas. Opposition has its own stand to the budget, further realities will be revealed…when the ambitions get fulfilled.