Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India

The Union Budget 2026–27 presents a confident roadmap for India’s next phase of growth. I congratulate Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for his visionary leadership and thank Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji for a Budget that balances ambition with inclusion, and reforms with responsibility.

This is a truly Yuva Shakti–driven Budget, anchored in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. By prioritising productivity, competitiveness and cutting-edge technologies, including AI, it lays a strong foundation for Viksit Bharat through sustained structural reforms and people-centric growth. It reinforces India’s steady economic trajectory through fiscal discipline, sustained growth and strategic investments in future-ready capacities.

A strong push to manufacturing, MSMEs and services stands out as a key growth engine. Investments across biopharma, semiconductors, electronics, textiles (SAMARTH 2.0), chemicals, capital goods and sports manufacturing will deepen domestic value chains and position India as a trusted global production hub. The three-pronged MSME framework, ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, TReDS-based liquidity, and professional support through “Corporate Mitras”, will empower entrepreneurs to scale and compete.

Initiatives such as AI-backed Bharat Vistaar to integrate agri-stack, creation of SheMarts, Biopharma SHAKTI, ISM 2.0, rejuvenation of industrial clusters, creation of champion MSMEs through equity support, and the 10-year Khelo India Mission reflect a future-ready approach that integrates technology, health, agriculture and human capital.

A defining feature of this Budget is its decisive commitment to skill development and human capital. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has received a 62% increase in allocation, with the budget rising from ₹6,100 crore to ₹9,885.80 crore, affirming the Government’s resolve to place skills at the centre of economic transformation. From NSQF-aligned programmes and caregiver training to modernised textile skilling, sports ecosystems and industry-linked pathways, this Budget creates a seamless bridge from education to employment and entrepreneurship, preparing youth to lead in manufacturing, services, technology and the care economy.

The renewed emphasis on the services sector, including healthcare, medical value tourism, AVGC, design, IT and hospitality, recognises that India’s growth will be powered as much by skills and services as by infrastructure. Continued public capital expenditure will crowd in private investment and expand opportunities across Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

I especially welcome the strong focus on agriculture and allied sectors, particularly for states like Uttar Pradesh, —supporting high-value farming, fisheries, animal husbandry, FPOs and agri-startups. These measures will strengthen farmer incomes while opening new avenues for rural youth and women-led enterprises. Integrating skilling with agriculture and rural entrepreneurship will help move our villages from subsistence to sustainability.

The Budget also advances social inclusion through targeted support for women, Divyangjans, education, healthcare and social justice. Empowering women through hostels, skilling and entrepreneurship, alongside focused interventions for persons with disabilities, reflects our commitment to ensuring that every citizen participates meaningfully in India’s growth story.

Sports receives a strategic boost as well, recognising its potential for manufacturing, innovation and youth engagement, while aligning with Uttar Pradesh’s emerging role in sports goods clusters and talent development, and strengthening India’s preparations as we move forward with our bid to host the Olympic Games in 2036. We recently launched SportsEdge Meerut in alignment with this vision—an initiative aimed at building a world-class sports goods manufacturing cluster by integrating skilling, innovation and MSME support, and I am confident it will add significant value by creating jobs, strengthening local enterprises and nurturing sporting talent.

Taken together, Budget 2026–27 is not just a financial statement, it is a national mission document. It strengthens economic foundations, unlocks enterprise, empowers farmers and MSMEs, and invests deeply in skills.