On Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the 2026-27 financial year. As India steps into the future, apprehensions are building as to which ministry would be allocated the largest amount of money by the Union government.
But which ministry was given the biggest purse in the Union Budget of 2025-26? Here's a look
Which ministry received the largest allocation in the last Budget?
In last year's Union Budget, the Ministry of Defence emerged as the biggest spender among all ministries. It was given Rs. 6,81,210.27 crore, which made up 13.45 per cent of the total Budget. This was a 9.53 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
Out of the total Rs. 6.81 lakh crore allocation, the largest share went to day-to-day needs. Revenue expenditure was fixed at Rs. 3,11,732.30 crore. This covered salaries, allowances, and operational requirements. It formed 45.76 per cent of the total defence budget.
Also Read | Is the stock market open on Budget Day 2026? Here's what we know about NSE, BSE operations on Feb 1
Money for long-term upgrades was also set aside. The purse for modernisation and new purchases stood at Rs. 1,80,000 crore. Pensions for defence personnel accounted for Rs. 1,60,795 crore. Civil organisations under the Defence Ministry received Rs 28,682.97 crore.
Equipment, research, and development prioritised
Of the Rs. 1,80,000 crore capital allocation, Rs. 1,48,722.80 crore was meant for acquiring platforms and equipment. The remaining Rs. 31,277.20 crore was kept for research, infrastructure, and development work.
Also Read | HAL ties up with Russia's Yakovlev to expand India's civil aviation footprint
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was allocated Rs. 26,816.82 crore in 2025-26. This was a 12.41 per cent increase from the previous year's Rs. 23,855.61 crore. The funds were aimed at developing advanced defence technologies and strengthening ties with Indian industries.
The Indian Coast Guard was given Rs. 9,676.70 crore to enhance maritime security. The Border Roads Organisation received Rs 7,146.50 crore to improve strategic infrastructure from the defence budget.
