On March 12, Madhya Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Jagdish Devda, presented the state budget for 2025–26 in the assembly. The budget stands at Rs 4.21 lakh crore, marking a 15 per cent increase from last year’s Rs 3.65 lakh crore and making it the first time that the state’s budget has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. The discussion on the budget began on March 13. While presenting it, Devda emphasised that it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘GYAN’ framework, which focuses on Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadaata (farmers), and Naari (women). The budget also projects a revenue surplus of Rs 618 crore for the year.
The budget introduces no new taxes, ensuring a balance between development, empowerment, and inclusivity. Major allocations include Rs 2,000 crore for Simhastha Kumbh preparations, Rs 47,296 crore for Scheduled Tribe schemes, Rs 32,633 crore for Scheduled Caste schemes, and Rs 18,669 crore for Mukhya Mantri Laadli Behna Yojana, which provides financial aid to women.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the budget as a visionary plan that reflects the aspirations of Madhya Pradesh’s people while laying the foundation for the state’s goal of becoming a 2 trillion dollar economy by 2047 (about Rs 250 lakh crore). He also praised Jagdish Devda for presenting an inclusive and forward-thinking budget.
The budget maintains financial stability by keeping the fiscal deficit within 4 per cent of the state’s economy (GSDP). Madhya Pradesh expects a total revenue of Rs 2.90 lakh crore, with major contributions from central grants, state taxes, and non-tax revenue. It also plans to increase state tax revenue by 7 per cent and boost infrastructure spending by 31 per cent for long-term development.
The budget prioritises industry, infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and women & child development. A key initiative includes the creation of 39 new industrial areas across the state to attract investments and boost industrial growth, which is expected to generate over 3 lakh jobs. Overall, this budget focuses on economic growth, job creation, public welfare, and infrastructure development, without imposing additional tax burdens on the people.
Simhastha: Culture and Society
Following the successful hosting of Mahakumbh as a global event in Uttar Pradesh, it is now Madhya Pradesh’s turn to prepare for Simhastha 2028. The Madhya Pradesh Budget 2025-26 highlights the state’s strong focus on religion, culture, and tourism, with substantial financial allocations to preserve heritage, promote religious gatherings, and enhance infrastructure.
With a Rs 2,005 crore allocation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028, the government is setting the stage for one of the world’s largest religious events. Held every 12 years in Ujjain, Simhastha attracts millions of Sanatanis from across the globe. These funds will be used for river restoration, ghat construction, transport improvements, and accommodation facilities, ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for pilgrims.
To attract more devotees, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for the development of Ram Path Gaman and the town of Chitrakoot. Additionally, Omkareshwar Lok will be developed along the lines of Mahakal Lok Corridor in Ujjain. The Finance Minister also announced Rs 10 crore for the Shri Krishna Pathey Yojana.
Beyond Simhastha, Rs 1,610 crore has been set aside for cultural activities and religious development, an increase of Rs 133 crore from the previous year. Furthermore, Rs 507 crore has been allocated for developing 14 religious and cultural sites, enhancing influx of devotees while preserving the state’s rich heritage.
To promote religious education and spiritual learning, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the construction of Geeta Bhavans in various towns. These centers will include libraries, e-libraries, auditoriums, and literary hubs, facilitating spiritual studies and cultural enrichment. The Teerth Darshan Yojana, which has benefited over 800,000 senior citizens, will receive Rs 50 crore to continue providing free train travel for pilgrimages, along with special assistance for the differently-abled.
Strengthening Madhya Pradesh’s status as a center for spiritual learning, the government is establishing the Acharya Shankar International Advaita Vedanta Institute, along with a dedicated museum to promote the teachings of Acharya Shankar, the great philosopher of Advaita Vedanta. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the establishment of Vedanta Peeth, a center dedicated to philosophical discourse and research.
The tourism sector has also received a significant boost, with Rs 225 crore allocated for infrastructure development to improve facilities and enhance the overall visitor experience. Moreover, Rs 55 crore has been set aside for implementing the state’s tourism policy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making Madhya Pradesh a premier travel destination.
What is for “GYAN” in the Budget
Garib (The Poor)
The Budget, focuses on social welfare, infrastructure development, and economic growth. The total budget is Rs 4.21 lakh crore, which is 15 per cent more than last year. A major part of the budget, Rs 18,669 crore, has been allocated to the Mukhya Mantri Ladli Behna Yojana, which gives Rs 1,250 per month to eligible women to help them become financially independent. To support marginalised communities, Rs 47,296 crore has been set aside for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Rs 32,633 crore for Scheduled Castes (SCs), focusing on education, jobs, and social security.
For housing, Rs 4,400 crore has been allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban & Rural) to provide permanent homes to economically weaker sections. Food security is also a priority, with Rs 5,200 crore set aside to ensure free or subsidised food grains for the underprivileged. To improve healthcare, Rs 3,800 crore has been allotted to Ayushman Bharat and other free medical treatment programs, making quality healthcare accessible to low-income families.
The government has also focused on employment by allocating Rs 6,500 crore for rural job programs like MNREGA, providing work opportunities for the poor. Additionally, Rs 2,000 crore has been set aside for interest-free loans and self-employment support to help small businesses and startups run by economically weaker groups. These measures highlight the government’s commitment to reducing poverty and promoting social and economic development in Madhya Pradesh.
Yuva (The Youth)
The government has allocated Rs 7,245 crore to support young people through sports, education, and skill development. Out of this, Rs 4,591 crore is set aside for higher education, sports, and youth welfare, while Rs 2,645 crore is meant for employment, skill training, science and technology, and technical education. To enhance skills, the government is launching the “Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Skill Development Programme.”
In the next five years, Madhya Pradesh will establish one Madhya Pradesh Institute of Technology (MPIT) in each division, following the model of IITs. The budget also includes plans to improve higher education by setting up a National Defence University campus and a Digital University.
To boost sports, Khelo India Small Centers will be set up to train young talent. Additionally, the government will build at least one fully equipped stadium in every assembly segment, which can also be used as a helipad for the PM Shree Air Ambulance Service.
Annadata (The Farmers)
The government has allocated Rs 39,207 crore to the agriculture sector in the 2025-26 budget, showing its commitment to farmers’ welfare. Several key schemes have been strengthened to provide financial and infrastructure support to farmers. Under the Atal Krishi Jyoti Yojana, Rs 13,909 crore has been allotted to ensure a steady electricity supply for agriculture. Additionally, Rs 299 crore has been allocated by MPVVM to cover free electricity for 5 HP agricultural pumps, threshers, and light connections.
To help farmers with crop insurance, Rs 2,001 crore has been set aside for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The Mukhya Mantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana will receive Rs 5,220 crore to provide financial security to farmers. Another Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the Mukhya Mantri Fasal Upaarjan Sahayata Yojana to assist in crop procurement and improve farmers’ earnings, along with Rs 1,000 crore for bonus payments on crops bought at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Naari (The Women)
The budget focuses strongly on women’s empowerment and welfare through various schemes for financial independence, health, and education. A key allocation of Rs 18,669 crore has been made for the Mukhya Mantri Ladli Behna Yojana, which provides monthly financial assistance to eligible women, helping them gain economic stability and a stronger role in household decisions. Additionally, Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated to support women’s self-help groups (SHGs) through livelihood and entrepreneurship programs, enabling them to start businesses and become self-sufficient.
To improve maternal and child health, Rs 1,250 crore has been set aside for nutrition and healthcare programs, including incentives for pregnant and lactating mothers. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative has received Rs 800 crore to promote girls’ education and increase school enrollment. Another Rs 500 crore has been allocated for skill development and employment programs to encourage women’s participation in various industries and government initiatives.
For safety and security, Rs 300 crore has been allotted to set up women’s safety infrastructure, including help desks, self-defense training, and police support systems. Additionally, Rs 250 crore has been earmarked for expanding hostels and affordable housing for working women, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.
With these comprehensive measures, the Madhya Pradesh government aims to empower women socially and economically, fostering an environment of growth, equality, and self-sufficiency across the state.
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