₹1.58 Lakh Crore Jharkhand Budget 2026-27: Big Push for Agriculture, Health and Tourism

Ranchi: Jharkhand Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore on Tuesday presented a ₹1,58,560 crore budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Assembly, laying out an expansive roadmap centred on farmers, women, social security, infrastructure and job creation.

Opening his speech with tributes to the state’s martyrs and veteran leader Shibu Soren, Kishore said the coalition government remains committed to realising the vision behind Jharkhand’s formation despite political and financial challenges. The budget size is about 9% higher than the previous year.

The minister flagged fiscal stress due to what he described as inadequate central support, alleging that nearly ₹5,000 crore in tax dues is pending and that the state faces a loss of about ₹5,640 crore because of GST adjustments and MNREGA funding changes. He asserted that development work would continue through internal resources even without full central cooperation.

Focus on Farmers and Rural Economy

The budget places strong emphasis on agriculture and allied activities.

• ₹25 crore allocated under the Mahila Kisan Khushali Yojana to promote integrated farming and improve market access for women farmers.

• ₹19.88 crore earmarked for expansion of cash crops such as sugarcane and jute.

• ₹162.20 crore provisioned for cold storage-cum-solar complexes in every Assembly constituency.

Women Empowerment

Women-centric welfare received major attention in the budget.

• Mahila Kisan Khushali Yojana: ₹25 crore.

• Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana: ₹2,500 per month support; total outlay ₹14,065.57 crore.

• Gender Budget: ₹34,211.27 crore across 232 schemes.

Social Security and Housing

The government expanded its welfare safety net.

• Abua Housing Scheme: ₹4,100 crore.

• Sarvajan Pension Scheme: ₹3,517.23 crore.

• Child Budget: ₹10,793 crore across multiple schemes.

Major Push in Health and Medical Education

Healthcare infrastructure will see significant strengthening.

• Target to open 750 Abua Dispensaries to ensure affordable medicines.

• PET and CT scan machines to be installed in five government medical colleges.

• Mammography machines in 24 district hospitals.

• Latehar, Sahebganj and Saraikela Sadar hospitals to be upgraded into medical colleges.

• ₹7,990.30 crore allocated for health, medical education and family welfare.

Education and Skill Development Drive

The state announced a broad education expansion plan.

• Five Jharkhand Girls Residential Schools to be set up in Dhanbad, Palamu, Latehar and Garhwa.

• Target to operationalise 100 new CM Schools of Excellence.

• Model schools to be established for dependents of martyrs.

• 17 polytechnic institutes to be developed in collaboration with IITs and NITs under the J-Pragati Yojana.

• Plan to upgrade all government polytechnics into Jharkhand Institutes of Technology (JhIT).

• Establishment of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Chatra.

• ₹16,251.43 crore earmarked for the education sector.

• Introduction of Artificial Intelligence training in six ITIs.

Roads, Bridges and Tourism Boost

To improve connectivity and tourism potential:

• ₹1,000 crore for new roads under Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana.

• ₹730 crore for bridges under Gram Setu Yojana.

• Glass bridges and ropeways proposed at Dasham and Jonha Falls.

• Ropeway planned at Hundru Falls.

• Eco-tourism push at Rajrappa, Patratu, Netarhat, Punasi Dam, Malay Dam, Koleswari Hills and Perwaghagh Falls.

Industry and Employment Outlook

The government said investment proposals worth ₹1.24 lakh crore have been received via the World Economic Forum platform, with potential to generate about 45,000 jobs. The state also targets ₹20,000 crore in fresh investments under industrial policies, expected to create another 15,000 jobs.

Fiscal Snapshot

• Total Budget: ₹1,58,560 crore

• Revenue Expenditure: ₹1,20,851.90 crore (↑9.2%)

• Capital Expenditure: ₹37,708.10 crore (↑8.5%)

• Fiscal Deficit: ₹13,595.96 crore (2.18% of GSDP)

• Estimated GSDP (2024-25): ₹5.16 lakh crore

The government aims to double the state economy within five years, targeting 14% growth at current prices.

Revenue Sources

• State tax revenue: ₹46,000 crore

• Non-tax revenue: ₹20,700 crore

• Central assistance: ₹18,273.66 crore

• Share in central taxes: ₹51,236.38 crore

• Public debt: ₹22,049.96 crore

• Loan recovery: ₹300 crore

The government has accepted the Fifth State Finance Commission’s recommendation to allocate 4% of net self-tax revenue to local bodies.

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Jharkhand Budget 2026–27 emerges as a welfare-driven yet infrastructure-focused blueprint, placing women, farmers, health expansion and education at the core while navigating fiscal pressures and Centre–state funding tensions.