Budget 2026: 5 Election-Bound States to Receive Major Funding Boost

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her 9th consecutive Union Budget on February 1, at 11 AM.
• The Budget 2026 is under special scrutiny due to upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam.
• West Bengal has seen significant investment in road, highway, urban transport, and railway projects, including the Vande Bharat Sleeper train and Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• Tamil Nadu's budget focus is on logistics, transport infrastructure, industrial parks, and manufacturing, supporting its role as an export hub.
• Kerala expects support for highways, urban transport, coastal infrastructure, tourism, and disaster-resilient development; Assam for highways, railways, and flood control; Puducherry for urban infrastructure and civic amenities.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 prioritizes funding for five election-bound states, focusing on infrastructure and development.