Empowering Women through Gender Budgeting in India: An Analysis of the Union Budget 2025–26

Gender equality is recognised as a core human right and a crucial factor in driving sustainable development. To achieve growth that is both inclusive and equitable, it is vital to ensure that individuals of all genders have equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making processes (Tsetsi & Rains, 2017). Gender budgeting serves as a strategic tool for gender mainstreaming, ensuring that women receive their rightful benefits and are empowered. This policy approach integrates a gender perspective into the budgetary process, ensuring that public resources are allocated equitably to address the distinct needs of all genders. By doing so, it not only enhances women's access to essential services and opportunities but also fosters accountability in government spending by evaluating the impact of financial allocations on various demographics. Therefore, advancing gender equality through budgetary allocation is not merely a fiscal obligation but a crucial step toward promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development. This study undertakes a thorough examination of the transformative effects of gender-sensitive budgeting, with a specific focus on the Gender Budget 2025-26, highlighting its significant impact on the nation's comprehensive progress and elucidating the nuanced strategies employed to promote gender equity and empower women across different sectors and regions of the country.