Assam interim Budget 2026-27 | 18 Feb 2026

Why in News? 

The Government of Assam presented its interim budget of ₹62,294.78 crore for the financial year 2026-27 in the Assam Legislative Assembly. 

Key Points: 

  • Budget Presentation: Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog tabled the vote on account (interim budget) of ₹62,294.78 crore in the Assembly to cover government expenditure for the initial months of FY 2026-27. 
    • The interim budget comes at a politically significant time as Assam prepares for assembly elections likely to be held in March-April 2026 across 126 constituencies.  
  • Flagship Welfare Schemes: Major flagship schemes providing direct cash benefits will continue, including: 
    • Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni: Monthly financial assistance (₹1,000-₹2,500) to over 5.5 lakh girl students, credited with reducing dropout rates and increasing enrolment. 
    • Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme: Monthly support (₹1,000-₹2,000) for 47,428 boys from economically weaker families in higher education. 
    • Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme: Monthly assistance of ₹2,500 to 48,319 fresh graduates. 
    • Pragyan Bharti: Fee waivers (~₹780 crore) benefiting about 3.5 lakh UG and PG students yearly. 
  • Orunodoi Programme: The state’s flagship poverty alleviation scheme has expanded from 19 lakh to nearly 40 lakh families, including Divyangjan, transgender persons, and other vulnerable groups, making it one of Assam’s largest social assistance programmes. 
  • Women’s Empowerment: Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan, over 30.63 lakh women received ₹10,000 seed capital each through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), resulting in 8.80 lakh “Lakhpati Baideo” driving rural economic activity. 
  • Economic Growth Targets: The budget speech highlighted Assam’s rapid economic trajectory: 
    • Assam is projected to become a ₹10 lakh crore economy by 2028, ahead of the earlier target of 2030. 
    • Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated at ₹8.71 lakh crore for 2026-27. 
    • Between FY 2019-20 and 2024-25, the state’s GSDP grew by 45%, outperforming the national average. 
  • Per Capita Income: Assam’s per capita income more than doubled over five years, from ₹86,947 in 2020-21 to ₹1,85,429 in 2025-26—an increase of 113%. 
  • Revenue Performance: The state’s own tax revenue surged by 75% between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, reflecting improved fiscal management and reduced dependency on central transfers.  
  • Fiscal Outlook: In her budget speech, the Finance Minister stated that Assam is currently one of India’s fastest-growing states and projected that the state economy could reach ₹10 lakh crore by 2028, ahead of its earlier target. This reflects sustained economic momentum and growth. 
  • Capital Expenditure & Debt Management: Capital expenditure expanded significantly, and the state managed borrowing prudently, channeling funds toward productive assets while maintaining a sound debt-to-GSDP ratio. 
  • Social Sector Progress: The budget also emphasised achievements in food security (covering over 70 lakh families under NFSA), expansion of healthcare infrastructure, and improvement in educational facilities including doubling medical colleges and investing in new ones. 
  • Poverty Alleviation & Inclusion: The government highlighted continued efforts to include vulnerable groups under various social safety nets, insurance schemes, and welfare programmes such as PMAY (urban/rural) and pension schemes.