NEW DELHI, Feb 1: On Saturday, the Union Budget for 2025-26 designated Rs 2,33,210.68 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Of this, the largest portion—Rs 1,60,391.06 crore—has been allocated to central police forces such as the CRPF, BSF, and CISF, which are tasked with maintaining internal security, border protection, and safeguarding critical installations.
In comparison, the previous Union Budget for 2024-25 allocated Rs 2,19,643.31 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has earmarked Rs 41,000.07 crore for Jammu and Kashmir, now a union territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Additional budget allocations include Rs 6,212.06 crore for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rs 6,187.48 crore for Chandigarh, Rs 2,780 crore for Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Rs 4,692.15 crore for Ladakh, Rs 1,586.16 crore for Lakshadweep, and Rs 3,432.20 crore for Puducherry.
However, the budget has allocated a minimal Rs 574.80 crore (a decrease from Rs 572 crore in 2024-25) for census-related work, suggesting that the decennial census is likely to be further postponed. Originally scheduled for 2020-21, the census has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the paramilitary forces, the CRPF received Rs 35,147.17 crore, an increase from the revised estimate of Rs 34,328.61 crore in 2024-25. The BSF received Rs 28,231.27 crore (up from Rs 27,895.73 crore), the CISF was allocated Rs 16,084.83 crore (increased from Rs 15,272.22 crore), the ITBP received Rs 10,370 crore (up from Rs 9,861.14 crore), while the SSB was assigned Rs 10,237.28 crore (up from Rs 9,834.59 crore), and the Assam Rifles were allocated Rs 8,274.29 crore (compared to Rs 7,855.23 crore in 2024-25).
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) primarily handles internal security operations, counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, operations against Naxals in central and eastern India, and insurgency management in the northeastern regions.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for securing India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and also takes on internal security roles.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protects critical infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, airports, and metro systems.
Additionally, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) secures the India-China border, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) guards the borders with Nepal and Bhutan. The Assam Rifles are responsible for the Myanmar border.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) received Rs 3,893.35 crore (down from Rs 3,966.21 crore in 2024-25), while the Delhi Police was allotted Rs 11,931.66 crore (up from Rs 11,467.62 crore in 2024-25) and the Special Protection Group received Rs 489.00 crore (a decrease from Rs 510.97 crore in 2024-25).
The IB functions as India’s internal intelligence agency, the Delhi Police is tasked with safeguarding the national capital, and the SPG provides security for the prime minister.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, now directly overseen by the central government, has been allocated Rs 9,325.73 crore (compared to Rs 8,665.94 in 2024-25).
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) received Rs 1,922.59 crore (up from Rs 1,838.38 crore in 2024-25), and Rs 4,069.24 crore has been designated for the modernization of police forces (an increase from Rs 2,623.74 crore in 2024-25).
Additionally, Rs 5,597.25 crore has been allocated for Border Infrastructure and Management, Rs 4,379.20 crore for police infrastructure development, Rs 960.12 crore for women’s safety initiatives, Rs 12,491.17 crore for various central sector projects and programs from the Home Ministry, Rs 4,876.34 crore for security-related expenditures, and Rs 1,056.40 crore for the Vibrant Villages Programme.
The Budget also includes a provision of Rs 1,024.30 crore for the Cabinet, covering costs like the council of ministers, cabinet secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, and government hospitality and entertainment expenses, while Rs 2,721.20 crore has been allocated for various social service initiatives, including disaster relief.
Furthermore, the Safe City Project has been allocated Rs 215.34 crore, grants-in-aid to state governments total Rs 3,494.39 crore, grants-in-aid to union territory governments are Rs 1,515.02 crore, and capital outlay for the northeastern region is set at Rs 810.00 crore. (Agencies)
