Union Budget 2026: Census Push Drives Jump In Home Ministry Allocation

Last Updated:February 01, 2026, 13:32 IST

Officials familiar with the exercise say the spike reflects preparations for long-pending national census, including investment in digital enumeration platforms & logistics network

The developmental head “Census Surveys and Statistics” mirrors this expansion, climbing from Rs 509.86 crore to Rs 5,762.79 crore.

Spending under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including Union Territories, is set to rise steadily for the third consecutive year, with the 2026–27 Budget marking a significant expansion, driven largely by a massive increase in census funding.

Government figures show total Home Affairs expenditure rising from Rs 2,24,585 crore in 2024-25 (Actuals) to Rs 2,33,211 crore in 2025–26 (Budget Estimates), a 3.84 per cent increase. The allocation was later revised upward to Rs 2,41,485 crore in 2025–26 (Revised Estimates), representing a further 3.55 per cent rise.

For 2026-27, spending climbs to Rs 2,55,234 crore, a 5.69 per cent increase over the revised 2025-26 figure and a cumulative 13.65 per cent growth compared with 2024-25 actual expenditure.

Within this expanding budget envelope, census and statistical operations account for the single-largest jump in allocation.

Census Records Sharpest Rise

According to Union Budget documents, the allocation for Census, Survey and Statistics/Registrar General of India (RGI) rises dramatically to Rs 6,000 crore in 2026-27 from Rs 574.80 crore in 2025-26—an increase of Rs 5,425.20 crore, the steepest surge across all heads in the ministry.

The developmental head “Census Surveys and Statistics" mirrors this expansion, climbing from Rs 509.86 crore to Rs 5,762.79 crore, confirming a coordinated ramp-up of funding aimed at reviving nationwide enumeration, modernising statistical infrastructure and expanding digital data systems.

Officials familiar with the budgeting exercise say the spike reflects preparations for a long-pending national census, including investment in digital enumeration platforms, logistics networks and large-scale manpower deployment. Economists note that outdated population data has increasingly constrained welfare targeting, fiscal transfers and urban planning, making the FY27 allocation particularly significant.

Security Continues To Dominate Spending

Despite the census surge, internal security remains the financial backbone of the home ministry.

The Police head receives Rs 1,73,802.53 crore, accounting for roughly 68 per cent of total Home Affairs expenditure. Transfers to Jammu & Kashmir amount to Rs 43,290.29 crore, or about 17 per cent of the ministry’s budget.

Together, policing and J&K transfers consume nearly 85 per cent of total spending, underscoring the security-heavy structure of the ministry.

Union Territories See Targeted Capital Push

Allocations to Union Territories highlight continued infrastructure emphasis in remote and strategic regions. Andaman & Nicobar Islands gets Rs 6,680.94 crore, Ladakh gets Rs 4,869.31 crore, Chandigarh to get Rs 5,720.17 crore, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu allocated Rs 2,832.70 crore, Lakshadweep gets Rs 1,682.35 crore and Delhi transfers is Rs 1,348.01 crore along with transfers to Puducherry at Rs 3,517.88 crore.

Island and border territories receive higher per-capita allocations due to logistics, connectivity and security demands.

News business Union Budget 2026: Census Push Drives Jump In Home Ministry Allocation

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