2016 · GS Paper 3 · Q2 · 12 marks
Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?
In short
Effective gender budgeting needs sex-disaggregated data, Gender Budget Cells, outcome-linked gender audits and mainstreaming across all ministries, and India now has a three-part statement but outcomes still lag. The Gender Budget Statement reached 9.37% of the Union Budget in 2026-27, about Rs 5.01 lakh crore.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 286 words
Budgets are never gender-neutral, because women carry most unpaid care and own fewer assets. Gender budgeting applies this lens to public spending, and the Gender Budget Statement reached 9.37% of the Union Budget in 2026-27.
Requirements of Effective Gender Budgeting
1. Sex-disaggregated data: Ministries must track who uses a scheme, such as women's share of MGNREGA work, to know whether money reaches women. 2. Institutional machinery: Gender Budget Cells, set up under a 2007 Finance Ministry charter, and state cells must vet schemes before allocation. 3. Outcome orientation: Spending must be tied to results such as lower anaemia and higher female work participation, checked through gender audits. 4. Mainstreaming: Energy, water and transport count too, as Ujjwala and Jal Jeevan Mission cut women's drudgery.
Three-part statement
Part A lists 100% women schemes, Part B 30-99% and, since 2024-25, Part C under 30%, totalling about Rs 5.01 lakh crore in 2026-27.
Wider coverage
58 ministries, departments and UTs now report, and Kerala, Odisha and Karnataka run state gender budgets.
Concentration
The share hovered near 5% for a decade, and the recent rise sits in a few schemes such as rural housing.
Weak outcomes
NFHS-5 (2019-21) still found 57% of women aged 15-49 anaemic, so outlays have not yet become outcomes.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.