WCD gets hiked allocation of Rs 26,889 crore in Union Budget 2025

The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated Rs 26,889.69 crore to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), an increase from the revised estimate of Rs 23,182.98 crore in 2024-25.

Of the entire outlay, one of the biggest allocations is for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, which has received Rs 21,960 crore to combat malnutrition and strengthen early childhood care.

The initiatives were allocated Rs 20,070.90 crore allocated in the revised estimates for 2024-25.

The initiative, which also includes a Scheme for Adolescent Girls, has been restructured under three primary verticals nutrition support for children and adolescent girls, early childhood care and education, and Anganwadi infrastructure.

Presenting her eighth consecutive budget, Sitharaman said Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programmes provide nutritional support to over 8 crore children, one crore pregnant and lactating women, and 20 lakh adolescent girls in aspirational districts and the northeast region.