Lucknow, February 11: Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna announced major initiatives focused on youth empowerment, employment, infrastructure, and women’s safety while presenting the UP Budget 2026–27.
Youth, Skills and Employment
The government highlighted significant progress in skill development and employment generation:
Over 9.25 lakh youth trained under short-term skill programmes in the last five years
4.22 lakh youth placed in reputed companies
Under Chief Minister Abhyudaya Yojana, more than 23,000 students receiving free coaching at 163 centres
CM Fellowship Programme operational in 108 aspirational blocks to involve youth in policy making and governance
Under Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme, 49.86 lakh tablets and smartphones distributed free of cost
Sports kits provided to 90,000 Mangal Dals across the state
Women Safety and Working Women Hostels
Under the Safe City Project, the state has strengthened security through:
Women police beats, extensive CCTV surveillance and Anti-Romeo squads
Construction of Working Women Hostels in municipal corporations to ensure safe accommodation and security for working women in urban areas
Education, Health and Infrastructure Allocation
The Finance Minister announced major budget allocations:
12.4% for Education
6% for Health
19.5% for Capital Expenditure
₹43,000 crore worth new schemes to be launched
Key infrastructure proposals include:
₹34,468 crore for roads and bridges
₹3,000 crore for road construction and widening
₹18,000 crore for irrigation projects
Establishment of State Data Authority and Data Centre Cluster
Ease of Doing Business reforms to simplify registration and licensing for industries
The government emphasized mission-mode skill development, stating that individuals with technical or vocational skills can always find employment.
Economic Growth and Development Indicators
State GSDP estimated at ₹30.25 lakh crore in 2024–25, up 13.4% year-on-year
Per capita income doubled from ₹54,564 (2016–17) to ₹1,09,844
Expected to reach ₹1.20 lakh in 2025–26
Over 9 lakh youth trained, 5 lakh provided jobs, and unemployment rate declined by 2.2%
Electronics and Industrial Growth
The Finance Minister stated that Uttar Pradesh is India’s largest mobile phone manufacturing hub:
65% of India’s mobile phone production takes place in UP
55% of electronics component units located in the state
Electronics exports reached ₹44,744 crore
UP achieved ‘Leader’ category ranking in national startup ecosystem
The budget focuses on strengthening youth employment, digital infrastructure, industrial growth, and inclusive development across the state.
