Centre Announces Major Intelligence Bureau Budget Boost Following Operational Successes
The Central government has unveiled a substantial 63% increase in budgetary allocation for the Intelligence Bureau (IB), raising it to Rs 6,782 crore from the revised estimate of Rs 4,159 crore for 2025-26. This significant enhancement comes in recognition of intelligence playing a decisive role in recent security successes, including Operation Sindoor and the elimination of approximately a dozen key Maoist rebel leaders over the past year.
Comprehensive Augmentation Plan for Intelligence Capabilities
According to official sources, this budgetary jump—which represents a 74% increase compared to the original budget estimate for 2025-26—precedes a comprehensive augmentation strategy for the intelligence agency. The plan encompasses:
- Substantial enhancement of IB personnel strength
- Significant infrastructure development, particularly along the International Border
- Advanced technological upgrades for border surveillance and intelligence gathering
This strategic investment gains urgency amid intelligence reports suggesting Pakistan might open a new terror front on India's eastern border while continuing attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.
Broader Home Ministry Budgetary Increases
The overall Ministry of Home Affairs budget has witnessed a 9.4% increase, reaching Rs 2.6 lakh crore from Rs 2.3 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year. Within this allocation:
- Policing receives the largest share at Rs 1.7 lakh crore, up from Rs 1.6 lakh crore
- Census activities have been allocated nearly Rs 11,762 crore for Census 2027, scheduled between April 2026 and March 2027
- Border infrastructure and management receives Rs 5,577 crore
Technological Modernization Initiatives
The budgetary provisions also support several technological modernization projects:
- A massive upgrade of immigration systems at airports managed by the Bureau of Immigration (an IB unit), implementing smart technology and biometric identification to eliminate manual passport stamping
- Phase II of the Vibrant Villages Programme receives Rs 300 crore
- The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System—enabling data sharing among police, courts, prosecution, prisons, and forensic agencies—sees funding increase sharply from Rs 300 crore to Rs 550 crore
These investments collectively represent the government's commitment to strengthening India's internal security architecture through enhanced intelligence capabilities, technological modernization, and comprehensive border management systems.
