Uttar Pradesh's Budget Expands to ₹8.33 Lakh Crore with Historic Health Investment
Uttar Pradesh has unveiled a monumental budget of ₹8.33 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a dramatic increase from ₹3.47 lakh crore in 2016-17. This expansion represents a growth of ₹4.86 lakh crore over the past nine years, significantly outpacing the ₹2.34 lakh crore rise observed between 2008-09 and 2016-17. Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna presented these findings in the Economic Survey tabled in the state assembly on Monday, highlighting the state's robust fiscal trajectory.
Strengthened Fiscal Health and Capital Expenditure Surge
The Economic Survey paints a picture of balanced fiscal management, with the public debt-to-GSDP ratio declining from 29.3% in 2016-17 to 28.0% in 2024-25. This ratio remains lower than both national and global averages, underscoring the state's prudent financial stewardship. Concurrently, capital expenditure has witnessed a substantial boost, rising from ₹69,790 crore to ₹1,47,720 crore during the same period, fueling infrastructure and development projects across Uttar Pradesh.
Record-Breaking Health Sector Allocation
In a landmark move, the health sector has been allocated a record ₹46,728.48 crore, constituting 6.1% of the total budget. This investment has yielded tangible results, with citizens' out-of-pocket health expenditure decreasing and medical infrastructure being significantly strengthened. The number of medical colleges has surged from 36 in 2017 to 81 by the end of 2025, including 45 government and 36 private institutions, enhancing healthcare accessibility statewide.
Key achievements in healthcare include:
- Institutional deliveries increased by 18.02%, from 34.74 lakh in 2021-22 to 41 lakh in 2024-25.
- Institutional births accounted for 96.12% of total deliveries in 2024-25, while non-institutional deliveries declined by 50.44% to 1.66 lakh.
- Free vaccination is provided to children aged 0-5 years against 12 life-threatening diseases, such as polio, tuberculosis, measles, and Japanese encephalitis.
- Pregnant women are being immunised against tetanus, further safeguarding maternal and child health.
Agricultural Growth and Economic Contributions
Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of Uttar Pradesh's economy, with its contribution rising from 24% in 2017-18 to 24.9% in 2024-25. Foodgrain production reached an impressive 737.4 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25, elevating the state's share in national output from 18.1% to 20.6%. Per hectare gross value addition has nearly doubled, from ₹0.98 lakh in 2017-18 to ₹1.73 lakh in 2024-25.
Paddy plays a pivotal role, accounting for 13.1% of the state's agricultural gross value, with area and production increasing by 19.4% and 23.6%, respectively. Additionally, around 65,000 food processing units are operational in the state, employing nearly 2.55 lakh youths and positioning Uttar Pradesh as an emerging food processing hub.
Tourism Boom and Workforce Dynamics
Tourism in Uttar Pradesh has experienced a remarkable surge, with arrivals increasing by 2.4 times to reach 156.18 crore in 2025. A record 66.30 crore visitors attended the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, highlighting the state's cultural and religious appeal. On the employment front, the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24 reveals that 53.2% of the workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, including 78.8% of working women and 44% of working men.
Commitment to Safety and Education
Finance Minister Khanna emphasized the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy towards crime to strengthen women's safety across the state. In the realm of education, Uttar Pradesh currently boasts 38 state universities and 52 private universities, fostering higher learning and skill development.
This comprehensive Economic Survey underscores Uttar Pradesh's multifaceted growth, from fiscal prudence and healthcare advancements to agricultural productivity and tourism vitality, setting a robust foundation for future development.
