West Bengal Department Wise Schemes And Budget Updates 2026

Policy Update
Debjani Chatterjee

Background

West Bengal is one of India’s most populous states, with a large and diverse population and significant welfare and development needs. Managing its public finances over the years has always been a major balancing act. The annual 2026–27 Budget places strong emphasis on welfare, rural development, infrastructure and employment, while also seeking to support economic growth and investment to steer the local economy forward.

This financial plan focuses heavily on rural livelihoods, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. The Budget continues to place emphasis on capital investment in roads, urban infrastructure, irrigation, housing and other public assets. However, committed expenses like salaries and pensions take up 51 percent of revenue receipts. Balancing these massive welfare promises remains difficult.

Functioning

West Bengal’s welfare system works through a wide network of departments and schemes that provide financial support, public services and livelihood assistance to different sections of society. Major schemes are implemented through departments such as Women and Child Development, Panchayats and Rural Development, School Education, Health, Agriculture and Labour. Most programmes use direct benefit transfers, scholarships, subsidies or service delivery to reach eligible beneficiaries.

For example, Lakshmir Bhandar provides monthly financial assistance to women, Krishak Bandhu supports farmers, Kanyashree encourages girls to continue education, and Karmashree provides employment opportunities. Local government bodies and district administrations play an important role in identifying beneficiaries and implementing programmes. The 2026 to 27 Budget continues this approach while introducing new support for unemployed youth and landless agricultural workers.

West Bengal Budget 2026–27: Department wise Allocation and Major Schemes

1. Agricultural Marketing

Departmental Allocation: ₹364.99 crore

• Development of Regulated Markets — ₹43.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• RIDF Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure — ₹45.38 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Market Link Roads and Other Marketing Infrastructure — ₹82.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Market Development — ₹20.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

2. Agriculture

Departmental Allocation: ₹8,565.84 crore

• Krishak Bandhu — ₹2,983.24 crore + ₹2,600 crore (SC) + ₹460 crore (TSP) — Launched: 2019
• Krishak Bandhu (Natun) — Launched: 2021
• Bangla Krishi Sech Yojana — ₹25.00 crore — Launched: 2018

3. Animal Resources Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,404.42 crore

• Cattle and Buffalo Development — ₹22.50 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Poultry and Small Animal Development — ₹16.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Purchase of Medicines and Surgical Requisites — ₹4.50 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Cattle and Buffalo Development (TSP) — ₹11.35 crore — Ongoing Programme

4. Backward Classes Welfare

Departmental Allocation: ₹2,544.48 crore

• Sikshashree — ₹90.30 crore — Launched: 2014
• Bicycle Distribution to SC Students — ₹105.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Bicycle Distribution to OBC Students — ₹50.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Post-Matric Scholarship for SC — ₹35.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC — ₹24.45 crore — Ongoing Programme

5. Chief Minister’s Office

Departmental Allocation: ₹15.92 crore

• Ongoing Programme

6. Consumer Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹148.41 crore

• Consumer Protection Act / State Commission and District Forums — ₹24.23 crore — Ongoing Programme
• West Bengal Right to Public Services Commission — ₹0.65 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Somoyer Sathi — ₹0.15 crore — Ongoing Programme

7. Cooperation

Departmental Allocation: ₹586.62 crore

• Housing Cooperatives — ₹0.50 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Labour Cooperatives — ₹0.04 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Tribal Area Sub-Plan — ₹0.01 crore — Ongoing Programme

8. Correctional Administration

Departmental Allocation: ₹580.55 crore

• Ongoing Programme

9. Council of Ministers / Home (C&E)

Departmental Allocation: ₹89.58 crore

• Ongoing Programme

10. Disaster Management and Civil Defence

Departmental Allocation: ₹3,035.95 crore

• Fire Services Modernisation — ₹138.25 crore — Ongoing Programme
• State Disaster Response Team — ₹17.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Modern Rescue Equipment and Boats — ₹17.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

11. Environment

Departmental Allocation: ₹102.85 crore

• Ongoing Programme

12. Finance

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,26,346.98 crore

• Debt Servicing — ₹96,924.48 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Pension Payments — ₹26,852.16 crore — Ongoing Programme
• State Development — ₹425.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

13. Fire and Emergency Services

Departmental Allocation: ₹546.39 crore

• Ongoing Programme

14. Fisheries

Departmental Allocation: ₹550.38 crore

• RIDF Fisheries Infrastructure — ₹39.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Marine Fishing Village Infrastructure — ₹13.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Inland Fishing Infrastructure — ₹11.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• PMMSY — ₹158.81 crore — Launched: 2020

15. Food and Supplies

Departmental Allocation: ₹8,053.03 crore

• Repair, Renovation and Maintenance of Food Godowns — ₹10.50 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Sugar PDS Subsidy — ₹60.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Quality Control Laboratory Modernisation — ₹0.80 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Khadya Sathi — Launched: 2016

16. Food Processing and Horticulture

Departmental Allocation: ₹230.69 crore

• Integrated Development of Horticulture — ₹24.74 crore — Ongoing Programme

17. Forests

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,198.17 crore

• Forest Protection — ₹39.68 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Forest and Biodiversity Conservation — ₹80.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Social Forestry Project — ₹17.16 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats — ₹27.60 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Project Elephant — ₹1.19 crore — Launched: 1992
• Project Tiger — ₹1.58 crore — Launched: 1973

18. Governor Secretariat

Departmental Allocation: ₹40.39 crore

• Ongoing Programme

19. Health and Family Welfare

Departmental Allocation: ₹24,753.72 crore

• Swasthya Sathi — ₹3,000.00 crore — Launched: 2016

20. Higher Education

Departmental Allocation: ₹7,168.60 crore

• Student Credit Card — ₹70.00 crore — Launched: 2021
• Development of Universities — ₹57.70 crore + ₹6.53 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Library and Reading Room — ₹30.19 crore — Ongoing Programme

21. Home and Hill Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹17,925.42 crore

• Ongoing Programme

22. Housing

Departmental Allocation: ₹303.83 crore

• Ongoing Programme

23. Industry, Commerce and Enterprises

Departmental Allocation: ₹3,266.59 crore

• New Industrial Incentive — ₹88.56 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Power Tariff Concession — ₹90.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Modernisation and Computerisation — ₹20.11 crore — Ongoing Programme

24. Information and Cultural Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹815.08 crore

• Ongoing Programme

25. Information Technology and Electronics

Departmental Allocation: ₹506.18 crore

• Ongoing Programme

26. Irrigation and Waterways

Departmental Allocation: ₹3,699.11 crore

• Flood Control and Embankment Works — ₹60.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Special Repair of Flood Control Infrastructure — ₹183.18 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Special Repair of Flood-Damaged Infrastructure — ₹300.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

27. Judicial

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,964.89 crore

• Ongoing Programme

28. Labour

Departmental Allocation: ₹3,146.69 crore

• Ongoing Programme

29. Land and Land Reforms and Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,587.62 crore

• Ongoing Programme

30. Law

Departmental Allocation: ₹24.87 crore

• Ongoing Programme

31. Legislative Assembly Secretariat

Departmental Allocation: ₹124.42 crore

• Ongoing Programme

32. Mass Education Extension and Library Services

Departmental Allocation: ₹351.70 crore

• Ongoing Programme

33. MSME and Textiles

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,814.60 crore

• Bhavishyat Credit Card — ₹112.00 crore — Launched: 2023
• MSME Cluster Development — ₹5.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Khadi and Village Industries Marketing Assistance — ₹10.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

34. Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education

Departmental Allocation: ₹2,165.42 crore

• Aikyashree — Launched: 2019
• West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation — Established: 1995

35. Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy

Departmental Allocation: ₹305.87 crore

• Ongoing Programme

36. North Bengal Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,821.52 crore

• Ongoing Programme

37. Panchayats and Rural Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹51,836.55 crore

• Banglar Bari (Gramin) — ₹9,900.00 crore — Launched: 2024
• Pathashree-Rastashree — ₹3,493.93 crore — Launched: 2020
• Somobyathi — ₹100.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Jai Bangla — Launched: 2020

38. Parliamentary Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹23.89 crore

• Youth Parliament Competition Scheme — Launched: 1966

39. Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,610.85 crore

• Ongoing Programme

40. Personnel and Administrative Reforms

Departmental Allocation: ₹378.87 crore

• Bangla Sahayata Kendra — ₹12.00 crore — Launched: 2020

41. Planning and Statistics

Departmental Allocation: ₹632.41 crore

• Ongoing Programme

42. Power

Departmental Allocation: ₹5,345.16 crore

• Goaltore 125 MW Solar Project — ₹150.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

43. Programme Monitoring

Departmental Allocation: ₹3.56 crore

• Ongoing Programme

44. Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction

Departmental Allocation: ₹58.65 crore

• Ongoing Programme

45. Public Health Engineering

Departmental Allocation: ₹12,935.33 crore

• Jal Jeevan Mission — ₹8,333.33 crore — Launched: 2019

46. Public Works

Departmental Allocation: ₹7,240.13 crore

• Ongoing Programme

47. School Education

Departmental Allocation: ₹44,948.21 crore

• Sabooj Sathi — Launched: 2015
• Banglar Shiksha — Launched: 2020
• PM POSHAN — Launched: 2021

48. Science and Technology and Bio-Technology

Departmental Allocation: ₹133.62 crore

• Ongoing Programme

49. Self-Help Group and Self-Employment

Departmental Allocation: ₹322.80 crore

• Ongoing Programme

50. Sunderban Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,280.07 crore

• Development of Sundarban — ₹74.20 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Infrastructure Development — ₹313.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

51. Technical Education, Training and Skill Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹2,393.20 crore

• Utkarsh Bangla — Launched: 2016

52. Tourism

Departmental Allocation: ₹527.84 crore

• New Tourism Attractions — ₹146.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Tourism Infrastructure — ₹12.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

53. Transport

Departmental Allocation: ₹2,697.42 crore

• Ongoing Programme

54. Tribal Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,295.14 crore

• Adibasi Development and Culture Board — ₹4.00 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Sports Development — ₹0.50 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Kendu Leaves Social Security — ₹4.00 crore — Ongoing Programme

55. Urban Development and Municipal Affairs

Departmental Allocation: ₹14,609.77 crore

• West Bengal Urban Employment Scheme — ₹160.00 crore — Launched: 2020
• AMRUT — Launched: 2015

56. Water Resources Investigation and Development

Departmental Allocation: ₹1,550.99 crore

• Shallow Tubewells — ₹1.20 crore — Ongoing Programme
• River Lift Irrigation — ₹7.80 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Groundwater Survey — ₹2.80 crore — Ongoing Programme
• Artificial Groundwater Recharge — ₹5.60 crore — Ongoing Programme

57. Women and Child Development and Social Welfare

Departmental Allocation: ₹52,308.50 crore

• Kanyashree — ₹1,151.85 crore — Launched: 2013
• Rupashree — ₹713.99 crore — Launched: 2018
• Lakshmir Bhandar — ₹2,750.00 crore — Launched: 2021
• Manabik Pension — ₹794.00 crore — Launched: 2018
• Widow Pension under Jai Bangla — ₹1,750.00 crore — Jai Bangla launched: 2020
• Old Age Pension under Jai Bangla — ₹2,650.55 crore — Jai Bangla launched: 2020

58. Youth Services and Sports

Departmental Allocation: ₹490.54 crore

• Ongoing Programme

West Bengal Budget 2026–27

[Official source: Government of West Bengal, Finance Department, Budget Publication No. 3, 2026–27. BP-3 explicitly contains the detailed departmental administrative expenditure, State Development Schemes, Central Assistance, SNA-SPARSH schemes and Central Sector Schemes for all 58 departments.

Department-wise Allocation and Exact Scheme-wise Provisions from BP-3.]

Impact

Wider social protection: Schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree and Rupashree provide direct financial support to women and girls, helping vulnerable households manage essential expenses.
Support for farmers: Krishak Bandhu and crop insurance schemes reduce financial risks for farmers and provide support during crop loss or uncertain agricultural conditions.
Better healthcare access: Swasthya Sathi has expanded access to cashless health insurance, particularly for low and middle income households, reducing the financial burden of major medical treatment.
Improved rural infrastructure: Banglar Bari, rural employment programmes and rural road projects support housing, employment and connectivity in rural areas.
Education and youth development: Taruner Swapno, Student Credit Card and scholarship schemes support students in continuing education and meeting educational expenses.
Food security: Khadya Sathi and Duare Ration have strengthened access to subsidised foodgrains and improved last mile delivery of food benefits.
Employment and livelihood support: Shramashree, Self Help Group programmes, MSME initiatives and skill development schemes create opportunities for employment, self employment and income generation.
Infrastructure and economic development: Investments in roads, irrigation, urban infrastructure, IT parks and industrial corridors can improve connectivity, attract investment and support economic activity.
Support for marginalised groups: Schemes for SC, ST, OBC and minority communities improve access to scholarships, pensions, livelihood assistance and other welfare benefits.
Overall impact: The large number of schemes shows a broad welfare approach covering income support, education, health, employment, food security and infrastructure. However, stronger outcome based monitoring is needed to assess whether these schemes are creating sustained improvements in household income, employment, education and quality of life.

Emerging Issues

High financial burden: The growing number of welfare schemes is increasing the state’s recurring expenditure. Ensuring long term fiscal sustainability remains a key challenge.
Focus on coverage rather than outcomes: Many schemes report beneficiaries and expenditure, but limited information is available on long term outcomes such as income growth, employment and improved living standards.
Overlap between schemes: Several schemes provide similar forms of financial or livelihood support. Better coordination is needed to avoid duplication and improve targeting.
Uneven district level implementation: Access and awareness can vary across districts, especially in rural, tribal and economically weaker areas.
Payment and delivery issues: Delays, documentation problems and gaps in last mile delivery can reduce the effectiveness of otherwise well designed schemes.
Limited impact evaluation: Regular independent evaluations are not available for many major schemes, making it difficult to measure actual social and economic impact.
Rising expectations: As beneficiaries become dependent on recurring assistance, reducing or restructuring benefits can become politically and socially difficult.
Data gaps: More updated and publicly accessible scheme wise data is required to assess beneficiary outcomes, leakages and cost effectiveness.

Way Forward

Shift from coverage to outcomes: The government should track not only beneficiaries and expenditure but also changes in income, employment, education, health and living standards.
Strengthen impact evaluation: Major schemes should undergo regular independent evaluations to identify what is working, where gaps exist and whether public money is being used effectively.
Improve scheme coordination: Similar schemes across departments should be better integrated to reduce duplication and ensure that beneficiaries receive support through a simpler system.
Strengthen last mile delivery: Digital tracking, grievance redressal and local level monitoring should be improved to reduce payment delays, exclusion errors and documentation related problems.
Target vulnerable groups better: District level data should be used to identify areas with low awareness, poor access or higher vulnerability and direct additional resources accordingly.
Improve transparency: Scheme wise, district wise and outcome based data should be regularly published in accessible formats.
Link welfare with livelihoods: Cash assistance should increasingly be complemented with skill development, employment, credit and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Ensure fiscal sustainability: New welfare commitments should be assessed against available fiscal resources so that essential support remains sustainable over the long term.

References and Links

Government of West Bengal, Finance Department. (2026). Budget speech 2026–2027. 2026-2027_English_I.pdf
Government of West Bengal, Finance Department. (2026). Detailed demands for grants for 2026–2027: Budget Publication No. 11. 2026_bp11_I.pdf
Government of West Bengal, Finance Department. (2026). Detailed demands for grants for 2026–2027: Budget Publication No. 16. 2026_bp16_I.pdf
Government of West Bengal, Finance Department. (2026). Detailed demands for grants for 2026–2027: Budget Publication No. 26. 2026_bp26_I.pdf
Government of West Bengal, Finance Department. (2026). Civil budget estimate for the year 2026–2027. 2026_bp1-1_I.pdf

About the Contributor

Debjani Chatterjee is a policy researcher with a background in Finance and Political science. Her work focuses on leveraging data analytics to support evidence based policy research.

Acknowledgement

My sincere thanks to the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) for the opportunity to prepare this policy update article. IMPRI’s dedication to connecting research with actionable policy practice provides an invaluable platform for learning.

Reviewed by Vibha Sethi and Dolly Kaushik