The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has reported its highest ever expenditure of Rs 11,810.82 crore during the financial year 2025-26, equivalent to 118,108.2 million (mn). The figure was announced by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar, and was presented as an outcome of concerted implementation efforts across schemes. The sum reflects both enhanced budgetary allocations and strengthened mechanisms for fund utilisation, with emphasis on delivering benefits to intended beneficiaries within stipulated timelines.

This represents a nearly 14 per cent increase over the expenditure of Rs 10,409.00 crore in FY 2024-25, equivalent to 104,090 million (mn), and indicates an upward trajectory in spending on welfare initiatives. The Department attributed the rise to improved planning, closer monitoring and expedited releases to implementing agencies. The timely utilisation of funds was underlined as a key factor enabling programme delivery at scale and reducing delays in beneficiary access to entitlements.

During FY 2025-26 the Department recorded the highest ever expenditure on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, signalling targeted resource flow to historically marginalised groups. It also achieved record spending in areas relating to drug demand reduction, the welfare of sanitation workers, the welfare of senior citizens, the welfare of transgender persons and the welfare of persons engaged in beggary. Officials noted that prioritisation of these segments formed a core element of the expenditure pattern.

The record expenditure was presented as evidence of the Government's commitment to social justice, empowerment and inclusive development for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities across the country. The Department indicated that sustained efforts in capacity building, monitoring and convergence with other agencies would be pursued to maintain momentum and to ensure that increased allocations translate into tangible improvements in living standards.