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Bihar's Gender Budget spends Rs 2.5 lakh crore over 5 years, peaking at 30.03% of total budget in 2023-24

PolityEconomySocial IssuesHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
06 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Rs 2.5 lakh crore20% of total BudgetRs 41,864 crore in 2022-2318.05% in 2022-23Rs 75,691 crore in 2023-2430.03% in 2023-24
Bodies:Bihar State AssemblyBihar Finance Department
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What This Article Covers

1.Bihar pioneered a separate Gender Budget in 2008-09 under Sushil Kumar Modi, aggregating expenditure on women-centric schemes across departments.

2.Over the last five budgets (till 2026-27), allocation has ranged from 13.25% to 30.03%, with the flagship 'Dashhazari' (CM Women Employment Scheme) being a key electoral factor.

3.The Gender Budget is a tool for political consolidation and social empowerment, demonstrating how fiscal policy can be leveraged for targeted welfare and electoral gains.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Bihar's Gender Budget, a pioneering initiative since 2008-09, has allocated Rs 2.5 lakh crore (20% of total expenditure) over five years to women-centric schemes. This strategic fiscal tool has been instrumental in consolidating a 'caste-neutral' women's voter base, impacting electoral outcomes and serving as a model for gender-responsive budgeting in Indian states.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Gender Budget Spend (5 yrs)Rs 2.5 lakh crore
Gender Budget Share of Total Budget (Avg)20%
Gender Budget Allocation (2026-27)Rs 46,000 crore (13.25%)
Peak Allocation Year & Percentage2023-24: Rs 75,691 crore (30.03%)
Flagship SchemeCM Women Employment Scheme (Dashhazari Scheme)
Beneficiaries for 2nd Instalment80 lakh to 1 crore women
Pioneer of Gender Budget in BiharSushil Kumar Modi (2008-09)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Gender Budget Spend (5 yrs): Rs 2.5 lakh crore
  • ›Gender Budget Share of Total Budget (Avg): 20%
  • ›Target this Data: Rs 2.5 lakh crore (Total spend in 5 years); 2008-09 (Year of inception).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Bihar Finance Department (prepares Gender Budget); Ministry of Women and Child Development (national framework).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: No specific article, but linked to Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 39, 42, 15(3)) promoting women's welfare.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The concept of Gender Budgeting in India is primarily associated with the mandate of which ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding Bihar's Gender Budget:

1. It was first introduced as a separate budget in the fiscal year 2008-09.

2. The initiative was pioneered by the then Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar.

3. For the year 2023-24, it accounted for over 30% of the state's total budget expenditure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the total cumulative expenditure of the Bihar government under its Gender Budget over the last five years?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

The significant allocation under Bihar's Gender Budget, particularly the Dashhazari scheme, is often analyzed in the context of:

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