Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her 9th full-time budget in Parliament on 1 February 2026. The biggest question after this budget is what Uttar Pradesh got in it. Many announcements related to infrastructure, health, women empowerment and new technology have been made for UP in Budget 2026.
Special emphasis on Varanasi and connectivity
Budget 2026 indicates to develop Varanasi as a major infrastructure hub. Ship repair ecosystem will be developed here, which will promote Ganga based transportation and employment. Along with this, Varanasi Ring Road Hybrid Rail Corridor and Varanasi-Delhi High Speed Rail Corridor have been announced, which will give impetus to both connectivity and trade.
There is also a proposal to build an integrated logistics hub in Varanasi, which will help in connecting Purvanchal with the national and international markets. These schemes are considered important towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as a major center of logistics and transport.
Focus on health, women and rural development
To strengthen health services in the budget, it has been announced to open emergency trauma centers in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Along with this, a provision has been made to make medicines for serious diseases like cancer and diabetes cheaper. After Lakhpati Didi Yojana for women, now there is a proposal to create ‘Shri Mart’ for rural women, which will provide market to their products.
It has also been announced to build a hostel for working women in every district. Apart from this, under the Divyang Sahara Yojana, provision has been made for timely assistance, increasing the production capacity of artificial limb manufacturing companies and investment in AI integration. Along with strengthening the PM Divyasha centres, emphasis has also been laid on mental health and trauma care.
Technology, Khadi and skill development schemes
In Budget 2026, Uttar Pradesh has also been given an important role in the field of technological development. The country’s first semiconductor design and manufacturing park has been given the green signal and it has been announced to take forward Semiconductor Mission 1.0, which will create a trained center and skilled workforce. Budgetary assistance has also been announced to develop AI City. It has been proposed to launch Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative to strengthen Khadi, handloom and handicrafts, which will improve global market linkage, branding, training and production quality.
ODOP scheme, weavers and rural youth are expected to get direct benefits from this. Along with this, Samarth 2.0 mission has also been promoted to make India a global hub of high quality affordable sports goods and to modernize the textile skill ecosystem.

