Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Uttar Pradesh's Economic Survey shows a sharp expansion in the state's budget and capital spending over the past nine years, alongside improved fiscal indicators. Health and education allocations have increased, with better medical infrastructure, higher institutional deliveries and expanded medical colleges. Tourism arrivals have grown significantly, while agriculture output and value addition have also improved. The survey highlights steady employment in food processing and agriculture, supported by controlled debt levels and a balanced fiscal position, reflecting sustained public spending across key sectors.
Uttar Pradesh's budget size has more than doubled over the last nine years, rising from INR 3.47 lakh crore in 2016-17 to an estimated INR 8.33 lakh crore for 2025-26, according to the Economic Survey presented in the state assembly. Capital expenditure has also seen a strong increase during this period, moving up from INR 69,790 crore to INR 1,47,720 crore, reflecting a sustained focus on asset creation and infrastructure development. Advertisement
While presenting the survey during the opening of the budget session in the past week, Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that the state's budget has expanded by INR 4.86 lakh crore since 2016-17. This increase is significantly higher than the INR 2.34 lakh crore rise recorded between 2008-09 and 2016-17, indicating a faster pace of fiscal expansion in recent years.
The survey described Uttar Pradesh's fiscal position as balanced. It highlighted a gradual improvement in debt indicators, with the public debt-to-GSDP ratio declining from 29.3 per cent in 2016-17 to 28.0 per cent in 2024-25. This level remains lower than both national and global averages, suggesting controlled borrowing despite higher spending.
Health spending has reached a record allocation of INR 46,728.48 crore, accounting for 6.1 per cent of the total budget. The survey noted a reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses for citizens alongside improvements in health infrastructure. Institutional deliveries rose from 34.74 lakh in 2021-22 to 41 lakh in 2024-25, an increase of 18.02 per cent. Institutional births now account for over 96 per cent of total deliveries, while non-institutional deliveries have fallen sharply to 1.66 lakh.
The report added that children aged between zero and five years are receiving free vaccination against 12 serious diseases, including polio, tuberculosis, measles and Japanese encephalitis. Pregnant women are also being covered under immunisation programmes for tetanus.
Medical education capacity has expanded steadily, with the number of medical colleges increasing from 36 in 2017 to 81 by the end of 2025. This includes 45 government-run and 36 private institutions. The state currently has 38 state universities and 52 private universities, supporting higher education growth.
Tourism activity has also risen strongly. Visitor arrivals have increased by 2.4 times to 156.18 crore in 2025, with the Prayagraj Mahakumbh alone drawing a record 66.30 crore visitors, according to the survey.
In agriculture, the sector's contribution to the state economy has improved from 24 per cent in 2017-18 to 24.9 per cent in 2024-25. Foodgrain production reached 737.4 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25, raising Uttar Pradesh's share in national output from 18.1 per cent to 20.6 per cent. Per hectare gross value addition rose from INR 0.98 lakh to INR 1.73 lakh over the same period. Paddy continues to be a key crop, accounting for 13.1 per cent of agricultural gross value, with both cultivated area and production showing notable growth.
The survey also pointed out that around 65,000 food processing units are currently operational in the state, providing employment to nearly 2.55 lakh youths as Uttar Pradesh strengthens its position as a food processing hub. Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24 shows that over half of the workforce remains engaged in agriculture and allied activities, including nearly four-fifths of working women.
Khanna informed the House that a zero-tolerance approach towards crime has been adopted, with a focus on improving women's safety across the state.
Source PTI
FAQ
Q1. How has Uttar Pradesh's budget size changed over the past nine years
Uttar Pradesh's budget has expanded sharply from INR 3.47 lakh crore in 2016-17 to an estimated INR 8.33 lakh crore for 2025-26, as highlighted in the Economic Survey. This more than doubling of the budget reflects a sustained increase in public spending capacity. The expansion over the last nine years has been significantly faster than in the previous period, indicating a stronger fiscal push towards development and service delivery.
Q2. What trends does the survey highlight in capital expenditure and infrastructure spending
Capital expenditure has increased from INR 69,790 crore in 2016-17 to INR 1,47,720 crore in 2025-26, showing a clear emphasis on asset creation. The rise in capital spending points to higher investment in infrastructure such as roads, public facilities, health institutions and educational assets. This sustained focus is intended to support long-term economic growth rather than only short-term consumption.
Q3. How has the state's fiscal health and debt position evolved
Despite the sharp rise in spending, the survey describes Uttar Pradesh's fiscal position as balanced. The public debt-to-GSDP ratio has declined from 29.3 per cent in 2016-17 to 28.0 per cent in 2024-25. This indicates that borrowing has remained under control and below national and global averages, even as the state increased capital outlay and social sector allocations.
Q4. What improvements are noted in health and medical infrastructure
Health spending has reached a record INR 46,728.48 crore, accounting for 6.1 per cent of the total budget. The survey notes improved access to healthcare, reduced out-of-pocket expenses and better medical infrastructure. Institutional deliveries increased to 41 lakh in 2024-25, covering more than 96 per cent of total births. Immunisation coverage for children and pregnant women has also expanded, reducing dependence on informal healthcare.
Q5. How has education and medical capacity expanded in the state
Medical education infrastructure has grown steadily, with the number of medical colleges rising from 36 in 2017 to 81 by the end of 2025. This includes a balanced mix of government and private institutions. Higher education has also expanded, with 38 state universities and 52 private universities currently operating. These additions are aimed at improving access to professional education and strengthening human capital.
Q6. What does the survey reveal about agriculture, tourism and employment
Agriculture's share in the state economy has improved to 24.9 per cent, with foodgrain production reaching 737.4 lakh metric tonnes and higher per-hectare value addition. Tourism arrivals rose sharply to 156.18 crore visitors in 2025, supported by major events such as the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Employment remains concentrated in agriculture and food processing, with around 65,000 processing units employing nearly 2.55 lakh youths, reflecting steady rural and semi-urban job creation.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
