Budget

The Punjab government on 8 March 2026 presented the state budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema outlined the government’s financial plans with a focus on welfare programmes, economic expansion, and improvements in public service delivery. The proposed budget places total expenditure for the year at ₹2,60,437 crore.

The budget was presented at a time when the state continues to face fiscal constraints while attempting to sustain social welfare initiatives and economic development, similar to the two-phase election showdown in West Bengal. Government officials said the financial plan reflects an effort to strengthen the economy while continuing key programmes in healthcare, education, and social protection.

According to the budget estimates, Punjab’s Gross State Domestic Product is projected to reach ₹9,80,635 crore during the financial year 2026–27, compared with about ₹8,91,487 crore in the previous year. The government expects the state economy to grow by around 10 percent, supported by agricultural productivity, expansion in services, and industrial activity.