The Union Budget 2026 seems to be blind and directionless and oblivious to how the youth are without jobs, manufacturing is falling and farmers are in distress. The reductions in allocations to key central schemes, education, health, rural development and agriculture have severe consequences for disabled persons and their families. The Indira Gandhi Disability Pension Scheme continues at Rs 300 per month, unchanged since 2012. Unemployment is high and people's quality of life is declining and are being left to struggle with high prices with uncertain future. The same government which talks about Skill India, Artificial Intelligence and technological advancement failed to provide a roadmap for job creation for the youth. This budget does not address structural economic issues, such as falling manufacturing and shrinking household savings. India needs a budget that places inclusive economic growth at its core, not one filtered through the narrow prism of wealth accumulation by a handful of crony capitalists.
