RAS question
What is the defence budget allocation in Budget 2026?
Correct answer: (B) ₹7.85 lakh crore.
The defence budget allocation in Union Budget 2026-27 is ₹7.85 lakh crore for the Ministry of Defence.
Explanation
The defence allocation in Budget 2026 is ₹7.85 lakh crore. The PIB release on Defence in Union Budget 2026-27 states that ₹7.85 lakh crore was allocated to the Ministry of Defence, making it the highest allocation among all Ministries. It also frames the allocation around modernisation, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and veterans' welfare, and says the amount is 15.19% higher than the FY 2025-26 Budget Estimates. Therefore, among the four options, ₹7.85 lakh crore is the only figure that matches the official Union Budget 2026-27 defence allocation.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) ₹6.85 lakh crore is lower than the PIB-stated Ministry of Defence allocation of ₹7.85 lakh crore in Union Budget 2026-27.
- (C) ₹8.50 lakh crore overstates the allocation; the official PIB release gives the defence allocation as ₹7.85 lakh crore.
- (D) ₹9.00 lakh crore is not supported by the cited Budget 2026-27 defence release, which records ₹7.85 lakh crore for the Ministry of Defence.
Concept
This tests the Indian Economy syllabus area on Union Budget allocations and sectoral priorities. Defence outlay figures recur in RAS because they connect budget arithmetic with national security, modernisation and public expenditure priorities.