RAS question
What was the total infrastructure capex outlay announced in Union Budget 2026-27?
Correct answer: (C) ₹12.2 lakh crore.
Union Budget 2026-27 announced public capital expenditure for infrastructure-led growth at ₹12.2 lakh crore.
Explanation
The correct figure is ₹12.2 lakh crore because the PIB budget document says public capital expenditure is proposed to rise by about 9% from the FY 2025-26 Budget Estimate to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY 2026-27. PIB places this under “Public Capital Expenditure: Infrastructure-led Growth”, linking the higher outlay to infrastructure development, private-investment crowding-in and productive capacity. The comparison point is that infrastructure outlay rose from ₹11.2 lakh crore in FY26 to ₹12.2 lakh crore for Union Budget 2026-27. For RAS economy preparation, the trap is to separate the new Budget outlay from the previous year’s base figure and from sector-specific scheme allocations.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) ₹11.2 lakh crore refers to the previous FY26 infrastructure outlay/base figure, not the Union Budget 2026-27 outlay.
- (B) ₹16.95 lakh crore is not the public capital expenditure figure PIB gives for infrastructure-led growth.
- (D) ₹20,000 crore is far below the infrastructure capex outlay and is not the total public capital expenditure figure for FY 2026-27.
Concept
This tests Union Budget reading under Indian Economy, especially capital expenditure and infrastructure-led growth. RAS repeatedly asks such figures because they connect budget priorities with growth strategy and public investment.