The Union Budget 2026–27, has significantly increased allocations for the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region, underlining the Centre’s continued focus on the Northeast.

Key Budget Highlights

• Total allocation: ₹6,812.30 crore for DoNER in 2026–27
  • This is a 52.09 per cent increase over the Revised Estimate of ₹4,479.20 crore in 2025–26.
• North Eastern Council schemes: ₹825 crore
  • Slightly lower than last year’s revised estimate, reflecting prioritisation of infrastructure-heavy schemes.
• North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme: ₹2,500 crore
  • A 56.25 per cent increase, aimed at roads, bridges, water supply and social infrastructure.
• Special Development Packages: ₹1,046 crore
  • A massive fivefold jump, targeting region-specific development needs.

Targeted regional and social packages

• Bodoland Territorial Council: Increased to ₹156 crore.
• Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council: Raised to ₹200 crore.
• Special packages of ₹70 crore each for Adivasi groups and Dimasa communities in Assam.
• ₹500 crore package for the welfare and rehabilitation of families of former members of United Liberation Front of Assam.
• ₹50 crore for tribal development in Tripura.

Flagship and new initiatives

• Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region: ₹2,300 crore, up from ₹1,600 crore, to support large, visible projects.
• New Buddhist Circuit Development Scheme proposed for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, linking culture, tourism and regional integration.

Exam Hook – 

Consider the following statements:

1. The Union Budget 2026–27 increased the allocation for the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region by more than 50 per cent over the previous year’s revised estimate.
2. The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North East Region received a reduced allocation in 2026–27 compared to 2025–26.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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