Union Budget 2026 ‘Disappointing’ for Bihar, Experts Say

Patna: Economic experts and residents of Bihar have expressed disappointment following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27, saying it offers little specifically for the state.

According to N.K. Choudhary, former head of the Economics Department at Patna University, “This time, there is nothing significant in the budget directly linked to Bihar or its people. In that sense, it is very disappointing.”

Experts point out that while some central provisions and schemes will benefit Bihar, these are standard allocations available to all states and Union Territories. D.M. Divakar, former director of the A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies (ANSISS), noted, “The budget does not contain any special scheme or announcement that can directly boost Bihar’s economy.”

Choudhary commented on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s one-hour 25-minute budget speech, stating that while certain announcements were linked to Bihar, overall, the state did not receive any targeted benefits.

Divakar added that budget allocations this time appear to prioritize regions where political gains are likely. He further noted, “In the 2024–25 and 2025–26 budgets, Bihar received attractive allocations because elections were imminent. Now that the elections are over, Bihar seems to have been overlooked. Other regions appear to have benefited based on political considerations.”

The response from local economic analysts and small business owners reflects a general sentiment that Bihar has largely been left out in this year’s budget, leaving citizens and traders with tempered expectations for immediate economic impact.