Defence Ministry To Seek 20% Budget Hike
India’s Ministry of Defence is preparing to request up to a 20 percent hike in its budget for the 2026–27 financial year, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has confirmed. The proposal aims to accelerate military modernisation and address emerging strategic challenges.
Current Spending Already On Upward Path
For 2025–26, the government allocated ₹6.81 lakh crore to defence — a 9.5 percent rise from the previous year. A 20 percent hike for the next fiscal would mark a significant departure from the incremental increases of recent years and signal a stronger push toward capability enhancement.
Focus On Modernisation And Infrastructure
Officials said the additional funds would be directed toward procurement of advanced systems, faster execution of contracts, and improvements to border and maritime infrastructure. The ministry believes India’s defence-industrial ecosystem is now capable of efficiently absorbing larger capital outlays.
Expected Benefits For National Security
A higher budget is likely to improve readiness and reduce equipment gaps across the armed forces. The move may also boost domestic defence manufacturing, supporting long-term goals of self-reliance and reduced import dependence.
