Andhra Pradesh tables budget for 2025-26

The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, presented its full budget for the financial year 2025-26 today in the state Legislative Assembly. Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav tabled the budget, pegged at ₹3,22,359 crore, marking a 9.48% increase from the previous fiscal year’s allocation of ₹2.94 lakh crore for 2024-25.

Key Highlights of the Budget

• Finance Minister Keshav emphasized that the state is emerging from the “financial destruction” caused by the previous regime, presenting this budget as a step toward recovery and progress.
• Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu presented a separate agriculture budget of ₹48,341.14 crore, with ₹12,903.41 crore earmarked for irrigation projects.
• A hefty ₹55,730 crore has been allocated for economic growth and technological advancements, including ₹12,112 crore for industrial development and skilling initiatives.
• The government has set aside ₹31,805 crore for school education, underscoring its commitment to improving educational infrastructure and access.
• A total of ₹1,42,349 crore is dedicated to social inclusivity and empowerment, with ₹47,456 crore specifically for Backward Classes (BC) welfare programs.

Financial Overview The budget projects a revenue expenditure of ₹2,51,000 crore and a capital expenditure of ₹40,635 crore. However, it also highlights fiscal challenges, with an estimated revenue deficit of ₹33,185 crore (1.82% of GSDP) and a fiscal deficit of ₹79,926 crore (4.38% of GSDP).