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The Union Budget 2025-26 focuses on inclusive development, prioritizing the needs of the poor, youth, farmers, and women.

Big Boost for Women’s Welfare

• The gender budget has been increased to 8.8% of the total Budget, up from 6.8% last year—the highest allocation in 20 years.
• A total of ₹4.49 lakh crore has been set aside across 49 Union Ministries and departments to support women-centric programs.
• 12 new Ministries, including railways, ports, land resources, and food processing, have introduced gender budgeting, making it a government-wide initiative.
• This move ensures that gender equality is not just the responsibility of the Ministry of Women and Child Development but a collective effort across all government departments.

Why Gender Budgeting is Crucial to Tackle Today’s Challenges

Gender budgeting is essential to ensure that government spending actively supports women’s economic participation and empowerment. Here’s why:

1. More Women Are Joining the Workforce, But Challenges Remain

• Women’s participation in India’s workforce has grown from 33% in 2021-22 to 42% in 2023-24—a big step forward.
• We’re getting closer to the global average of 47%, but there’s still a huge gap compared to men’s 79% participation rate.
• To achieve the goal of 70% women’s participation by 2047, significant investments are needed in skilling, employment, entrepreneurship, and social security.

2. Government Schemes Are Helping, But Need More Support

The Budget has increased funding for key programs that empower women, including:

• Skill India Programme & Entrepreneurship Development – Helping women upskill and start businesses.
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission & MGNREGS – Providing job opportunities, especially in rural areas.
• PM Vishwakarma & Krishonnati Yojana – Encouraging women’s participation in traditional crafts and agriculture.
• New Schemes like Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and first-time entrepreneurs’ schemes further boost opportunities.

3. Addressing Job Security for Women in the Informal Sector

• 90% of working women in India are in the informal sector, lacking job security and benefits.
• The Budget aims to formalize gig workers through identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal, giving them access to social security and financial benefits.

4. Using AI and Technology for Women’s Empowerment

• The government has allocated ₹600 crore under the India AI Mission to invest in AI-driven education and skill training for women.
• This ensures women are ready for new-age digital jobs and can thrive in a technology-driven world.

5. Supporting Women in Business and Agriculture

• Women own 20.5% of MSMEs in India, employing 27 million people.
• Expanding women-owned businesses could create up to 170 million jobs, a huge boost to India’s economy.
• Financial institutions need to recognize and support women entrepreneurs and farmers, as they play crucial roles in driving economic growth.

Bottom Line: Gender budgeting ensures that women get the right skills, jobs, security, and business opportunities—making India’s economic growth truly inclusive and sustainable.

Way Forward

• For Women Farmers: The government is making it easier for women in agriculture to get loans by removing complex paperwork. For example, Kisan Credit Cards will no longer be tied to land ownership, so women farmers can access credit more easily to boost their crop yields, productivity, and farm expansion.
• For Women Entrepreneurs: More women-led businesses can thrive with easier access to finance through collateral-free loans, alternative credit checks, and financial literacy programs. This will help them grow their businesses and contribute to the economy.
• Tracking Progress: To ensure these schemes are actually benefiting women, the government will track how many women are using them through gender-specific data. This will help improve policies and ensure better financial and social security support for women.

#BACK2BASICS: Gender Budgeting: Definition, Evolution in India, and Components

What is Gender Budgeting?

Gender budgeting is a strategy to ensure that government budgets address gender equality by allocating funds to programs that benefit women and bridge gender gaps. It is not a separate budget but a way to analyze and restructure financial planning to promote gender-sensitive policies.

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Evolution of Gender Budgeting in India

Year	Milestone	Key Developments
2000-01	Introduction of Gender Budgeting	The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) first conducted a study on gender budgeting in India.
2004-05	Gender Budget Statement (GBS) Introduced	The Union Budget introduced a Gender Budget Statement (GBS) to track government spending on women-specific programs.
2005	Formation of Gender Budgeting Cells (GBCs)	The Ministry of Finance directed all ministries to establish Gender Budgeting Cells (GBCs) to monitor gender-based allocations.
2010-11	Expansion to More Ministries	56 Union Ministries and Departments started reporting their gender allocations in the GBS.
2020-21	Focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment	Increased focus on women in the workforce, skilling programs, and financial inclusion in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
2025-26	Highest Gender Budget Allocation	Gender budget increased to 8.8% of total budget, covering 49 ministries and 12 new sectors like railways, ports, and land resources.

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Components of Gender Budgeting with Examples

Component	Description	Examples from India
Women-Specific Programs	Schemes designed exclusively for women to improve their social, economic, and political participation.	– Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (girls’ education) – Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (financial security for women)
Pro-Women Components in General Programs	Large-scale government schemes with a specific portion allocated for women.	– MGNREGS (ensuring one-third participation of women in rural jobs) – PM Awas Yojana (home ownership priority for women)
Capacity Building & Skill Development	Programs focusing on education, employment, and leadership training for women.	– Skill India Programme (vocational training for women) – DAY-NRLM (self-help groups for rural women)
Financial Inclusion & Credit Support	Making finance accessible for women entrepreneurs and farmers through loans and subsidies.	– Mudra Yojana (collateral-free loans for women-led businesses) – Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Women Farmers (simplified loan access)
Gender Data & Monitoring	Tracking how government programs impact women using gender-disaggregated data.	– Gender Budget Statement (GBS) – E-Shram Portal (tracking informal women workers)

PYQs Anchoring:

• GS 2: ‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss. 2013

Microthemes: Jurisdiction of Lokpal

Supreme Court Stays Lokpal’s Order

On February 20, 2025, a Special Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and A.S. Oka addressed a crucial constitutional question: Can the Lokpal of India investigate sitting High Court judges? The issue emerged after the Lokpal, led by former Supreme Court judge A.M. Khanwilkar, ruled that High Court judges appointed under Acts of Parliament fall under its jurisdiction.

This ruling prompted the Supreme Court to intervene suo moto (on its own), with Justice Gavai calling it “very, very disturbing.” The case raises pressing concerns about judicial independence, separation of powers, and the scope of Lokpal’s authority.

 The Complaint before Lokpal:

The case before the Lokpal revolved around allegations against an Additional Judge of a High Court (whose identity remains undisclosed). The complaint alleged:

• The judge influenced two other judges to rule in favor of a private company that was previously their client.
• The decision allegedly compromised judicial neutrality and favored a corporate interest.
• The complaint raised serious ethical concerns, prompting the Lokpal to initiate an inquiry.
• The Lokpal justified its jurisdiction under Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• The order referred to a January 3, 2025, precedent where the Lokpal dismissed a complaint against former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, ruling that Supreme Court judges were not covered as the SC was established under Article 124 of the Constitution, rather than an Act of Parliament.
• Based on this distinction, the Lokpal asserted that judges of High Courts established under Acts of Parliament, like the Delhi or Gauhati High Courts, were subject to its jurisdiction.

However, this interpretation was swiftly challenged by the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court’s Concerns: 

The Supreme Court questioned the validity of the Lokpal’s assertion, emphasizing key constitutional principles:

1. Judges Are Constitutional Authorities – Justice Oka noted that all judges, whether of the High Court or Supreme Court, derive their authority from the Constitution, not statutory law.
2. A Statutory Body Cannot Override the Constitution – The Lokpal Act is a parliamentary statute, whereas judicial independence is a constitutional mandate.
3. Legal Precedent on Judicial Investigations – The 1991 Supreme Court ruling in K. Veeraswamy v. Union of India clarifies that High Court and Supreme Court judges are public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, but with key restrictions.
4. Mandatory Consultation with the CJI – The Veeraswamy judgment mandates that before filing a complaint or FIR against a High Court or Supreme Court judge, the President must consult the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
5. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s Argument – Mehta argued that judges are not answerable to the Lokpal, as judicial accountability should be managed within the judiciary itself.
6. Immediate Stay on Lokpal’s Order – The Supreme Court halted any further action by the Lokpal and issued notices to the Union Government, the Lokpal Registrar, and the complainant.

This intervention underscores the delicate balance between judicial accountability and judicial independence.

Key developments:

The Supreme Court’s stay order sets the stage for a landmark decision on the jurisdictional limits of the Lokpal. 

• The Union Government’s response will clarify its stance on the judicial accountability framework.
• The Supreme Court may establish clearer guidelines on handling misconduct allegations against judges.
• If the Lokpal’s jurisdiction is upheld, it could create significant friction between the executive and judiciary.
• The case may prompt parliamentary discussions on judicial oversight mechanisms.
• Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) input will be crucial in shaping the final verdict.
• The ruling will set a constitutional precedent for future cases involving judicial accountability and Lokpal powers.

Until then, judicial independence remains a critical constitutional pillar under scrutiny.

Seven Elements of Judicial Independence

Judicial independence is fundamental to democracy. Here’s how the Lokpal’s order challenges the seven pillars of judicial independence:

Element	Explanation	Impact of Lokpal’s Order
Separation from Executive & Legislature	Judiciary must remain free from government control.	Allowing Lokpal (a statutory body) to investigate judges risks executive interference.
Security of Tenure	Judges can only be removed through impeachment under Articles 124(4) and 217(1)(b).	If Lokpal probes judges, it could lead to undue pressure, undermining judicial impartiality.
Financial Independence	Judicial salaries and pensions are secured under Article 125 & 221.	While Lokpal doesn’t impact funding, external oversight could lead to coercive tactics.
Power of Judicial Review	Courts must independently review executive actions.	If judges fear Lokpal scrutiny, their ability to check executive overreach could be compromised.
Contempt of Court Powers	Courts have authority to penalize attempts to undermine their dignity.	If Lokpal intervenes, courts could lose internal disciplinary autonomy.
Collegium System for Appointments	Judges appoint judges to avoid political interference.	Judicial appointments could be indirectly influenced if Lokpal gains oversight.
Freedom from Public & Media Pressure	Judges should rule based on law, not public sentiment.	Lokpal investigations could lead to media trials, affecting judicial neutrality.

Final Analysis: Lokpal vs. Judicial Independence

The Supreme Court’s intervention aligns with the core principles of judicial independence. While judicial accountability is essential, it must be regulated within the judiciary to prevent political or executive influence. Key takeaways:

1. Separation of powers must be upheld – Judges must remain independent of executive oversight.
2. Existing legal safeguards are sufficient – The Veeraswamy ruling already provides a framework for judicial accountability.
3. Expanding Lokpal’s jurisdiction could weaken the judiciary – Subjecting judges to external scrutiny risks undermining their independence.
4. A balanced reform approach is needed – Judicial accountability can be strengthened internally without compromising separation of powers.
5. The Supreme Court’s final verdict will set a precedent – The ruling could reshape how India handles allegations against sitting judges.
6. The rule of law depends on an independent judiciary – Ensuring judicial autonomy is key to democratic stability.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Lokpal’s order reinforces a constitutional commitment to judicial independence. While judges must be held accountable, allowing an external statutory body like Lokpal to investigate them could disrupt the delicate balance of power. The ongoing case will determine the limits of Lokpal’s authority and redefine judicial accountability in India.

Back to Basics: Understanding Judicial Independence

What is Judicial Independence?

Judicial independence means that the judiciary must be free from executive and legislative influence, ensuring fair and impartial justice. It prevents undue pressure on judges, safeguarding their ability to interpret laws and uphold constitutional values.

Key Principles of Judicial Independence:

1. Separation of Powers – The judiciary must remain distinct from the executive and legislature to prevent conflicts of interest.
2. Security of Tenure – Judges cannot be removed arbitrarily; they serve fixed terms and can only be impeached through constitutional processes.
3. Financial Independence – Judges’ salaries and pensions are secured under constitutional provisions to prevent economic coercion.
4. Power of Judicial Review – The judiciary must have the authority to review laws and executive actions for constitutional validity.
5. Collegium System for Appointments – Ensures judges are appointed based on merit, free from political influence.
6. Contempt of Court Powers – Allows courts to penalize any attempts to undermine judicial authority.
7. Freedom from Media & Public Pressure – Judges should decide cases based on law, not public sentiment or political influence.

Why Does Judicial Independence Matter?

• Ensures Fair Trials – Prevents external forces from influencing judicial decisions.
• Maintains Constitutional Supremacy – Judges act as guardians of constitutional rights.
• Prevents Political Interference – Protects democracy by ensuring an impartial judiciary.
• Upholds Citizens’ Rights – A strong judiciary safeguards fundamental rights from being undermined by the state.