Union Budget 2026-27: Rs 1,102cr allocated for council of ministers, PMO and cabinet secretariat

The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated Rs 1,102 crore for expenses related to the council of ministers, the cabinet secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and government hospitality and entertainment of state guests. This marks an increase from the revised estimate of Rs 978.20 crore in 2025-26.Presenting the Budget in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked Rs 620 crore for the expenses of the council of ministers in the coming financial year, up from Rs 483.54 crore in 2025-26. The allocation covers expenditure on salaries, sumptuary and other allowances and travel of cabinet ministers, Ministers of State and former prime ministers. It also includes provisions for special extra session flight operations for VVIPs.The National Security Council Secretariat has been allocated Rs 256.19 crore for 2026-27, compared with Rs 279.74 crore in the previous fiscal. The funds are meant to meet its administrative expenses and support its space-related programmes.An allocation of up to Rs 65 crore has been made for the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, slightly higher than Rs 61.32 crore in 2025-26. This provision is intended to meet administrative expenses of the office and the National Research Foundation.The Cabinet Secretariat has received Rs 80 crore in the Budget, marginally higher than the Rs 78 crore provided in 2025-26. The funds will be used to meet administrative expenses of the Secretariat and those of the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention.For the Prime Minister’s Office, the Budget has set aside Rs 73.52 crore for 2026-27, compared with Rs 68 crore in the previous year, to meet its administrative expenses.The Budget has also allocated Rs 5.76 crore for government hospitality and entertainment in the coming fiscal, lower than the Rs 6.20 crore provided in 2025-26. This covers expenditure on hospitality for foreign state guests, official entertainment arranged at Rashtrapati Bhawan on behalf of the Vice President and Prime Minister, receptions on National Days, investiture ceremonies and the presentation of credentials.In addition, Rs 1.53 crore has been earmarked for payments towards secretariat assistance to former governors, slightly higher than the Rs 1.40 crore allocated in 2025-26.