India, Feb. 12 -- In the last eight years, the state has been on the path of tremendous growth, shedding the BIMARU tag. Due to its focused welfarist intervention, the state has brought nearly 6 crore population out of multidimensional poverty while the unemployment rate has come down to 2.24% and per capita income more than doubled. UP Budget 2026-27 has taken forward the journey of growth, aiming at sustainable and inclusive growth based on the principle of 'Janvishwas' (people's faith). The volume of the budget is witness to the state's economic prowess. In 2026-27, the total state expenditure has risen to Rs 9,12,696.35 crore, an increase of 12.85% from the 2025-26 budget estimates (BE). UP's contribution to the national economy has increased from 8.6% in 2016-17 to 9.1% in 2024-25. The priority of the government while making expenditure is evident. It has been sustainably keeping 'social services' expenditure higher than 'general and economic services'. In 2026-27 (BE), of the total budget expenditure, 30.83% has been sanctioned to social services as compared to 30.53% of general. Social services include education, health, employment and other welfare programmes. This year, cumulative allocation for primary, middle and higher education is Rs 104907.41 crore. Within the education sector, major share of allocation (Rs 76678.89 crore), following the past trend, goes to primary schools. Another important sector, health department, has received Rs 51814.20 crore under six grant heads (31-36). Following the previous trend, 'family and welfare' has estimated expenditure of Rs 19504.45 crore this year. Allopathic department has a budget estimate of Rs 14048.06 crore in 2026-27. The FM has also announced 14 new medical colleges and Rs 1023 crore has been estimated expenditure. To maintain health, nutrition is a very important component. Keeping in mind children's nutrition, the state has a share of Rs 3844.25 crore for centrally sponsored scheme under department of women and children. The Mukhyamantri Saksham Suposhan Yojna under the women and child department received Rs 556.7 crore in 2026-27. In 2025-26 (BE) the allocation was only Rs. 100 crore. To create employment opportunities, an estimated Rs 200 crore will be spent on UP Rozgar Mission Committee. Under the rural development department (grant 13), an allocation of Rs 3459.09 crore is reserved for Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana while Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojna has received Rs 261.82 crore. Another major allocation of Rs 2440.80 crore is granted under PM Awas Yojna (rural). In 2025-26(BE), the allocation was Rs 1952.64 crore. Within 'grant 3', a major allocation of Rs 1000 crore has been made towards Mukhyamantri YUVA scheme. These elaborations are sufficient to gauge the comprehensiveness and inclusivity of the state government. However, caution must be exercised by the administration that allocations reflect in the actual expenditure. The increase in actual spending will contribute to the 'Viksit Uttar Pradesh Vision 2047'. Prof Harsh Sharma, director, GIDS, Lucknow Dr Manjur Ali, assistant professor, GIDS, Lucknow...