New Delhi:Welcoming the Union Budget 2026, Just Rights for Children (JRC), one of the country’s largest child rights networks, has described the budget as “promising”, citing a decisive and long-overdue increase in government spending on child welfare.

The total allocation for the welfare of children has risen by 14 percent, from ₹1,16,133 crore in FY 2025–26 to ₹1,32,297 crore in FY 2026–27, signalling renewed policy focus on children’s rights, education, and protection.

Expressing support for the budget, Ravi Kant, National Convenor of Just Rights for Children, said the increase sends a “clear and powerful message” about the government’s commitment to children.

“For the first time in more than a decade, the share of children in the total Union Budget has increased. This rise is not just significant but absolutely necessary,” he said.

He highlighted enhanced allocations across critical sectors, including Skill Development, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Tribal Affairs, Minority Affairs, and the Jal Jeevan Mission, stating that these investments lay a stronger foundation for achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and a child-marriage-free India.

Ravi Kant further stressed that child marriage remains deeply linked to social and economic inequalities.

“This budget takes an important step by investing in girls’ education, skills, and independence. Without empowering girls, the national commitment to end child marriage by 2030 will remain difficult to achieve,” he said.

Child rights advocates believe the increased allocation could strengthen prevention, education, and protection mechanisms if implemented effectively on the ground.