Punjab Budget 2026: ₹1,000/Month Cash for 97% Women in Landmark Scheme

Introduction to Punjab Budget 2026

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's AAP government presented the 2026-27 budget with a landmark ₹1,000 per month cash transfer for 97% of women aged 18+ in the state. The total budget of ₹2.18 lakh crore represents a 12% year-on-year increase and includes major allocations for health, education, agriculture loan waiver, and free electricity up to 300 units. This is one of the largest direct cash transfer schemes in India, covering over 1.4 crore women.

Key Takeaways

The Punjab Budget 2026-27 is built around the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojana — a universal cash transfer to women that fulfills a key pre-poll guarantee. Combined with free electricity, farmer loan waivers up to ₹2 lakh, and increased education spending, the budget directly impacts household finances across the state. Use this calculator to estimate your household's total benefits from these schemes.

Women's Cash Transfer Details

Eligible women receive ₹1,000 per month (₹12,000 annually). The scheme covers approximately 97% of adult women in Punjab — the highest such coverage in India. The top 3% of income earners are excluded. The scheme was announced on Women's Day 2026 and is expected to benefit over 1.4 crore women. Payments are typically made through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to linked bank accounts.

Farmer Loan Waiver

The Punjab government has announced a loan waiver of up to ₹2 lakh per farmer for agricultural loans taken before March 2024. This applies to farmers with outstanding dues from cooperative banks and designated lending institutions. The waiver is part of the broader agriculture support in the budget. Farmers with landholding can use this calculator to estimate their potential waiver amount.

Education Budget

The education budget for 2026-27 is ₹22,500 crore, a 15% increase. With approximately 85 lakh students in government schools and colleges, the per-student allocation works out to roughly ₹26,470 per student annually. This covers free education, mid-day meals, and other welfare measures. Households with school-going children benefit from this spending.

Electricity Subsidy

Households in Punjab receive free electricity up to 300 units per month. For an average household consuming within this limit, the savings are approximately ₹1,500 per month compared to standard tariff rates. Consumption above 300 units is billed at normal rates. This subsidy significantly reduces the cost of living for low and middle-income households.

Comparison with Other States

Punjab's ₹1,000/month for 97% of women is among the most universal schemes in India. Tamil Nadu's Kalaignar scheme offers ₹1,000/month to women heads of household. Delhi has similar initiatives. Punjab's 97% coverage is notably higher than most state schemes which typically target BPL or specific categories. The scheme has drawn both praise for its inclusivity and concern over fiscal sustainability.

Budget Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• • Punjab Finance Department — Budget 2026-27 documents
• • NDTV — Punjab budget coverage
• • Economic Times — Budget analysis
• • Hindustan Times — Women's scheme announcement
• • Indian Express — Universal vs targeted schemes analysis