Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the state’s annual budget for 2025-26 on Monday, marking a significant step toward the state’s vision of becoming a prosperous and inclusive economy by 2036. With an outlay of ₹2.9 lakh crore, up from ₹2.65 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year, the budget lays the groundwork for Odisha’s long-term economic transformation.
In his speech, CM Majhi shared a bold aspiration for the state to achieve a $500 billion economy by 2036, with the goal of making Odisha a major growth engine in India’s development story. The Chief Minister emphasized that “Samruddha Odisha” (Prosperous Odisha) isn’t just about economic growth but also about creating jobs, fostering inclusive development, and ensuring opportunities for every citizen.
“We are laying the foundation for Samruddha Odisha 2036 with this budget. It’s about creating a prosperous, empowered Odisha—focused on sustainable growth and ensuring equal opportunities for all,” Majhi said. To achieve this vision, the state is prioritizing key sectors like infrastructure development, agriculture, urbanization, industry, and port-led growth.
The budget will primarily be funded through ₹2,32,000 crore in revenue receipts, along with ₹58,000 crore from borrowing and other sources. CM Majhi expressed confidence that the state would generate a revenue surplus of around 3% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and keep the fiscal deficit within 3.2% of GSDP for 2025-26.
Notably, the programme budget for 2025-26 has been increased to ₹1.7 lakh crore, constituting about 59% of the total budget, while the capital outlay of ₹65,012 crore, or 6.1% of the GSDP, is one of the highest among major states.
In a major boost to the agriculture sector, Majhi allocated ₹37,838 crore for agriculture and allied activities, marking a 12% increase from last year. The government also increased the funding for its flagship Samrudha Krushak Yojana to ₹6,000 crore, up from ₹5,000 crore in the previous year.
For the water resources sector, the Chief Minister allocated ₹14,895 crore, a 12% rise from the previous year, aiming to enhance irrigation facilities and water management across the state.
A key highlight of the budget was the creation of an autonomous body, the Highways Authority of Odisha, inspired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to speed up road infrastructure projects. Odisha aims to construct 75,000 km of world-class roads by 2030. The Chief Minister also unveiled a new, progressive road policy to facilitate the development of major highways and expressways.
In addition to infrastructure, the budget also focuses on social welfare schemes. CM Majhi announced ₹820 crore for the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, ₹2,603 crore for the Antyodaya Housing Scheme, and ₹193 crore for the Gangadhar Meher Education Standard Enhancement Scheme, which includes provisions for free bicycles for Class 9 students.
The budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to not just economic growth, but also to creating a balanced and inclusive state that provides equitable opportunities for all citizens.
