Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah is scheduled to present the full-fledged State Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 10, 2026. The budget presentation will be a key highlight of the upcoming Budget Session, which commences on July 6 and will run until July 31, 2026.

This budget is expected to outline the state government’s fiscal roadmap and development priorities for the coming year, with a particular focus anticipated on employment-related initiatives and strategies to sustain Assam’s economic growth trajectory. The session marks the first full budget of the current government following the 2026 Assembly elections.

What was announced

The Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat released a provisional calendar confirming the schedule for the Budget Session of the Sixteenth Assam Legislative Assembly. According to the calendar, the session will begin on July 6, 2026, with routine legislative business including obituary references, presentation of reports, and introduction of government bills. Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah will formally table the Annual Financial Statement for the 2026-27 fiscal year on July 10, 2026.

Following the budget presentation, a three-day general discussion on the budget is slated from July 13 to July 15, during which legislators will debate the proposed policy initiatives, expenditure proposals, and developmental programmes. The Assembly will then observe a recess from July 16 to July 21 to allow Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) to examine various demands for grants. Legislative proceedings will resume on July 22 for discussions and voting on departmental demands for grants, with the Assam Appropriation Bill, 2026, expected to be considered for passage on July 23. The session is scheduled to have a total of 16 working days.

Why it matters

The presentation of the State Budget is a critical annual event that shapes the financial and developmental landscape of Assam. It serves as the government’s blueprint for allocating resources across various sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social welfare. The budget is crucial for driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and improving the quality of life for citizens across the state.

Officials familiar with the matter indicate that the budget will likely reflect the government’s commitment to further accelerating Assam’s economic progress. The state has demonstrated robust economic performance in recent years, with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices growing by 7.94 percent as of 2024-25, positioning it as the third fastest-growing state in India. The GSDP is projected to reach ₹7.42 lakh crore by 2025-26, representing a growth of 15.2 percent. This consistent growth trajectory has positioned Assam among the top five fastest-growing states in India, consistently outpacing the national average, according to a report.

Background

Assam’s economy has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on January 1, 2026, that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data recognized Assam as the fastest-growing state economy in the country, achieving 45 percent growth over the last five years, significantly higher than the national growth of 29 percent. The Chief Minister highlighted that the state’s GSDP is expected to surge to ₹7,41,626 crore in 2025-26 from ₹4,10,724 crore in 2020-21. Per capita income in the state also saw a substantial increase, rising by 54 percent from ₹1,03,371 in 2020-21 to ₹1,59,185 in 2024-25, Mr. Sarma said.

The state government has consistently emphasized fiscal discipline and efficiency, achieving a record-high budget utilisation rate of 85 percent in 2024-25, a notable improvement from 65 percent in 2020-21, according to the Chief Minister. The Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (AFRBM) Act, 2005, guides the state’s fiscal policy, setting targets for reducing revenue and fiscal deficits. For 2025-26, the state aimed for a revenue balance and a fiscal deficit target of 3.7 percent of GSDP.

In the previous full budget for 2025-26, presented by then Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on March 10, 2025, several key initiatives were announced. These included the “Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerona” scheme, which provides ₹2,500 per month to graduates from government universities and colleges in Assam for up to one year to support them during their job search. A one-time research grant of ₹25,000 was also announced for research scholars of state and central government universities. The 2025-26 budget also focused on women’s empowerment through schemes like “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan” and the “Lakhpati Baideo Scheme,” aiming to create one lakh rural women entrepreneurs. Additionally, a professional tax exemption was introduced for individuals earning less than ₹15,000 per month, benefiting over 1.43 lakh taxpayers.

The current government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has also launched “Mission 2 Lakh Govt Jobs,” an initiative aimed at providing two lakh government jobs over the next five years across various departments and autonomous institutions. A task force, chaired by the Chief Secretary, is actively working to identify vacancies and develop a roadmap for this ambitious employment drive.

Key details

The Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly for the financial year 2026-27 will unfold as follows:

  • Session Commencement: July 6, 2026
  • Budget Presentation: July 10, 2026, by Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah
  • General Discussion on Budget: July 13 to July 15, 2026
  • Recess for DRSCs: July 16 to July 21, 2026
  • Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants: July 22, 2026
  • Consideration of Assam Appropriation Bill, 2026: July 23, 2026
  • Session Conclusion: July 31, 2026
  • Total Working Days: 16 days

Recently, the state cabinet also approved the implementation framework of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act), 2025, for Assam, to be implemented from July 1, 2026. This mission has a budget allocation of ₹2,000 crore and aims to provide 125 man-days for direct wage employment, with an emphasis on creating assets. Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah recently chaired a review meeting with the Commissionerate of Taxes, stressing the importance of expanding the tax base and leveraging technology for revenue mobilization without burdening honest taxpayers.

What’s next

Following its presentation, the budget will undergo detailed scrutiny and debate by the members of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The discussions will culminate in the passage of the Assam Appropriation Bill, 2026, which authorizes government expenditure for the financial year. The successful passage of the budget will pave the way for the implementation of various schemes and developmental projects across the state, with citizens keenly observing the specific allocations and policy directions that emerge from the session. The government aims to achieve a $300 billion economy by 2035, a vision that the upcoming budget is expected to further support.

Sources & References