🎬 The Alarming Gap in Progress
We repeatedly hear: “Education and health are the bedrock of any nation’s growth.”
Yet, the numbers from India’s 29 states for FY 2025-26 tell a far less uplifting story.
Combined budgeted receipts: ~ ₹51 lakh crore.
Budgeted spend on education + Health: ~ ₹13 lakh crore.
That’s about 25% of state revenue bills.
Sounds decent? But dig deeper — some states that flash innovation and tech prowess are also among the worst offenders. Some poorer states are outspending many richer ones. The question: Is that 25% enough? And are they spending it right?
1️⃣ The Surprises: IT States Falling Behind
It’s a stunner: states like telangana and karnataka — often lauded as tech & innovation hubs — rank among the lowest spends on education + health as % of revenue. Alongside them: Jharkhand.
So while “freebies” splash across headlines, core investment in human capital is apparently sidelined. Freebies cost money — and the budget has to fund them somehow.
2️⃣ The Leaders: bihar & rajasthan Doing More With Less
At the other end: bihar and rajasthan — among the highest % spenders on these sectors. A genuine shock, given their historic struggles. Change is visible.
It shows: higher %-spend doesn’t automatically mean “rich state” — it might mean choices made differently.
3️⃣ Middle of the Pack: TN, Kerala, Maharashtra
States often praised for social indicators — tamil Nadu, Kerala, and maharashtra — clock in around 24% spend. Not awful, but not extraordinary either.
For states with higher aspirations, “just average” might not be enough.
4️⃣ When % Means Less Than It Looks
A high % in a state with low revenue or small GSDP may still translate to a tiny per-person investment.
Conversely, a richer state spending a lower %, might still allocate massive rupees per child or patient. Percentages lie if you don’t check the denominator.
5️⃣ The Real-World Question: Does More Spend = Better Outcomes?
Spending is just the first step. What about:
✔ learning levels in schools?
✔ health outcomes and hospital access?
✔ regional disparities inside states?
If high-spend states aren’t delivering outcomes, the money is just motion, not progress.
6️⃣ politics vs Priorities
Are states cutting education + health because they can’t afford it — or because they chose to fund other things (freebies, flashy infrastructure, subsidies)?
Some states might have structural reasons, while others might make political choices. The difference matters.
7️⃣ The Bigger Benchmark: Why Not More Than 25%?
If 25% is the average — why aren’t richer states pushing it to 30, 35, 40%?
Why settle for “adequate” when the vision is transformational human capital growth?
The ceiling isn’t set — the choice is.
🧨 Final Mic-Drop
Spending 25% of revenue on education + health sounds “okay”.
Living with 25% of your potential? That’s risky.
Because if a country’s future rests on its people, then investing in those people must be bold, visible, consistent, and outcome-oriented.
The map doesn’t lie.
But the story behind it still hides unanswered questions.
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