Union Budget 2026: Food, fertilizer, fuel subsidies slashed
The new Union Budget has slashed food, fertilizer, and fuel subsidies by 4.47% for the next year—down to ₹4.10 lakh crore from the revised estimate of ₹4,29,735 crore for 2025-26.
The government has projected the cut in subsidy outgo and separately discussed fiscal consolidation.
Impact of subsidy cuts on common man
Less money for food programs means schemes like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana—which supports more than 81 crore beneficiaries—are part of that sector.
Fertilizer subsidy cuts could make farming more expensive.
On the flip side, a lower TCS on foreign travel (now just 2%) might make your next trip abroad a bit lighter on your wallet.
The budget's big moves are all about tightening spending while trying not to hit essential support too hard—a balancing act that affects everyone from students planning trips to families relying on subsidized essentials.