The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has achieved its highest-ever expenditure of Rs 11,810.82 crore during the financial year 2025-26. This marks a nearly 14 per cent increase from the previous year’s expenditure of Rs 10,409.00 crore, showcasing a strong focus on timely fund utilization for welfare schemes. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted that this fiscal year also saw the highest-ever spending on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.
The government reported record expenditure in various areas including Drug Demand Reduction, welfare of Sanitation Workers, Senior Citizens, Transgender persons, and individuals engaged in Beggary. This significant expenditure in FY 2025-26 underscores the government’s dedication to social justice, empowerment, and inclusive development for marginalized communities nationwide. As part of these efforts, 349 Divyang-friendly training centers nationwide provided skill training to 1,883 individuals and issued certifications during the same fiscal year.
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar, disclosed in a recent parliamentary response that during FY 2025-26, 2,395 Divyangjan (differently-abled persons) received training at these centers, with 1,883 individuals successfully certified. Data revealed that Madhya Pradesh led all states by training 947 Divyangjan, with 761 individuals obtaining certifications. Minister Virendra Kumar emphasized that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is actively providing skill training to Persons with disabilities through government organizations and NGOs to enhance their employability and promote self-reliance.
