Centre Launches Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub to Empower Inclusive Governance

In a move aimed at enhancing gender-responsive governance, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), led by Minister Annpurna Devi, launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub on June 20, 2025. The portal is designed to serve as a comprehensive digital platform to support gender budgeting efforts across central and state ministries, showcasing the Centre’s rising commitment toward inclusive fiscal planning and empowerment of women. The launch coincided with a national consultation held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking two decades of India’s gender budgeting journey.

Why in News?

On June 20, 2025, the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub was officially launched by the WCD Ministry. The launch coincides with a ₹4.49 lakh crore allocation in the gender budget for FY 2025–26, a 37% increase over the previous year. The national consultation brought together officials from 40 central ministries, 19 states, and global institutions like UN Women and ADB.

Objectives of the Portal

• To streamline gender budgeting processes across government bodies.
• To act as a centralized digital repository of knowledge, tools, training manuals, and success stories.
• To build institutional capacity for integrating gender perspectives in policy and budgeting.

Key Highlights

Gender Budget Allocation

• FY 2014–15: ₹0.98 lakh crore
• FY 2025–26: ₹4.49 lakh crore
• 4.5x increase in 11 years
• The Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub targets ministries, departments, and states as users.

The portal will host,

• Best practices from across India
• Training manuals
• Case studies
• Budgeting templates and guidelines

Statements & Observations

• Minister Annpurna Devi said gender budgeting is now a strategic tool for inclusive governance, not just a fiscal metric.
• Emphasized the government’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) through women-centric investments.
• Highlighted India’s evolving policy approach — from allocation tracking to outcome-based budgeting for women.

Deliberations in National Consultation

• Theme: “20 Years of Gender Budgeting: Achievements & Challenges”

Participants: Officers from,

• 40 Central Ministries
• 19 States
• International agencies: UN Women, ADB

Focus

• Training modules
• Draft Gender Budgeting Training Manual
• Sector-specific integration strategies