New Delhi, March 18, 2026 — The Delhi government expanded its consultation process for Budget 2026 by engaging students, working women, teachers, and sports stakeholders in a structured dialogue at the Delhi Secretariat. The interaction aimed to incorporate grassroots inputs into fiscal planning and align budget priorities with real needs across education, safety, infrastructure, and sports sectors.
Education, Infrastructure, and Student-Centric Demands
Students highlighted multiple gaps in school infrastructure and learning resources. Key suggestions included renovation or reconstruction of school buildings, development of digital libraries, improved access to higher education books, and reliable water supply within campuses.
Participants also emphasized the need for better sanitation facilities, internal road infrastructure, and dedicated career counseling rooms in schools. The inclusion of artificial intelligence-based learning tools was suggested to modernize education systems and improve student preparedness.
A proposal was made to extend the mid-day meal scheme up to Class 12 and include protein-rich food. Students also called for improved sports training infrastructure, including access to qualified coaches and modern facilities across schools. These measures were identified as essential for both academic and extracurricular development.
Women’s Safety, Teacher Welfare, and Public Services
Working women raised concerns regarding safety in public transport systems, particularly around metro stations. The need for stronger monitoring and preventive measures was highlighted to improve daily commuting conditions.
Teachers emphasized improvements in public transport, traffic management, and school infrastructure. Demands included an increase in salaries for guest teachers and provision of an additional monthly leave.
Participants also recommended AI-based training programs for teachers to enhance teaching quality and adapt to evolving educational technologies. Concerns regarding staff shortages were raised, with calls for adequate recruitment to maintain academic standards.
Women teachers proposed the introduction of crèche facilities in schools to support childcare needs. These suggestions reflect broader concerns related to workplace support and institutional capacity.
Sports Development and Institutional Support
Sports stakeholders emphasized the need to increase budget allocation for sports development. A key recommendation was to make sports a mandatory component of the school curriculum to promote early engagement.
Participants suggested reducing stadium usage charges to improve accessibility for athletes. They also called for the appointment of permanent coaches, with a focus on increasing the number of women coaches to support female athletes.
The recruitment of physical education teachers and provision of international-standard sports equipment were also highlighted as priorities. Stakeholders recommended financial support for sports associations and the development of world-class sports infrastructure in Delhi.
Participatory Budgeting Approach
The consultation highlighted the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives into budget planning. Participants noted that public funds should be allocated in a manner that directly improves daily life and addresses sector-specific challenges.
The government indicated that inputs received during these consultations will be evaluated and integrated into Budget 2026 planning. The approach reflects an emphasis on participatory governance and inclusive policy design.
The consultation process is expected to continue with additional stakeholder groups, contributing to a comprehensive and citizen-focused budget framework.
