Union Budget 2026-27: Intelligence Bureau Funding Surges 74% to Strengthen National Security
New Delhi | Feb 2, 2026 The Union Budget 2026-27 has given a significant boost to India’s internal security, with funding for the Intelligence Bureau (“IB”) rising by 74% compared to last year. A total of ₹6,782.43 crore has been allocated to the agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with ₹2,549.54 crore earmarked for capital expenditure. This is a sharp increase from ₹230.76 crore spent on capital last year. The rise in funding comes in the wake of recent terror attacks, including the November strike near Delhi’s Red Fort and the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which together claimed 26 lives and exposed vulnerabilities in both urban and border security. The budgetary increase reflects the government’s push to expand the IB’s capabilities and strengthen infrastructure. Post the Pahalgam attack, India’s response through Operation Sindoor saw the IB coordinating closely with state police and the Central Industrial Security Force to secure critical assets. Officials highlighted that the enhanced funding will enable the agency to modernize its operations and improve intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future threats. The Union Home Ministry’s overall budget has also been raised from ₹2,33,210 crore to ₹2,55,233.53 crore. The Central Reserve Police Force (“CRPF”), India’s largest paramilitary force with over 3 lakh personnel, will receive ₹38,517.93 crore, up from ₹35,147.47 crore last year. The CRPF, which plays a major role in combating left-wing extremism, will increase its presence in Jammu and Kashmir, with plans to deploy its specialized COBRA commandos trained in guerrilla warfare. Other forces, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (“ITBP”), will also see a substantial rise, with capital expenditure growing 59% to ₹225.80 crore, bringing total funding to ₹11,324.08 crore. The budget also strengthens the criminal justice system in line with the three new criminal laws implemented on July 1, 2024. Allocation for criminology and forensic sciences has increased from ₹93.35 crore in 2025-26 to ₹132.89 crore. Similarly, the Inter Operable Criminal Justice System (“IOCJS”), which digitizes processes from FIR to judgment across police, forensic labs, and prisons, has seen its budget rise from ₹300.01 crore to ₹550 crore. These measures aim to modernize India’s justice delivery system, enhance investigative efficiency, and ensure a swift, coordinated response to crime and security threats. Union Budget 2026-27: Intelligence Bureau Gets 74% More Funds to Strengthen Security The Union Budget 2026-27 has given a major boost to India’s internal security with the Intelligence Bureau (“IB”) receiving ₹6,782.43 crore, a 74% increase from last year. Of this, ₹2,549.54 crore is allocated for capital expenditure, much higher than ₹230.76 crore in 2025-26. The increase comes after recent terror attacks, including the November Red Fort strike in Delhi and the April Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which together claimed 26 lives. Officials said the funding will help the IB expand its capabilities, improve infrastructure, and coordinate closely with state police and the Central Industrial Security Force. Post Operation Sindoor, the agency has been actively securing India’s critical assets and strengthening surveillance and rapid response systems. The overall Home Ministry budget has risen to ₹2,55,233.53 crore. The CRPF will get ₹38,517.93 crore, up from ₹35,147.47 crore, while the COBRA commandos will strengthen operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (“ITBP”) will also see a 59% rise in capital funds to ₹225.80 crore, bringing its total allocation to ₹11,324.08 crore. In line with the three new criminal laws, funding for criminology and forensic sciences rises to ₹132.89 crore, and the Inter Operable Criminal Justice System (“IOCJS”) budget grows to ₹550 crore. These measures aim to modernize policing, speed up justice delivery, and ensure better coordination across police, forensic labs, and prisons.
