India Budget 2026-27 Boosts Sports & Infrastructure in New Policy Push

In a major national economic announcement on February 1, 2026, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 with key allocations aimed at strengthening India’s economic framework. A highlight of the budget was a dedicated initiative for high-quality sports goods manufacturing and innovation, intended to position India as a global hub for affordable, quality sports equipment and design. The government also approved reviving 200 legacy industrial clusters for technology upgrades to bolster competitiveness and employment generation. Alongside the sports focus, the budget signalled robust investments in infrastructure and textiles, integrating fibre-self-reliance programs to promote domestic value addition and market expansion across sectors.
Sitharaman stated that these sectoral pushes are essential to create livelihood opportunities, nurture talent, and strengthen industrial manufacturing pathways, reflecting a shift toward market-driven growth and export competitiveness. The initiatives are expected to provide both economic stimulus and cultural support for long-term sports ecosystem development, training, and community engagement. This budget also dovetails with broader reforms aimed at inclusive growth and domestic innovation, emphasising skills, production efficiency, and global competitiveness.