Highlights Allocation toward Police remains the highest allocation under the Ministry (68%).  CAPFs accounted for 67% of Police allocation, and 98% of the expenditure is towards revenue.  CAPFs had vacancies of 8% in 2024.   Budget utilisation under forensics-related schemes has been low. Jammu & Kashmir accounts for 62% of all transfers to the Union Territories. Rs 6,000 crore has been allocated for Census and Registrar General for Census 2027.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is responsible for ensuring internal security, administering the central police and paramilitary forces, border management, Union Territories (UTs) administration, disaster management, and coordination with states.[i]  Article 355 of the Constitution obligates the Union Government to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance.  The Ministry provides manpower, financial support, guidance, and expertise to state governments to help maintain peace and security.  The Ministry also makes transfers to UTs (as they do not receive a share in central taxes), and directly administers UTs that do not have a legislature.1

This note analyses the expenditure trends and budget proposals for the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2026-27, and discusses issues across sectors under the administration of the Ministry.

Overview of Finances

In 2026-27, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been allocated Rs 2,55,234 crore.[ii]  This is a 9.4% increase over the revised estimates for 2025-26 (Rs 2,41,485 crore).  In 2026-27, allocation to MHA constitutes 5% of the Union Budget.2

In 2026-27, 68% of the Ministry’s budget has been allocated towards police.[iii]  Transfers to the Union Territories makes for the second highest allocation (27%), with Jammu and Kashmir and accounting for 62% of these transfers.  Allocation for census and Statistics has increased to Rs 6,000 crore from Rs 1,040 crore in 2025-26 revised estimates.  Other expenditure items of the MHA include disaster management, rehabilitation of refugees and migrants, and administrative matters.  These have been allocated Rs 5,491 crore.

The expenditure of the Ministry has been higher than the budgeted expenditure in all years since 2021-22.  In 2025-26, the Ministry is estimated to utilise 104% of the budget allocated.

Table 1: Key Allocations to the Ministry, 2026-27 (in Rs crore)

Head	Revenue	Capital	Total
Police	1,52,530	21,272	1,73,803
Census	5,782	218	6,000
Others	5.090	401	5,490
Transfers to Union Territories
Jammu and Kashmir	43,290	N/A	43,290
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	6,083	598	6,681
Chandigarh	5,275	445	5,720
Ladakh	2,542	2,327	4,869
Puducherry	3,518	0	3,518
D&NH and D&U	1,733	1,100	2,833
Lakshadweep	1,336	346	1,682
Delhi	968	380	1,348
Total	2,28,147	27,087	2,55,234

Note: D&NH and D&U is Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.  Police include allocation to Central Armed Forces, Delhi Police, J & K Police, Border Infrastructure, and Intelligence Bureau.  Other include administrative expenditure, cabinet expenditure, and several central sector schemes.
Sources: Demand Numbers 49 to 59, Ministry of Home Affairs, 2026-27; PRS.

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