Kerala Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Balagopal presents State budget

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Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal at his residence before leaving for Budget presentation in Thiruvananthapuram on January 29, 2026. | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will present the 2026-27 State Budget on Thursday (January 29, 2026) in the Legislative Assembly. The Budget, the final one of the current CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, is being keenly watched for surprise announcements with Kerala expecting Assembly polls in a few months’ time. 

Expect a realistic and practical State Budget: Kerala Finance Minister Balagopal

It is to be seen how the Budget will address some major pending issues including the LDF manifesto promise of hiking the social security pensions ₹2,500, an assured pension scheme for government employees, and the pay revision demand by government employees. Ahead of his sixth Budget presentation, Mr. Balagopal had stated that Kerala can expect a “realistic and practical” Budget which would reflect the LDF’s conviction that it would continue in power in the State.

Kerala economy records ‘strong’ 6.19% real growth in 2024-25, says Economic Review

The Economic Review 2025 tabled in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (January 28) had noted that Kerala had posted strong growth in 2024-25 with the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) clocking 6.19% growth in real terms. The Kerala Budget is being tabled ahead of the Union Budget and the announcements regarding the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. (With inputs from agencies)

Kerala Finance Minister says that the current LDF government’s annual expenditure stands at 1.69 lakh crore, while the previous government had an annual average expenditure of 1.18 lakh crore.

Finance Minister K.N.Balagopal allocates ₹3,720 crore for new welfare scheme of ₹1,000 per month for women, who are not covered under other schemes

Connect to work scholarship scheme gets an allocation of ₹400 crore. The scheme provides ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for up to a year to educated, unemployed youth aged 18-30

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal allocates ₹400 crore to work scholarship scheme. The scheme provides ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for up to a year to educated, unemployed youth aged 18-30. 

₹14,500 crore has also been allocated to social welfare pensions. 

Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will present the 2026-27 State Budget today (Thursday, January 29, 2026) in the Legislative Assembly.

The Budget, the final one of the current CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, is being keenly watched for surprise announcements with Kerala expecting Assembly polls in a few months’ time.

Kerala's LDF government presents its final budget today, with key announcements anticipated ahead of upcoming Assembly polls.

Kerala's economy shows strong growth in 2024-25, emphasizing the need for innovative fiscal strategies to address challenges.

In a pre-Budget chat, Mr. Balagopal — whose sixth Budget is also the final one of the present Left Democratic Front (LDF) government as Kerala moves towards Assembly elections — said his presentation on Thursday would reflect the LDF’s conviction that it would continue in power in the State. “We expect the full support of the people. The Budget will be realistic and practical,” he said.

On the LDF manifesto promise of raising social security pensions to ₹2,500 and the pay revision demand for government employees, Mr. Balagopal hinted that the Budget would have positive decisions for these sectors as well as all others. At the same time, the Minister was quick to add that these were also tied to the availability of resources.

state budget and tax / Assembly Elections / Live news / Kerala