Lucknow residents share views on Union Budget 2026:Experts say it is filled with expectations; professionals argue there is no significant relief

In the 2026 general budget, the central government announced several new schemes. The focus is on making India a medical hub and improving youth skills. Experts say the budget will strengthen the infrastructure sector. However, some people feel it did not meet expectations, as there were hopes for major concessions. There is also no change in the income tax slab. Dainik Bhaskar spoke to selected experts in Lucknow to understand the key points of the budget. Dr. Sanjay Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, said the budget includes support for caregivers of elderly people. He called this a milestone, as today’s young population will eventually become senior citizens, and this step will help them in the future. He added that the budget includes other long-term benefits. While it may not be called a populist budget, experts agree it will have a significant impact. Dr Singh also highlighted the budget’s focus on science and technology. India’s growing achievements in space technology, he said, show the country’s potential to become a global leader in the coming years. The budget also announces several measures for persons with disabilities, aiming to bring them into the mainstream and allow them to contribute more to the country’s progress.
A significant step towards an empowered and prosperous India Acharya Narayan Das of Shri Bharat Milap Ashram, situated in Mayakund, Rishikesh, and a native of Lucknow, says that: The Union Budget of 2026 on India’s economic horizon is not merely a simple financial statement, but a strong pillar that will give concrete shape to the vision of ‘Developed India’. The soul of this budget lies in the coordination of economic discipline and modern national aspirations. On one hand, the government has controlled the fiscal deficit within the modest limit of 4.3%, while on the other hand, the huge capital allocated for basic infrastructure will accelerate the country’s progress.
Special emphasis on emerging and strategic sectors like semiconductors and bio-pharma clearly indicates that India is now not just a market for consumption, but is moving towards becoming a global hub for innovation, research, and manufacturing.
This budget is free from the allure of momentary populist promises and focuses on long-term and sustainable results. A robust banking system, accessible and inclusive technology, along with these, are important steps towards a self-reliant, capable, and prosperous India. Disappointment due to no discussion on new pay scale Satyashankar Mishra, provincial president of the Government Teachers’ Association, says that there has been great disappointment regarding Budget 2026. It was hoped that this time the government would definitely pay attention to teachers and the education system in the budget, but by showing a 7% increase, a rattle has been handed over (implying a trivial gesture). Along with increasing the budget, mismanagement was to be removed, which did not happen; money is merely being wasted, neither administrative management is correct nor financial management is correct. Ever since digitalization came, there has been a race among people to make everyone an engineer, everyone a doctor. No one talks about character education. Another problem has arisen in schools: with the aim of making education employment-oriented, they have paid a lot of attention to skill development in schools, but no attention is paid to the arrangement of teachers or their regular curriculum. Posts for important subjects are vacant, and even the teachers who are there have been given other tasks by the department. The condition of schools is very pathetic. First, their infrastructure should be improved, and teachers should be provided so that students can receive basic education. Teaching and learning inside schools should not be disturbed. These practices must be stopped. No one even discusses moral education; everyone wants to make them scientists. It would be better if cultural activities were promoted. Good students should be prepared so that a good society can be formed. The eighth pay commission has not even been discussed; all teaching staff are disappointed.