The Union Budget for 2026–27 has sharply increased funding for internal security agencies, with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the IB has received a massive 74% jump in its budget allocation compared to the previous year, largely driven by a steep rise in capital expenditure for infrastructure-related spending.

In 2025–26, the overall budget estimate for the Intelligence Bureau stood at Rs 3,893.35 crore, with the revised estimate rising marginally to Rs 4,159.11 crore.

However, in the budget presented on Sunday (February 1), the allocation for the IB—functioning under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs—has surged to Rs 6,782.43 crore.

A significant portion of this increase has been earmarked for capital expenditure. For 2026–27, capital outlay for the IB has been pegged at Rs 2,549.54 crore, a dramatic rise from just Rs 230.76 crore in the previous financial year, indicating major investments in infrastructure and related assets.

The enhanced allocation to the Intelligence Bureau comes amid an overall expansion of the Union Home Ministry’s budget, which has increased from Rs 2,33,210 crore to Rs 2,55,233.53 crore. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, has also seen its budget rise, from Rs 35,147.47 crore in 2025–26 to Rs 38,517.93 crore in the current financial year.

The Hindustan Times report noted that the Union Home Ministry and the CRPF are working on plans to deploy the CRPF’s specialised COBRA force in Jammu and Kashmir.

Alongside this, budgetary allocations for other paramilitary forces under the Home Ministry, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, have also been enhanced, reflecting a broader push to strengthen internal and border security capabilities.