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Public Expenditure on Children in India: An analysis of union and state government budgets

07 Jan 2021


Author: Jyotsna Jha, Madhusudhan BV Rao

Funding Partner: UNICEF New Delhi

Abstract

This policy brief explores public expenditure on children in India, emphasising the critical need for targeted government investment to support children’s well-being and development. The analysis highlights that public spending on children encompasses various sectors, including education, health, nutrition, and child protection, and is guided by both national and international commitments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals. The study evaluates Union and State government budgets over a seven-year period (2012-13 to 2018-19), revealing disparities in per-child expenditure across different states. It introduces the Child Development Index (CDIa) to assess the impact of public spending on child development outcomes, showing a high correlation between higher public expenditure and improved child well-being. The research also delves into the challenges states face in prioritising child-related spending, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions. The findings underscore the necessity for a differentiated approach to budgeting that considers the unique demographic and economic conditions of each state. The policy brief concludes with recommendations for enhancing the size and efficiency of public expenditure on children, advocating for strategic and sustained investments to address historical underinvestment and achieve equitable child development across India.

Rao, M. B. V., Jha, J. Public expenditure on children in India: An analysis of union and state government budgets. Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS). UNICEF India.

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