Budget may raise major subsidies by 8% to ₹4.1 lakh crore: Report

The Union Budget could increase food, fertiliser and cooking gas subsidies by 8% to around ₹4.1 lakh crore for FY26, Reuters reported. The government expects its food subsidy bill to increase by about 5% to roughly ₹2.15 lakh crore. Cooking gas subsidies are expected to jump to ₹25,000 crore, while fertiliser subsidies will be likely worth ₹1.7 lakh crore.