Budget 2026: FM announces 'Lakpati Didi' Expansion, NIMHANS 2.0 planned in north India

In Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the expansion of the Lakpati Didi programme to help women transition from credit-linked livelihoods to enterprise ownership. The government will establish self-help entrepreneur marts as community-owned retail outlets, backed by enhanced and innovative financing, to strengthen women-led entrepreneurship across India. The Union Budget 2026 proposes setting up NIMHANS 2.0, a premier mental health institute in North India, aimed at expanding access to advanced mental healthcare, research, and training. The move signals a major boost to India’s mental health infrastructure.