J&K kicks off budget preparations for 2026-27

Srinagar, Oct 4: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has initiated an exercise to prepare the annual budget for the next financial year.
To begin with, the Finance Department has asked all departments to start the budget preparation for 2026–27.
“All administrative departments, Heads of Departments (HODs), Budget Controlling Officers, and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) are requested to start the budget preparation exercise for the year 2026–27 in right earnest, to enable examination, compilation, and consolidation of these estimates within the administrative departments for onward submission to the Finance Department,” reads a circular issued by the Finance Department.
As per circular, all administrative departments have been directed to submit their recommendations to the Finance Department no later than October 30, after due scrutiny of the estimates.
“All administrative secretaries are requested to send budget proposals in respect of each HOD to the Finance Department by the notified date,” the circular states.
The calendar for discussion of departmental budget proposals shall be notified separately.
As per the circular, budget preparation at the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) and Head of Department (HOD) levels shall be completed by October 20 and October 25, respectively.
According to guidelines issued by the Finance Department, the Revised Estimates for 2025–26 and Budget Estimates for 2026–27 shall be prepared against sanctioned posts for filled positions only, without any provision for vacant or deputation posts.
“A separate statement showing provision for vacant posts for 12 months in Budget Estimates 2026–27 and for six months in Revised Estimates 2025–26 shall be appended with the budget proposals,” the guidelines state.
The Finance Department has also directed that no creation of posts shall be anticipated or budgeted for in either the Revised Estimates 2025–26 or the Budget Estimates 2026–27 for the ensuing financial year.
According to the department, both the Revised Estimates for 2025–26 and Budget Estimates for 2026–27 related to works shall be projected by each HOD, DDO, and Budget Controlling Officer in consultation with the respective MLAs.
“Revised Estimates 2025–26 under CDF, DDC/BDC, and PRI/ULB grants shall be projected within the available grants, in consultation with Hon’ble MLAs, DDCs, BDCs, and PRI members,” the guidelines emphasise. (KNO)