Kerala Department Wise Schemes Update 2026 – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Pragya Raghav

Background

Kerala’s welfare delivery operates in a state where geography, demography and social needs make reaching people effectively particularly important. Spread across 38,863 sq km and home to nearly 3.6 crore people, Kerala combines a densely populated midland with a 590 km coastline and vulnerable highland areas exposed to floods and landslides. Its ageing population and large overseas migrant community add further pressure on the state to ensure that public services remain accessible and responsive, particularly for elderly people, vulnerable households and families dependent on social protection.

A key strength of Kerala’s welfare system is its decentralised approach. Since the People’s Plan Campaign of 1996, local governments have played a central role in planning and implementing development programmes. The system now operates through 941 gram panchayats, 152 blocks, 87 municipalities and six corporations across 14 districts. This local structure has been complemented by the four Nava Kerala missions launched in 2016 – Aardram Mission for healthcare, LIFE Mission for housing, Public Education Rejuvenation Mission for education, and Haritha Keralam Mission for environmental development.

More recently, initiatives such as the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas have reinforced the state’s focus on bringing grievance redressal and public services closer to citizens. Digital infrastructure, including Akshaya centres, e-District and government information systems, further supports this network.

KERALA BUDGET 2026-27 DEPARTMENT WISE LIST (38 Departments)

Agriculture Department

1. Scheme: KERA : Kerala Climate Resilient Agri Value Chain Modernisation Project, Launch Year: 2026, World Bank aided, Key Details: Value chain modernisation and climate resilience for paddy, vegetable and spice farming, Coverage: Farmer groups and FPOs statewide, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr
2. Scheme: Paddy Development and Two-Tier Procurement Integration, Launch Year: Ongoing, restructured 2026-27, Key Details: Paddy procurement integrated with Kerala Bank for faster farmer payment, Coverage: Paddy farmers, Kuttanad and Palakkad belts, Latest Budget: ₹150 Cr
3. Scheme: Comprehensive Vegetable Development Scheme, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Support for vegetable cultivation to raise state self-sufficiency, Coverage: Vegetable farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹78.45 Cr
4. Scheme: Coconut Development Scheme, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Replanting, disease management and value addition support for coconut cultivation, Coverage: Coconut farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹73 Cr
5. Scheme: Spices Development Scheme, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Productivity and quality improvement support for pepper, cardamom and other spices, Coverage: Spice growing districts, incl. Idukki and Wayanad, Latest Budget: ₹15 Cr
6. Scheme: Kerala Agriculture University Support, Launch Year: University est. 1971, Key Details: Research, extension and academic funding, Coverage: Statewide agricultural research network, Latest Budget: ₹78 Cr
7. Scheme: State Crop Insurance Scheme, Launch Year: 1995, Key Details: Crop loss compensation supplementing central insurance schemes, Coverage: Registered farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹33.14 Cr
8. Scheme: RKVY, Krishi Unnathi Yojana and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Launch Year: RKVY 2007, Key Details: State share (40 percent) of central agri-development schemes, Coverage: Farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹78.14 Cr
9. Scheme: Soil Health Conservation and Productivity Improvement Scheme, Launch Year: 2013, Key Details: Soil testing and health card based advisory for farmers, Coverage: Farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹31.15 Cr

Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department

1. Scheme: Special Calf Care Programme, Launch Year: 2006, Key Details: Calf mortality reduction and productivity improvement in dairy herds, Coverage: Dairy farmers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹56 Cr
2. Scheme: Dharmadom:Vengad Global Dairy Village, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Model integrated dairy village project, Coverage: Kannur district, Latest Budget: ₹10 Cr

Fisheries Department

1. Scheme: PUNARGHEHAM : Coastal and Sea Erosion Rehabilitation Project, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Rehabilitation of households displaced by coastal and sea erosion, Coverage: Coastal households in erosion-prone stretches, Latest Budget: ₹64.20 Cr
2. Scheme: Aquaculture Development Scheme, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Inland and brackish water aquaculture promotion, Coverage: Fish farmers and coastal households, Latest Budget: ₹70 Cr

Forest and Wild Life Department

1. Scheme: Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Schemes, Launch Year: 2023, Key Details: Rapid response teams, compensation and fencing against elephant and wild boar conflict, Coverage: High-range and forest-fringe panchayats, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr

Marketing, Storage and Warehousing (Agriculture allied)

1. Scheme: Marketing, Storage and Warehousing Programme, Launch Year: Ongoing, Key Details: Cold storage, warehousing and market linkage infrastructure for farm produce, Coverage: Statewide, Latest Budget: ₹164.31 Cr

Rural Development Department (LSGD)

1. Scheme: Kudumbashree, incl. Kerala Chicken project, Launch Year: 1998, Key Details: Women’s poverty eradication, microfinance and livelihood network, Coverage: About 45 lakh women members statewide, Latest Budget: ₹275 Cr
2. Scheme: EPEP 2.0 : Extreme Poverty Eradication Project, Phase 2, Launch Year: 2021, Phase 2 continues, Key Details: Gap funding to close remaining extreme poverty cases identified in Phase 1 survey, Coverage: Extreme-poor households identified statewide, Latest Budget: ₹2 Cr
3. Scheme: KILA : Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Launch Year: 1990, Key Details: Training of local self-government elected representatives and officials, Coverage: All 941 gram panchayats, 152 blocks, 87 municipalities, 6 corporations, Latest Budget: ₹32.5 Cr
4. Scheme: National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), state share, Launch Year: 2011, Key Details: Rural self-help group and livelihood promotion, state share of centrally sponsored scheme, Coverage: Rural SHG members statewide, Latest Budget: ₹99.90 Cr
5. Scheme: National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and DAY-NULM Self-Employment component, Launch Year: 2014, Key Details: Urban poverty alleviation and skill-linked self-employment, Coverage: Urban poor statewide, Latest Budget: ₹39 Cr
6. Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Rural and Urban, integrated with LIFE, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Central housing scheme converged with the state’s LIFE Mission, Coverage: Eligible houseless families statewide, Latest Budget: ₹110.01 Cr
7. Scheme: PMGSY : Rural Roads, Launch Year: 2000, Key Details: Connectivity roads to unconnected rural habitations, Coverage: Rural habitations statewide, Latest Budget: ₹95 Cr
8. Scheme: Kasaragod Development Package, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Special district development package addressing endosulfan-affected and backward areas, Coverage: Kasaragod district, Latest Budget: ₹80 Cr
9. Scheme: Idukki Development Package, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Special district development package for the high-range district, Coverage: Idukki district, Latest Budget: ₹80 Cr
10. Scheme: Second Kuttanad Package, Launch Year: 2008, second phase, Key Details: Livelihood and infrastructure package for the below-sea-level Kuttanad wetland region, Coverage: Kuttanad belt, Alappuzha and Kottayam, Latest Budget: ₹75 Cr
11. Scheme: Wayanad Development Package, Launch Year: 2024, post-landslide expansion, Key Details: Rehabilitation and development package post the 2024 Wayanad landslide, Coverage: Wayanad district, Latest Budget: ₹80 Cr

Local Self Government Department : Housing and Urban

1. Scheme: LIFE Mission : Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Integrated housing scheme converging central and state programmes for the houseless, Coverage: All local self government institutions statewide, Latest Budget: ₹1,497.26 Cr
2. Scheme: Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme, Launch Year: 2010, Key Details: Guaranteed wage employment for urban poor households, urban counterpart to MGNREGA, Coverage: Municipalities and municipal corporations, Latest Budget: ₹200 Cr
3. Scheme: Solid Waste Management Programme, Urban and Rural, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Decentralised waste processing infrastructure across local bodies, Coverage: All local self government institutions, Latest Budget: ₹537.48 Cr
4. Scheme: Kerala Solid Waste Management Project, Launch Year: 2019, externally aided, Key Details: World Bank supported solid waste management infrastructure project, Coverage: Selected urban local bodies, Latest Budget: ₹240 Cr
5. Scheme: AMRUT 2.0, state share, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Urban water supply and sewerage infrastructure under the central AMRUT 2.0 mission, Coverage: AMRUT-notified towns statewide, Latest Budget: ₹299.62 Cr

Co-operation Department

1. Scheme: Co-Op Care : Geriatric and Palliative Care Centres, Launch Year: 2022, Key Details: Co-operative sector run elderly and palliative care centres, Coverage: Elderly and terminally ill patients statewide, Latest Budget: ₹21.40 Cr
2. Scheme: CITA : Co-operative Initiative in Technology-driven Agriculture, incl. Plus One coconut project, Launch Year: 2025, new, Key Details: Technology-driven farming push through primary co-operative societies, Coverage: Primary agricultural credit societies statewide, Latest Budget: ₹35 Cr
3. Scheme: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies Support Schemes, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Capacity and credit support to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Coverage: PACS network statewide, Latest Budget: ₹15.95 Cr

Water Resources Department

1. Scheme: Kuttanad Flood Control Project, Launch Year: 2008, Key Details: Flood mitigation, drainage and bund strengthening in the Kuttanad wetland, Coverage: Kuttanad belt, Alappuzha and Kottayam, Latest Budget: ₹60.50 Cr
2. Scheme: Idamalayar Irrigation Project, Launch Year: 1980s, ongoing works, Key Details: Irrigation infrastructure for the Idamalayar command area, Coverage: Ernakulam district command area, Latest Budget: ₹32 Cr
3. Scheme: Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), Phase 2, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: World Bank aided dam safety rehabilitation programme, Coverage: Ageing dams statewide, Latest Budget: ₹16 Cr
4. Scheme: NABARD-RIDF Infrastructure for Kuttanad, Launch Year: 2026-27, new tranche, Key Details: NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund supported works for Kuttanad, Coverage: Kuttanad belt, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr

Power Department

1. Scheme: KSEB Distribution and Generation Projects, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Grid strengthening, substation and generation asset upgrade, Coverage: Statewide power consumers, Latest Budget: ₹1,238.80 Cr
2. Scheme: Externally Aided Energy Projects : Energy Efficiency Indian Grid and Green Energy Corridor 2, Launch Year: 2021 onward, Key Details: Grid modernisation and renewable energy evacuation infrastructure, Coverage: Statewide grid network, Latest Budget: ₹150 Cr
3. Scheme: ANERT : Renewable Energy Promotion, Launch Year: 1986, Key Details: Solar and renewable energy promotion and subsidy administration, Coverage: Households and institutions statewide, Latest Budget: ₹53.18 Cr
4. Scheme: Green Hydrogen Projects, Launch Year: 2023, Key Details: Pilot green hydrogen production and application projects, Coverage: Selected industrial clusters, Latest Budget: ₹7.18 Cr

Industries and MSME Department

1. Scheme: Mission 1000 : Micro to Small, Small to Medium Enterprise Upgradation, Launch Year: 2025, new, Key Details: Support for MSME units to graduate to the next investment category, Coverage: MSME units statewide, Latest Budget: ₹35 Cr
2. Scheme: Mission 1,00,000 : Nano and Micro Enterprise Upgrade, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Support for nano and micro enterprises to formalise and scale up, Coverage: Nano and micro enterprises statewide, Latest Budget: ₹4 Cr
3. Scheme: Entrepreneur Support Scheme (ESS), Launch Year: 2015, Key Details: Capital and interest subsidy for new micro, small and medium enterprises, Coverage: New MSME units statewide, Latest Budget: ₹110 Cr
4. Scheme: Vizhinjam Industrial and Logistics Infrastructure, incl. KINFRA ₹1,000 Cr investment plan, Launch Year: 2015, port ops from 2024, Key Details: Industrial and logistics ecosystem around Vizhinjam International Seaport, Coverage: Thiruvananthapuram region, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr
5. Scheme: Comprehensive Economic Restructuring Plan : PSU Revamp, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Turnaround and restructuring plan for loss-making state public sector undertakings, Coverage: State PSUs statewide, Latest Budget: ₹294.60 Cr
6. Scheme: Kerala Paper Products Ltd Modernisation, Launch Year: 2026-27, new project, Key Details: Modernisation of the state paper mill, state share of a ₹741 Cr project, Coverage: Kozhikode district, Latest Budget: ₹175 Cr
7. Scheme: Handloom and Powerloom Sector Support, Launch Year: Ongoing, Key Details: Wage support, modernisation and marketing assistance for handloom and powerloom weavers, Coverage: Weaver co-operatives, incl. Kannur, Kasaragod, Latest Budget: ₹59 Cr
8. Scheme: Cashew Sector Support, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Wage and raw material support for the cashew processing industry, Coverage: Cashew workers, mainly Kollam district, Latest Budget: ₹56 Cr
9. Scheme: Coir Sector Support, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Modernisation, wage support and marketing assistance for the coir industry, Coverage: Coir workers, mainly Alappuzha belt, Latest Budget: ₹110.64 Cr

Information Technology Department

1. Scheme: K-FON : Kerala Fibre Optic Network, incl. new Tribal Connectivity component, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Free internet connectivity to BPL households and government offices, e-governance backbone, Coverage: Government offices and BPL households statewide, Latest Budget: ₹112.44 Cr
2. Scheme: Kerala State IT Mission, Launch Year: 1999, Key Details: Nodal agency for state e-governance projects and IT infrastructure, Coverage: Statewide e-governance services, Latest Budget: ₹143.28 Cr
3. Scheme: Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM), incl. 3 new schemes, Launch Year: 2015 (rebranded from Technopark TBI), Key Details: Start-up incubation, funding access and entrepreneurship support, Coverage: Registered start-ups statewide, Latest Budget: ₹99.52 Cr
4. Scheme: Fund of Fund : Venture Capital Access Scheme, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: State-backed fund-of-funds to improve venture capital access for start-ups, Coverage: Kerala-based start-ups, Latest Budget: ₹13 Cr
5. Scheme: India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG), state share, Launch Year: 2022, Key Details: Applied graphene research centre, state share against central sanction of ₹86.40 Cr, Coverage: Research institutions, Kochi, Latest Budget: ₹6.50 Cr
6. Scheme: Graphene Aurora : Digital University and IGEIC, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Graphene application research collaboration with Digital University Kerala, Coverage: Digital University campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Latest Budget: ₹3.80 Cr
7. Scheme: K-SPACE : Kerala Space Park, Launch Year: 2022, Key Details: Space, aerospace and defence technology industrial park, Coverage: Thiruvananthapuram aerospace cluster, Latest Budget: ₹57.50 Cr
8. Scheme: Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, incl. Corporate Acceleration and Scale-up, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Entrepreneurship training and scale-up support for young founders, Coverage: Youth entrepreneurs statewide, Latest Budget: ₹70.52 Cr
9. Scheme: New IT Policy Umbrella : AI Mission, SEMICON Kerala, Emerging Tech Mission, Safe Tech, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: New policy umbrella for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and emerging technology, Coverage: IT and electronics sector statewide, Latest Budget: ₹22 Cr

Public Works Department

1. Scheme: Roads and Bridges Maintenance and Construction, Launch Year: 1956, Key Details: State highway, major district road and bridge construction and upkeep, Coverage: Statewide road network, Latest Budget: ₹1,182.43 Cr
2. Scheme: Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), Phase 2, Launch Year: 1998, current phase ongoing, Key Details: World Bank aided state road network upgrade, Coverage: State highway network, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr
3. Scheme: Kattappana-Theni Tunnel Road, Launch Year: 2026-27, feasibility stage, Key Details: Feasibility study for a tunnel road linking Idukki to Tamil Nadu, Coverage: Idukki district, Latest Budget: ₹10 Cr

Transport Department

1. Scheme: KSRTC Financial Support and Road Transport Sector Programmes, Launch Year: 1965, Key Details: Operational support and fleet modernisation for the state road transport corporation, Coverage: Statewide bus network, Latest Budget: ₹228.10 Cr
2. Scheme: Inland Water Transport, incl. West Coast Canal, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Waterway infrastructure and West Coast Canal navigability improvement, Coverage: Backwater and canal network, mainly Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kollam, Latest Budget: ₹138.14 Cr
3. Scheme: Cochin Metro Phase-II, externally aided component, Launch Year: 2017 (Phase 1) / 2024 (Phase 2 approved), Key Details: Metro rail extension in the Kochi metropolitan region, Coverage: Kochi metropolitan region, Latest Budget: ₹79.03 Cr
4. Scheme: Sabarimala Greenfield Airport Project, Launch Year: 2022, Key Details: Feasibility and preparatory works for a greenfield airport serving Sabarimala pilgrims, Coverage: Pathanamthitta region, Latest Budget: ₹4.96 Cr

Tourism Department

1. Scheme: New Tourism Circuits Scheme, incl. Blue-Green Integrated Circuit, Dharmadom, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Development of new integrated tourism circuits, Coverage: Selected districts, incl. Kannur, Latest Budget: ₹2 Cr
2. Scheme: Sabarimala Master Plan, Launch Year: 2019, Key Details: Pilgrim infrastructure and facility upgrade at the Sabarimala shrine complex, Coverage: Sabarimala pilgrimage corridor, Latest Budget: ₹30 Cr
3. Scheme: Clean Pampa Project, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: River cleaning and sanitation project for the Pampa river during pilgrimage season, Coverage: Pampa river basin, Latest Budget: ₹30 Cr

General Education Department

1. Scheme: School Education Support Programme, Launch Year: Ongoing, Key Details: General infrastructure and support activities across government and aided schools, Coverage: Government and aided schools statewide, Latest Budget: ₹1,128.71 Cr
2. Scheme: Comprehensive Quality Education Scheme, Launch Year: 2016, under Public Education Rejuvenation Mission, Key Details: Quality improvement in government and aided schools, Coverage: Government and aided schools statewide, Latest Budget: ₹56.25 Cr
3. Scheme: Free School Uniform Distribution, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Free uniform distribution to school students, Coverage: Government and aided school students statewide, Latest Budget: ₹150.34 Cr
4. Scheme: Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, state share, plus Project Directorate, Launch Year: 2018, Key Details: Centrally sponsored integrated school education scheme, state share and project management, Coverage: Government and aided schools statewide, Latest Budget: ₹55 Cr + ₹23 Cr
5. Scheme: KITE : IT-based School Education, Launch Year: 2017 (rebranded from IT@School), Key Details: IT infrastructure, hi-tech classrooms and digital content for schools, Coverage: Government and aided schools statewide, Latest Budget: ₹38.5 Cr

Higher Education Department

1. Scheme: Higher Education Commission Recommendations and FYUGP Implementation, Launch Year: 2023, Key Details: Implementation of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme and higher education reforms, Coverage: Universities and affiliated colleges statewide, Latest Budget: ₹851.46 Cr
2. Scheme: University Strengthening Programme, Launch Year: Ongoing, Key Details: Infrastructure and faculty strengthening across state universities, Coverage: State universities statewide, Latest Budget: ₹259.09 Cr
3. Scheme: Public Hostel Scheme for Government College Students, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, phase-1 in 3 districts, Key Details: New hostel facilities for students in government colleges, Coverage: Government college students, phase-1 in 3 districts, Latest Budget: ₹10 Cr
4. Scheme: Scholarships and Fellowships, incl. Chief Minister’s Excellence Award, State Means-cum-Merit, Kerala Research Fellowship, Launch Year: 2016, various years, Key Details: Merit and means based scholarships and research fellowships, Coverage: Students and researchers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹38.76 Cr

Technical Education and Skill Development Department

1. Scheme: ASAP : Kerala State Skill Development Project, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Additional skill acquisition programme for higher secondary and college students, Coverage: Students statewide, Latest Budget: ₹35.30 Cr

Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Department

1. Scheme: Diamond Jubilee Fellowship for Artists, Launch Year: 2016, on the state’s diamond jubilee, Key Details: Financial assistance and pension for veteran and needy artists, Coverage: Artists and cultural practitioners statewide, Latest Budget: ₹13 Cr

Health and Family Welfare Department

1. Scheme: Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), Launch Year: 2019, Key Details: Cashless health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh a year for poor and vulnerable families, integrated with Ayushman Bharat, Coverage: 42.09 lakh poor families, Latest Budget: ₹900 Cr
2. Scheme: Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Programme, incl. MCC, RCC, CCRC and medical colleges, Launch Year: Ongoing, Key Details: Cancer detection and treatment infrastructure across state cancer centres, Coverage: Cancer patients statewide, Latest Budget: ₹203 Cr
3. Scheme: Pneumococcal Vaccination Drive, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Vaccination drive for BPL elderly against pneumococcal disease, Coverage: BPL elderly statewide, Latest Budget: ₹50 Cr
4. Scheme: Taluk-level Dialysis Units, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, Key Details: Dialysis facility expansion aiming to cover all taluks, Coverage: Kidney patients statewide, all taluks, Latest Budget: ₹14.20 Cr
5. Scheme: Aardram Mission, Phase 2 : Family Health Centres, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Upgrade of primary health centres into Family Health Centres, Coverage: Primary healthcare users statewide, Latest Budget: ₹70.92 Cr
6. Scheme: National Health Mission, state share, Launch Year: 2013 (NRHM renamed), Key Details: State share of the centrally sponsored public health mission, Coverage: Public health system statewide, Latest Budget: ₹465.20 Cr
7. Scheme: New and Strengthened Medical Colleges : Idukki, Konni, Wayanad, Kasaragod, Launch Year: 2013 onward, Key Details: Construction and strengthening of government medical colleges in underserved districts, Coverage: Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, Kasaragod districts, Latest Budget: ₹57.09 Cr
8. Scheme: Kerala Emergency Medical Services : Kanivu / 108 Ambulance, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Free emergency ambulance service, Coverage: Statewide, Latest Budget: ₹38 Cr

Water Supply Department (Kerala Water Authority)

1. Scheme: Rural Drinking Water Supply : Jal Jeevan Mission, Launch Year: 2019, Key Details: Piped household drinking water connections under the central mission, Coverage: Rural households statewide, Latest Budget: ₹659.57 Cr

Housing Department

1. Scheme: EWS/LIG House Construction Subsidy, Launch Year: 1972, Key Details: Construction subsidy for economically weaker and lower income group housing, outside LIFE Mission, Coverage: EWS and LIG households statewide, Latest Budget: ₹33.19 Cr
2. Scheme: M N Lakshamveedu Scheme, Launch Year: Named after 1970s Lakshamveedu Colony scheme, revived, Key Details: Renovation grants for old and dilapidated houses built under earlier housing schemes, Coverage: Beneficiaries of earlier housing colonies, Latest Budget: ₹10 Cr
3. Scheme: Grihasree Housing Scheme, Launch Year: 2010, Key Details: Housing assistance for economically weaker sections, Coverage: EWS households statewide, Latest Budget: ₹24 Cr
4. Scheme: Kerala Nirmiti Kendra, Launch Year: 1990s, Key Details: Low-cost and disaster-resilient construction technology promotion, Coverage: Statewide construction sector, Latest Budget: ₹13.25 Cr

Labour Department

1. Scheme: Traditional Sector Welfare Fund Support : beedi, khadi, coir, cashew, fishing, Launch Year: 1970s, Key Details: Monthly welfare payment of Rs 1,250 to traditional sector workers through welfare fund boards, Coverage: Traditional sector workers statewide, Latest Budget: ₹107 Cr
2. Scheme: KASE : Kerala Academy for Skill Excellence, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Industry-aligned advanced skill training academy, Coverage: Youth statewide, Latest Budget: ₹36 Cr
3. Scheme: ITI Modernisation and New ITIs, Launch Year: 1950, Key Details: Upgrade of Industrial Training Institutes and setting up new ones, Coverage: ITI trainees statewide, Latest Budget: ₹44.60 Cr
4. Scheme: Sharanya Scheme, Launch Year: 2020, Key Details: Self-employment support for vulnerable and disadvantaged women through financial assistance to start small-scale income-generating activities., Coverage: Eligible unemployed women from vulnerable groups, Latest Budget: ₹17.50 Cr

NORKA Department (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs)

1. Scheme: NORKA ROOTS : Returnee Rehabilitation, Launch Year: 1996 (NORKA), 2002 (ROOTS), Key Details: Rehabilitation, skilling and reintegration support for returning emigrants, Coverage: Returned emigrants statewide, Latest Budget: ₹65 Cr
2. Scheme: Santwana Project, Launch Year: 2020, Key Details: Social security and welfare support for distressed expatriates and their families, Coverage: Expatriate families statewide, Latest Budget: ₹35 Cr

Social Justice Department

1. Scheme: Aswasakiranam : Caregiver Assistance, Launch Year: 2015, allocation doubled in 2026-27, Key Details: Monthly caregiver allowance for families of the bedridden and severely disabled, Coverage: Bedridden and severely disabled persons statewide, Latest Budget: ₹100 Cr
2. Scheme: NISH : National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Launch Year: 1969, Key Details: Specialised education and rehabilitation for the speech and hearing impaired, Coverage: Speech and hearing impaired persons statewide, Latest Budget: ₹27.50 Cr
3. Scheme: Vayomithram : Elderly Mobile Clinic Scheme, Launch Year: 2009, Key Details: Mobile medical units and support services for elderly citizens, Coverage: Elderly citizens statewide, Latest Budget: ₹27.50 Cr
4. Scheme: Vayojana Commission, Launch Year: 2026-27, new, first of its kind in India, Key Details: Dedicated commission for elderly welfare policy and grievance redressal, Coverage: Elderly citizens statewide, Latest Budget: ₹0.50 Cr

Women and Child Development Department

1. Scheme: Egg and Milk Supplementation in Anganwadis, Launch Year: 2012, Key Details: Nutrition supplementation for children in the ICDS anganwadi network, Coverage: Anganwadi children statewide, Latest Budget: ₹80.90 Cr
2. Scheme: Nirbhaya Policy, DHEERA Project and One Stop Centres, Launch Year: 2012 (Nirbhaya) / 2019 (DHEERA), Key Details: Women’s safety policy framework, self-defence training and crisis support centres, Coverage: Women and girls statewide, Latest Budget: ₹13 Cr

Home Department (Jails)

1. Scheme: Jails Modernisation, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: Infrastructure upgrade and inmate welfare programmes in state prisons, Coverage: State prisons statewide, Latest Budget: ₹47 Cr

Scheduled Castes Development Department

1. Scheme: Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan, Launch Year: Annual, constitutionally mandated, Key Details: Education, housing and livelihood support for SC households across departments, Coverage: SC population statewide, 9.81 percent of plan outlay, Latest Budget: ₹3,507 Cr

Scheduled Tribes Development Department

1. Scheme: Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan (TSP), Launch Year: Annual, constitutionally mandated, Key Details: Education, housing and livelihood support for ST households across departments, Coverage: ST population statewide, Latest Budget: ₹1,012 Cr
2. Scheme: ST LIFE Mission Housing, Launch Year: 2016, ST component, Key Details: Housing for landless and houseless Scheduled Tribe families, Coverage: ST hamlets statewide, Latest Budget: ₹140 Cr
3. Scheme: SAFE Scheme : ST House Maintenance and Smart Study Rooms, Launch Year: 2020s, Key Details: House repair grants and smart study room facilities for ST students, Coverage: ST hamlets, incl. Wayanad, Attappady, Idukki, Latest Budget: ₹80 Cr
4. Scheme: Vidya Vahini Scheme, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Education support and transport for ST students, Coverage: ST students statewide, Latest Budget: ₹30 Cr
5. Scheme: Kerala Tribal Plus, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: 100 additional employment guarantee days beyond MGNREGA for ST households, Coverage: ST households statewide, Latest Budget: ₹49.82 Cr

Backward Classes Development Department

1. Scheme: OBC Educational Scholarships, incl. PM YASASVI and KEDAVILAKKU, Launch Year: 2021 (PM YASASVI), Key Details: Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for OBC students, Coverage: OBC students statewide, Latest Budget: ₹130.78 Cr

Minority Welfare Department

1. Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, state share, Launch Year: 2018 (renamed from MSDP), Key Details: Area development programme for minority-concentrated areas, Coverage: Minority-concentrated blocks and towns, Latest Budget: ₹16 Cr
2. Scheme: Margadeepam Pre-Matric Scholarship, Launch Year: 2015, Key Details: Pre-matric scholarship for minority community students, Coverage: Minority students statewide, Latest Budget: ₹22 Cr

Forward Communities Welfare Department

1. Scheme: Welfare of Forward Communities, via the Forward Communities Welfare Corporation, Launch Year: 2010, Key Details: Educational loans and welfare assistance for economically weaker forward community members, Coverage: Economically weaker forward community households, Latest Budget: ₹39.77 Cr

Home Department (Police)

1. Scheme: Police Modernisation : New Technology and Automation Schemes, Launch Year: 2016, Key Details: CCTV, automation and technology upgrade for police stations, Coverage: Police stations statewide, Latest Budget: ₹185.80 Cr

Survey and Land Records Department

1. Scheme: Ente Bhoomi : Digital Land Survey, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Satellite and drone based resurvey to digitise land records, Coverage: All 14 districts, Latest Budget: ₹26.80 Cr

Registration Department

1. Scheme: Registration Department Modernisation, Launch Year: 2019, Key Details: Digitisation of property registration and stamp duty collection, Coverage: Sub-registrar offices statewide, Latest Budget: ₹32 Cr

Revenue Department

1. Scheme: Revenue Department Modernisation, incl. Smart Village Offices, Launch Year: 2021, Key Details: Digitisation and citizen-service upgrade of village and taluk offices, Coverage: Village and taluk offices statewide, Latest Budget: ₹95.85 Cr

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department

1. Scheme: Public Distribution System and Market Intervention, Launch Year: Ongoin since state formation, Key Details: Subsidised ration through the PDS network and price stabilisation via Maveli stores, Coverage: Ration card holders statewide, Latest Budget: 2,333.64 Cr
2. Scheme: Supplyco Modernisation, Launch Year: 1974 (Supplyco est.), Key Details: Modernisation of the state civil supplies corporation’s retail and logistics network, Coverage: Maveli stores and PDS outlets statewide, Latest Budget: 17.80 Cr

Finance Department

1. Scheme: KIIFB – Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, Launch Year: Act 1999, restructured 2016, Key Details: Off-budget financing mechanism for infrastructure projects in roads, health, education, industry and IT, Coverage: Projects across all 14 districts, Cumulative Approved Projects: 96,554.53 Cr (1,216 projects)
2. Scheme: K-DISC / Vignjana Keralam : Knowledge Economy Mission, Launch Year: 2017, Key Details: Knowledge economy and innovation ecosystem mission, Coverage: Statewide knowledge economy initiatives, Latest Budget: ₹60 Cr
3. Scheme: GST Department : Compliance and Facilitation, Launch Year: 2017 (GST rollout), Key Details: Tax compliance infrastructure and trader facilitation for GST administration, Coverage: Registered traders statewide, Latest Budget: ₹26.15 Cr
4. Scheme: GIFT : Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, Launch Year: 1993, Key Details: Public finance research and training institute funding, Coverage: State finance and tax officials, Latest Budget: ₹6.50 Cr.

Budget 2026 Analysis

Kerala’s 2026-27 Budget seeks to sustain its broad welfare commitments while creating greater room for employment, investment and economic modernisation. With an annual plan outlay of ₹35,750 crore, it places stronger emphasis on MSMEs, industrial development, start-ups, digital infrastructure, skills and emerging technologies, while continuing substantial support for health, housing and social protection.

The Budget also introduces targeted initiatives such as the ₹50 crore pneumococcal vaccination drive for BPL elderly people, ₹14.20 crore for taluk-level dialysis units, a ₹10 crore Public Hostel Scheme for government college students, Mission 1,00,000 for nano and micro enterprises, and the ₹50 lakh Vayojana Commission for elderly welfare. New components under K-FON, including tribal connectivity, and additional interventions through the Kerala Startup Mission further broaden the focus towards inclusion, entrepreneurship and technology.

Rather than signalling a complete shift in policy, these measures suggest an attempt to respond to emerging needs while strengthening Kerala’s existing development model. The proposed Finance Tower in Kochi and investments in technology and industrial infrastructure also point towards greater institutional and economic capacity. However, these commitments need to be viewed against a projected revenue deficit of ₹34,586.66 crore in 2026–27. The key test for the Budget will therefore be implementation: whether new investments can generate employment and economic activity, while targeted welfare measures translate into accessible services and tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Conclusion

Kerala’s 2026–27 approach is less about replacing its welfare model than adapting it to new economic and social pressures. The 127 schemes identified across 38 departmental heads show a broad policy spread, from agriculture and infrastructure to health, social justice, technology and employment. Large commitments to areas such as SC/ST development, health, housing and social protection indicate continuity, while enterprise promotion, digital infrastructure and emerging-technology initiatives point towards a more growth-oriented policy agenda.

The central challenge is therefore not the absence of programmes, but the ability to sustain and deliver them effectively within fiscal limits. Kerala’s decentralised institutions and established delivery networks provide a strong foundation, but rising expenditure and the revenue deficit make efficient implementation increasingly important. The success of the 2026–27 Budget will ultimately depend on whether these investments translate into better services, stronger livelihoods and greater economic capacity rather than simply expanding the number of government programmes.

References

Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2021). Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the economic sector for the year ended March 2019 (Report No. 4 of 2021). Government of Kerala.
https://cag.gov.in

Finance Department, Government of Kerala. (2026). Annual financial statement 2026-27. Government of Kerala.
https://budget.kerala.gov.in/keralabudgetdoc/2026_27/AFS.pdf

Finance Department, Government of Kerala. (2026). Budget speech 2026-27 [Speech by K. N. Balagopal, Finance Minister]. Government of Kerala.
https://budget.kerala.gov.in/keralabudgetdoc/2026_27/dbe/BudgetSpeech_English.pdf

Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board. (n.d.). KIIFB: Project portfolio and financing. Government of Kerala. 
https://kiifb.org

Kerala State IT Mission. (n.d.). K-FON: Kerala Fibre Optic Network. Government of Kerala.
https://itmission.kerala.gov.in

Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission. (n.d.). About Kudumbashree. Government of Kerala.
https://kudumbashree.org

Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. (n.d.). LSGD Kerala: Local self government institutions. Government of Kerala. 
https://lsgkerala.gov.in

Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department. (n.d.). NORKA ROOTS: Returnee rehabilitation. Government of Kerala. 
https://norka.gov.in

State Health Agency, Kerala. (n.d.). Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP). Government of Kerala. 
https://norka.gov.in

About the Contributor

Pragya Raghav is pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in History at Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi, with a minor in Political Science. She is passionate about public policy, international relations, governance, climate policy, and sustainable development. Through research and policy analysis, she aims to contribute to evidence-based policymaking and create meaningful social impact.

Acknowledgement

I would like to sincerely thank IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) for giving me the opportunity to work on this policy update and explore Kerala’s welfare and development landscape through its major schemes, programmes and Budget 2026–27 priorities. This research provided me with valuable insights into the state’s approaches to social welfare, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, livelihoods and inclusive development. I am grateful to Arjun Sir and the entire IMPRI team for their guidance, support and valuable feedback throughout the process. I would also like to thank my fellow interns and peers for their insightful discussions, suggestions and encouragement, which made this research experience both meaningful and enriching.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) or any other affiliated organisation.

Name of the reviewers

Vishal Kumar and Gowri Kodali 

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