What is the public capital expenditure proposed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for FY 2026-27 in Union Budget 2026-27?

Explanation

The correct answer is (c) ₹12.2 lakh crore Explanation: . Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a public capital expenditure (capex) of ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY 2026-27. . This marks an increase from ₹11.2 lakh crore allocated in FY 2025-26. . The enhanced capex aims to sustain the infrastructure growth momentum. . It falls under the fourth key growth area focusing on infrastructure development. . Major projects supported include seven high-speed rail corridors and the Dankuni–Surat dedicated freight corridor. Information Booster: . Public capex has increased significantly from about ₹2 lakh crore in 2014-15. . Higher capital spending supports development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities, logistics, and connectivity. . The Budget proposes an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to crowd in private investment. . Dedicated REITs are planned for monetisation of CPSE infrastructure assets. . The capex push aligns with fiscal consolidation, targeting a fiscal deficit of about 4.4% of GDP. . The approach supports the medium-term GDP growth projection of around 7.4%.