4.78% more funds for Delhi Police in Union Budget 2026-27, eye on modernisation

The higher allocation is aimed at meeting routine expenditure while also supporting modernisation efforts, particularly in traffic management and communication infrastructure, across the National Capital Region (NCR).

2 min readNew DelhiFeb 2, 2026 06:13 AM IST

delhi budget, Budget, budget allocation, Union Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman, budget allocation, Rekha Gupta, delhi news, India news, Indian express, current affairs

A raid was conducted near JPC Hospital in Shastri Park on the night of January 24.

Delhi Police has been allocated Rs 12,846.1 crore in the 2026-27 Union Budget, an increase of 4.78% from the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The higher allocation is aimed at meeting routine expenditure while also supporting modernisation efforts, particularly in traffic management and communication infrastructure, across the National Capital Region (NCR).

For the current financial year 2025-26, the Budget allocated to the force was Rs 12,259.1 crore.

The funds will be used to pay for day-to-day operational costs, salaries, and pensions, as well as for specific schemes such as the development of a model traffic management system and the strengthening of an integrated communication network.

Officers said investments are also planned for upgrading technological capabilities, installing traffic signals at critical junctions, and training personnel to handle emerging challenges in urban policing.

Delhi Police is tasked with maintaining law and order in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, a responsibility that includes traffic regulation, crime control, crowd management, counter-terror operations, and ensuring security during major public events.

With Delhi witnessing steady population growth, rising number of vehicles, and increasing interconnectivity with surrounding NCR cities, the force has repeatedly flagged the need for improved infrastructure and technology-driven policing.

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The 2026-27 allocation places particular emphasis on traffic management, an area that has emerged as a critical concern amid mounting congestion, frequent accidents, and the expansion of road networks in Delhi-NCR.

The proposed model traffic system is expected to focus on better signal coordination, real-time monitoring, and improved enforcement mechanisms. Strengthening communication networks is also seen as crucial for enhancing coordination between police units and with other law enforcement agencies operating in the region.

In recent years, budgetary allocations to the Delhi Police have shown a pattern of incremental increases rather than sharp jumps.

Funds worth Rs 12,259.1 crore allotted to the force in 2025-26 followed an allocation of around Rs 11,300 crore in 2024-25 and approximately

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Rs 10,800 crore in 2023-24, reflecting a steady rise to keep pace with inflation, salary revisions, and expanding operational demands.

Sakshi Chand

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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