Jaipur: The Rajasthan Budget 2026–27, presented by finance minister Diya Kumari, reflects a significant imprint of recent interventions and observations by the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court. Several allocations and policy announcements indicate that sustained judicial scrutiny over the past year has influenced the state’s fiscal priorities.On Thursday TOI surfed various court orders to check the allocations to different sectors. A review of budget provisions reveals that issues repeatedly flagged by the courts have found direct reflection in spending proposals and policy initiatives announced Wednesday. Over the past several months, the Rajasthan High Court took serious note of crumbling govt school infrastructure, recurring paper leaks in recruitment examinations, rising student suicides, poor mental healthcare facilities, increasing road accidents, illegal mining in the Aravalli region and gaps in cybercrime control mechanisms. In multiple cases, the court issued strict directions and sought personal accountability from senior officials. In early Feb, the high court expressed displeasure over the state govt’s delayed suo motu cognisance of the poor condition of govt schools, observing that action was taken only after the Jhalawar school incident. Against this backdrop, one of the most prominent provisions in the budget is an allocation of nearly Rs1,000 crore for repair and upgradation of govt school infrastructure. The court had repeatedly highlighted unsafe buildings, shortage of classrooms, lack of drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities. Judicial criticism over repeated examination paper leaks has also shaped budget proposals. Following controversies surrounding major recruitment exams, including the sub-inspector recruitment 2021, the state announced the formation of a Rajasthan Testing Agency on the lines of the National Testing Agency. The high court had stressed the need for transparency, accountability and technological safeguards in recruitment processes to restore public confidence. Mental health emerged as another focus area influenced by court observations. Responding to concerns raised by the Supreme Court and the high court over rising suicides in coaching hubs, particularly Kota, and poor treatment of persons with mental illness, the budget earmarks funds for expanding counselling services, strengthening mental health institutions and launching awareness programmes, including counselling centres at district headquarters. Judicial intervention is also reflected in road safety measures, with a proposal to install 2,000 CCTV cameras across the state to reduce accidents—an area where the High Court had sought detailed action plans. Environmental protection has been addressed through an allocation of Rs130 crore for conservation of the Aravalli range, along with funds to strengthen court infrastructure and expand e-court facilities.
