<h1>Child rights activists concerned over reduced funding for key welfare schemes despite budget increase for children.</h1> Child rights activists have expressed mixed reactions to the 2025-26 budget, which increased overall allocations for children but reduced funding for key welfare and education schemes. The total allocation rose to Rs 1,16,132.5 crore, but the proportion of child-focused expenditure in the Union Budget increased only slightly to 2.29%. Concerns were raised over cuts to programs like Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and scholarships for minority and tribal students. While some initiatives received boosts, such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and PM SHRI Schools, activists emphasized the need for more robust support for child protection and welfare programs.