Every time you pay tax, a part of it goes straight to national defence. But how much exactly? In the Union Budget 2025–26, India’s total expenditure is estimated at ₹50.6 lakh crore. Out of this, ₹6,81,210 crore has been allocated to the Defence Ministry — that’s 13.45% of the total Budget, the highest among all ministries.
This money funds our jets, tanks, soldiers, and naval ships. In comparison, Education gets ₹1,28,650 crore (2.54%), and Health receives ₹99,859 crore (1.97%). Now let’s look at where your tax money goes.
In 2025–26, the government expects to collect ₹28.37 lakh crore in net tax receipts. For every ₹1 paid in tax: Defence: 24 paise Interest payments: 18 paise Infrastructure: 7 paise Education: 4 paise Health: 2 paise Others: Remaining 45 paise
So, roughly ₹13 per day of what you pay in taxes goes towards national defence. To put it in perspective: ₹40 might go on a mobile recharge ₹25 on chai and samosa And ₹13 helps defend the nation Now scale that — ₹13 × 145 crore Indians = big strength. That’s the power of tiny coins. They build tanks. Power satellites. Guard our borders.
"Defence Exports will increase after Op Sindoor"
DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said he was hopeful that defence exports will increase after Operation Sindoor as indigenous military equipment has got "war-tested".
Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the CII Summit here, he also spoke about the recent clearance given by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the "execution model" to design and produce India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet -- the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).
"By 2034, the development work should be completed, and after that production should start from 2035. The first prototype flight will be ready by end of 2029," he said.
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