ISRO vs SC/ST Budget Growth
A focused look at how two public expenditure heads diverged over a 12-year window, using the same units for a direct read.
Headline takeaway
SC/ST outpaced ISRO by 2.42x in growth multiple.
ISRO Growth
27.3%
1.27x since 2014
SC/ST Growth
208.2%
3.08x since 2014
2014
$2014 dollars, as provided
ISRO
$1.10B
SC/ST
$11.65B
2026
$2026 dollars, as provided
ISRO
$1.40B
SC/ST
$35.90B
CAGR: 2.0% per year
CAGR: 9.8% per year
Gap widened by 15.05x over 12 years.
The SC/ST allocation grew more than three times over the period, while ISRO grew just over a quarter. This shifts the balance of these two heads substantially in favor of social welfare allocation.
In 2014, SC/ST spending was roughly 10.59x the size of ISRO. By 2026, the ratio expands to 25.64x.
The growth gap is not just percentage-based: the absolute increase in SC/ST allocation is$24.25B versus $0.30B for ISRO.
Budget prioritization shifted visibly
The SC/ST budget accelerated both in percent and absolute terms, emphasizing redistribution and social programs.
ISRO growth stayed incremental
ISRO saw modest expansion, with funding rising by about 27.3% over the window.
Gap widened substantially
The SC/ST-to-ISRO ratio grew by 15.05x, making the difference more pronounced in 2026.