Government data reveals that the GST Bachat Utsav campaign accounted for over 50% of the total advertising budget for ten key schemes between 2024 and 2026. With ₹27.1 crore directed to this initiative, it outpaced other major programs like the PM Internship Scheme, which received ₹12.6 crore in funding.
Public expenditure data for the fiscal years 2024 to 2026 reveals a strong concentration of advertising funds toward the GST Bachat Utsav campaign. Out of a total budget of ₹54.5 crore earmarked for ten distinct government initiatives, the GST-focused outreach effort alone consumed ₹27.1 crore. This funding was primarily utilized for a 100-day campaign conducted between September and December 2025, which aimed to communicate the benefits of revised GST rate structures directly to consumers.
The distribution of these funds highlights a clear hierarchy in government priority during this period. While the GST Bachat Utsav led the spending, the PM Internship Scheme received the second-highest allocation at ₹12.6 crore for the period spanning October 2024 to March 2026. The PM Vishwakarma Scheme followed with ₹7.4 crore. The data also notes that certain schemes within the tracked group received no advertising budget, suggesting a highly selective strategy for departmental spending.
Print media served as the primary channel for these campaigns, capturing 58.8% of the total expenditure. Electronic media followed, accounting for 19.5% of the spending. Digital and outdoor advertising platforms received smaller portions, at 14.6% and 7.2%, respectively. All disbursements were managed by the Central Bureau of Communication, an arm of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
For investors and observers of economic policy, this spending pattern indicates an effort to influence public perception regarding tax relief measures. By aligning government communication with retail sector activities, the administration sought to ensure that revised GST rates remained visible to the public. As the government continues to manage budget distributions across various welfare and economic initiatives, the shift in publicity spending between tax awareness and direct benefit programs remains an area to track for understanding the government's communication priorities.