Gender Budgeting and Health Spending Efficiency in Indian States: A Staggered Difference-in-Differences Analysis

Gender-responsive budgeting is an approach that integrates gender considerations into all stages of the budgetary process, aiming to address gender disparities and promote gender equality. This study investigates the impact of gender-responsive budgeting on fiscal efficiency in the context of Indian states. Leveraging a Staggered Difference-inDifferences (DiD) framework as the primary empirical methodology, with Entropy Balancing employed as a robustness test, we assess the consequences of gender-responsive budget adoption by Indian states. Our analysis reveals a persistent positive effect from this adoption, extending across periods. One key transmission channel emerge as responsible for this sustained positive effect. Adopting gender-responsive budgeting has led to a substantial enhancement in the quality of revenue forecasts. The improved accuracy of revenue projections equips states to make more precise and timely resource allocation decisions, further boosting fiscal efficiency. In summary, this study underscores the enduring positive influence of gender-responsive budgeting, which incorporates gender considerations into fiscal policies, on fiscal efficiency in Indian states. The increased transparency and improved revenue forecasting resulting from gender-responsive budgeting signify its crucial role in fostering equitable resource allocation, ultimately enhancing fiscal efficiency and overall governance