Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan has praised the 2024-25 Budget, calling it a monumental step towards realising India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The budget announcement, which prioritises education, skilling, employment, research, and innovation, was made public by Delhi’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) last evening.
Pradhan expressed deep appreciation for the concerted efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman focused on enhancing the quality of life and economic opportunities for India’s “Garib, Mahila, Yuva, and Annadata.” According to the Education Minister, this budget is “truly a people-oriented, growth-inducing, inclusive, and progressive” step forward.
Emphasising the strategic allocation of funds, Pradhan highlighted the significant ₹1.48 lakh crore earmarked for education, employment, and skilling. This includes a comprehensive Prime Minister’s Package to revolutionise the skilling and apprenticeship ecosystem, provide skill development and internship opportunities to 1 crore youth, and offer employment-linked incentives across various sectors.
Additionally, the budget has allocated funds to facilitate the provision of Model Skill Loans and education loans, which are expected to empower over 25,000 students annually with more accessible financial support for higher education.
Regarding specific allocations, the Department of School Education & Literacy has received its highest budget of ₹73,498 crore for FY 2024-25, marking a 19.56% increase from the previous fiscal year. This includes enhanced allocations for flagship schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM-POSHAN, and PM-SHRI.
The Department of Higher Education also sees a substantial increase, with a total allocation of ₹47,619.77 crore. This includes increases across major educational bodies and schemes, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), alongside the newly announced Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
Pradhan asserted that these “comprehensive and concrete measures” are set to fulfil the aspirations of the Indian youth by significantly enhancing the education landscape, thus ensuring India’s position as a global hub for talent, skills, and innovative solutions.
With this budget, the government aims to bolster socio-economic conditions, fuel green growth, strengthen social justice, improve the business climate, and accelerate economic growth, propelling India towards its goal of being a developed nation by its centenary year of independence.
