₹128,650 Crore Allocated to Education in Budget 2025-26 Marking 6.22 Percent Increase

Budget 2025-26

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the Budget 2025-26, describing it as a significant step toward an inclusive and empowered India, aligning with the vision of a developed nation by 2047. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for prioritizing education, skill development, and research in this year’s budget. The total budget allocation for the Ministry of Education has reached ₹128,650 crore, marking a 6.22% increase over the Budget Estimate (BE) 2024-25. This increased investment aims to strengthen school education, higher education, skill development, and research to enhance India’s human capital.

The Department of School Education & Literacy has received its highest-ever allocation of ₹78,572 crore for FY 2025-26, an increase of ₹5,074 crore (7%) compared to BE 2024-25 and ₹11,000 crore (16.28%) compared to Revised Estimates (RE) 2024-25. Fifty thousand Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) will be established in government schools over the next five years to promote scientific curiosity and innovation. Additionally, all government secondary schools will be provided with broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project within the next three years. A Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme will be introduced to provide digital-form Indian language books, ensuring wider accessibility to regional language education. To preserve India’s rich literary heritage, a Gyan Bharatam Mission will be launched to survey, document, and conserve over one crore manuscripts, and a National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems will be established to facilitate knowledge sharing.

The Department of Higher Education has been allocated ₹50,077.95 crore for FY 2025-26, reflecting an increase of ₹2,458.18 crore (5.16%) from FY 2024-25. A major allocation of ₹20,000 crore has been made to promote private sector-driven research, development, and innovation. To expand infrastructure in higher education, five IITs established after 2014 will receive new facilities to accommodate 6,500 additional students. Under the PM Research Fellowship scheme, 10,000 fellowships will be provided for technological research in IITs and IISc, with enhanced financial support. A Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education will be set up with a total outlay of ₹500 crore to integrate AI-driven solutions into education. Additionally, five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be developed in partnership with global institutions to equip youth with skills for the “Make for India, Make for the World” initiative.

The budget also reflects a significant increase in funding for higher education institutions. Autonomous bodies in higher education received a total allocation of ₹42,732 crore, an increase of 7.42% from ₹39,777.40 crore in 2024-25. The allocation for central universities stands at ₹16,691.31 crore, marking a rise of ₹763.31 crore (4.79%) from ₹15,928 crore. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been allocated ₹3,335.97 crore, reflecting an increase of ₹835.97 crore (33.44%). IITs received a total budget of ₹11,349 crore, an increase of ₹1,024.50 crore (9.92%). NITs saw an increase of 12.85%, with an allocation of ₹5,687.47 crore. Funding for deemed universities has been raised to ₹604 crore, up by ₹8 crore (1.34%). The budget for IIMs has been increased to ₹251.89 crore, marking an 18.70% rise from ₹212.21 crore. IIITs received ₹407 crores, an increase of ₹91.09 crore (28.83%). Grants for the promotion of Indian languages have been allocated ₹347.03 crore, up by ₹36.93 crore (11.91%).

The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has received its highest-ever allocation of ₹9,503 crore, marking an increase of ₹201.17 crore from FY 2024-25. Flagship education schemes have also witnessed an increase in funding. Samagra Shiksha received an additional ₹3,750 crore from BE 2024-25 and ₹4,240 crore (11%) more than RE 2024-25. The PM-POSHAN scheme received ₹32 crore more than BE 2024-25, with an increase of ₹2,500 crore (25%) from RE 2024-25. The PM-SHRI scheme has been allocated ₹1,450 crore more than BE 2024-25 and ₹3,000 crore (66%) more than RE 2024-25.

Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that the Budget 2025-26 is designed to support students at all levels, from early education to higher learning, ensuring that they contribute to India’s vision for 2047. He highlighted the four pillars of the budget—Gareeb (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Naari (women)—which will drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance India’s global education and research ecosystem. With these significant investments, the government aims to build a strong foundation for future generations, ensuring access to quality education, skill development, and world-class research opportunities.

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, outlines significant initiatives to foster innovation, research, and skill development in the education sector. A key highlight is the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years to nurture scientific curiosity among students. 

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The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme aims to provide digital-form Indian language books to enhance accessibility in school and higher education. To strengthen research and technological advancements, ₹20,000 crore has been allocated for private sector-driven Research, Development, and Innovation, while the PM Research Fellowship Scheme will support 10,000 fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc. Additionally, five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be established in collaboration with global partners to equip youth for manufacturing under the “Make for India, Make for the World” initiative.

 Recognizing the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education, the Budget also provides for a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, with a total outlay of ₹500 crore, to drive AI-based learning solutions. These initiatives reaffirm the government’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce and fostering world-class research and education infrastructure.

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