Budget Insights 2025-26: Ministry of Education
Union Budget 2025-26: Ministry of Education
The “Budget Insights 2025-26: Ministry of Education” report by Tanya Rana, Avani Kapur, and Laavanya Tamang comprehensively analyses the financial trends and allocations within India’s Ministry of Education for the fiscal year 2025-26. The report highlights several critical issues:
Ministry of Education Budget Insights 2025-26: Foundation by Responsive Governance
Increased Budget Allocation
The Ministry of Education’s budget has been raised to ₹128,650 crore, marking a 6.22 percent increase over the previous fiscal year’s budget estimate.
Focus on School Education
The Department of School Education and Literacy received its highest-ever allocation of ₹78,572 crore, a 7 percent increase from the previous year; this includes significant boosts to flagship schemes such as Samagra Shiksha (increased by ₹3,750 crore), PM-POSHAN (₹32 crore), and PM-SHRI (₹1,450 crore).
Emphasis on Innovation and Technology
The government plans to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over five years to foster innovation and scientific temper among students. Additionally, all government secondary schools will be provided broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project within the next three years.
Enhancement of Higher Education Infrastructure
Five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) established after 2014 will receive additional infrastructure to accommodate 6,500 more students. Furthermore, the budget proposes 10,000 fellowships for technological research in IITs and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) under the PM Research Fellowship scheme.
Promotion of Skilling and Artificial Intelligence
Five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be set up in collaboration with global partners to equip youth with skills for manufacturing sectors. Moreover, a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education is to be established with a total outlay of ₹500 crore, aiming to revolutionize India’s educational system through AI integration.
These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure, promoting technological innovation, and improving the quality of education across India.
Reference
Rana, T., Kapur, A., & Tamang, L. (2025). Budget Insights 2025-26: Ministry of Education. Foundation for Responsive Governance.
