The Government of Delhi has allocated Rs 19,326 crore to the education sector for 2026–27, retaining the largest share of its Budget.

Presenting the Budget, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a Sainik School in the capital and free bicycles for 1.3 lakh Class IX girl students, with Rs 90 crore set aside for the scheme. The government will also introduce a Private Play Schools Policy and create a common library infrastructure supported by a digital library system.

The allocation is marginally higher than last year’s Rs 19,291 crore. Of the total outlay, Rs 19,148 crore is earmarked for education, including Rs 200 crore for new school buildings and Rs 275 crore to expand existing schools.

Medical rooms will be set up in all government schools with a budget of Rs 5 crore. Creche facilities in offices will receive Rs 2 crore. The government has allocated Rs 10 crore to deploy artificial intelligence in assessments, examinations and personality development, and Rs 5 crore for student exposure visits. A further Rs 1.5 crore is proposed for pedagogical initiatives and exposure visits in CM Shri Schools.

Meritorious Class 10 students will receive laptops under a Rs 10 crore provision. After equipping around 7,000 classrooms with smart boards in 2025–26, the government aims to create 8,777 smart classrooms in 2026–27, with plans to scale up to 21,000. Rs 150 crore has been allocated for this programme.

Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for sports hostels, grounds and swimming pools, along with Rs 18.5 crore for initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, data analysis and exchange programmes.

Under technical education, Rs 720 crore has been allocated. Infrastructure will be expanded at Industrial Training Institutes in Shahdara, Pusa and Jail Road. New buildings will be constructed for GB Pant Engineering College and polytechnics with Rs 100 crore. Centres of Excellence will be established at ITIs in Jahangirpuri, Dhirpur, Shahdara, Narela and Nandnagri.

Plans include developing an Educity in Narela, expanding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi and building a permanent campus for the Delhi Sports University in Mundka. Rs 10 crore has been allocated to National Law University, Delhi.

A Talent Hunt Scheme covering all 70 Assembly constituencies will be conducted with Rs 10 crore in funding. Rehabilitation centres will be set up in government stadiums, and a Private Sports Academy Policy will be introduced.

The chief minister also urged the Centre to sanction 10 Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan schools in the national capital.

The Budget was tabled on 24 March, according to Press Trust of India.

Inputs from PTI

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