– Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University

Our world is becoming increasingly complex. Rapid technological transformations, urban expansion, and evolving social realities are shaping how we think, react, and respond. These shifting dynamics demand a strategic rethink today so that we can build a humane, inclusive, and sustainable tomorrow. Design plays a central role in ensuring that our future evolves in line with our collective vision for it.

A deeply ingrained human trait, design has always been intrinsic to human progress. Although it is sometimes misunderstood as an exercise focused solely on aesthetics, design is now increasingly recognised as a discipline grounded in critical inquiry, systems thinking, and purposeful problem-solving. In India, this perspective is not entirely new. It draws upon long-standing indigenous practices in which design has been embedded as a context-driven and intuitive response to real-world challenges.

It is within this broader shift that recent policy directions, including the Union Budget 2026, stand out as significant. The emphasis on strengthening design education and the orange economy reinforces a growing recognition of design as a strategic enabler capable of contributing meaningfully to India’s growth story.

As India moves towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, the future workforce will require professionals who not only possess technical expertise but can also interpret complexity, navigate ambiguity, and work across disciplines to design solutions that enhance the overall human experience. In this sense, design becomes a critical bridge between technology and society.

While policy intent and budgetary support will play an important role in mainstreaming design, design education itself must evolve to realise the discipline’s true potential. Rather than remaining fixated on technical proficiency and artistic output alone, design education must adopt a more integrated approach. Students should be encouraged to work across domains and develop a comprehensive understanding of the contexts they engage with.

Experiential and context-based learning must take precedence. When students engage directly with communities, understand lived realities, and develop practical responses, learning moves beyond abstraction. It becomes grounded, relevant, and impact-oriented. Such approaches ensure that design is not treated merely as an academic pursuit, but as a tool for addressing real-world challenges.

Institutional readiness, both infrastructural and intellectual, will also determine how effective design education becomes. Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems with contemporary technological tools, and building meaningful industry linkages will prepare students for evolving professional environments.

Access is another critical dimension of this transition. As design gains recognition as a serious and impactful discipline, a larger pool of aspirants is seeking formal education in the field. Standardised examinations such as UCEED have contributed to bringing greater structure and merit-based evaluation into admissions. However, access to opportunity remains uneven. Financial constraints continue to limit admissions for many capable students to leading design institutions.

In this context, merit-based scholarships can expand access for deserving candidates, thereby not only democratising education but also strengthening the diversity of learning environments. Classrooms that bring together varied social, economic, and cultural perspectives are better positioned to develop solutions that are contextually relevant and socially responsive.

At the same time, it is important to recognise that technology, while transformative, cannot be the sole determinant of progress. As digital systems become increasingly central to design processes, the importance of ethical judgment, contextual understanding, and human values becomes even more pronounced. Design education must therefore focus on nurturing individuals who are not only technically capable but also thoughtful and responsible in their approach.

India’s growth trajectory requires more than expansion; it demands a commitment to purposeful collaboration. The Union Budget 2026 has sent a strong policy signal by positioning design within the broader framework of economic and social development. However, the realisation of this vision will depend on how effectively policy, institutions, and access mechanisms work together.

Transforming design education and making it future-ready is therefore not simply about increasing capacity. It is about ensuring that education becomes more relevant, inclusive, and aligned with the complexities of the present, while remaining committed to exploring the uncertainties of the future. When these elements come together, design education can play a transformative role in preparing a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to both national priorities and global challenges.

Also Read: Can India Become a Global Education Hub?