Union budget 2025-26: Key announcements, budget estimates for education and child welfare
The allocation for education rose by 14.21 % at Rs.1.39 lakh crore in the 2025-26 union budget presented by union finance minister Niramala Sitaraman in the Parliament on Sunday.
This was Sitaraman’s ninth consecutive budget. The 61 pages long budget speech has very few announcements of new schemes related to the education or child development . However, there has been an increased in allocation for the existing ones.
Among the significant proposals, the centre plans to support States, through a challenge-based approach, in establishing five University Townships near major industrial and logistic corridors. These thoughtfully planned academic zones will bring together multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill development centres, and residential complexes, creating vibrant hubs for education, research, and innovation.
Recognizing the challenges faced by girl students in STEM institutions due to prolonged study hours and intensive laboratory work, the Government will provide Viability Gap Funding and capital support to establish one girls’ hostel in every district. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and provide a safe, supportive environment for female students pursuing higher education.
To foster interest in Astrophysics and Astronomy through immersive learning experiences, four telescope infrastructure facilities will be either established or upgraded. These include the National Large Solar Telescope, the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the COSMOS-2 Planetarium, offering advanced research and observational opportunities for students and researchers alike.
KEY EDUCATION RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 5 University Townships in the vicinity of major industrial and logistic corridors.
- 1 girls’ hostel in Higher Education STEM institutions in every district.
- 4 Telescope Infrastructure facilities to be set up or upgraded.
- 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges to have AVGC Content Creator Labs.
- 1 new National Institute of Design through the Challenge route in eastern region of India.
- National Institute of Hospitality to be set up as a bridge between academia, industry and the Government.
- High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee to focus on the Services Sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat.
- NIMHANS-2 to be set up for northern India and National Mental Health Institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur to be upgraded.
- 3 new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and upgrading 7 existing ones.
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