The Union Budget 2025 has drawn mixed reactions from education leaders, who have welcomed its focus on skilling, digital learning, and higher education expansion while stressing the need for effective execution.

Key announcements, including the establishment of National Centres of Excellence for Skilling, broadband expansion in government schools, and a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, have been praised as steps toward future-ready learning. The addition of 75,000 undergraduate medical seats and expanded IIT infrastructure have also been highlighted as crucial for strengthening India’s higher education sector.

However, experts have cautioned that successful implementation will be critical. Many emphasized the need for institutional accountability, alignment between research and industry demands, and stronger investment in education. Some also pointed out the lack of significant relief for private institutions and the continued shortfall in education spending as a percentage of GDP.

While the budget sets a promising direction for education, experts believe that long-term impact will depend on the effectiveness of policy execution and adaptability to evolving learning needs.

“The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, introduces significant initiatives for the education sector. Establishing 5 National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will empower the youth with industry-relevant skills, preparing them for global opportunities. Adding broadband connectivity in all government secondary schools will bridge the digital divide and enhance learning outcomes. The creation of the Centre of Excellence for AI in education is a commendable step forward. It will encourage industry-HEI collaboration for the development of scalable solutions for various sectors, helping students gain practical knowledge and experience. Overall, these initiatives will strengthen the education sector, create better opportunities for the youth, and prepare them for the future”. – Dr Anunaya Chaubey, Provost, Anant National University.           

“The Union Budget announced by the Hon’ble FM takes a thoughtful and future-focused approach, prioritizing education, skilling, and innovation as key drivers of growth. The emphasis on expanding access to quality education, strengthening research capabilities, and fostering scientific thinking through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs, AI excellence centres, and national skilling hubs will play a transformative role in shaping India’s future. The addition of 75,000 undergraduate medical seats over the next five years will significantly strengthen healthcare education and accessibility. The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is a commendable step towards inclusive and accessible learning. At Amrita University, we welcome these progressive measures and look forward to aligning with the nation’s vision, working collaboratively with the government to drive impactful change in higher education, healthcare, and research and development.” – Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice-Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

“The Union Budget 2025-26 sets the right direction with AI-driven education, research fellowships, deep-tech funding, and global skilling partnerships. These are crucial steps toward positioning education as an economic powerhouse. However, policy is always a work in progress—the real test is execution. If India is to leapfrog in education the way it did in digitization, we need a 10X mindset in implementation, institutional accountability, and adaptability. The focus must now shift to outcome-driven reforms—aligning research with national priorities, empowering universities to lead innovation, and embedding competency-building over mere skilling. This decade will define India’s global standing. Bold policy must now meet bold execution.” – Kunal Vasudeva, Co-founder & Managing Director, Indian School of Hospitality

“The Union Budget’s focus on education, skill development, and research underscores a commitment to nurturing lifelong learners who can thrive in an evolving world. The establishment of National Centres of Excellence for Skilling, the expansion of IITs, and the Centre of Excellence for AI in Education reflect an investment in future-ready competencies that will shape India’s global standing as a knowledge hub. The addition of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and broadband connectivity in government schools is a step toward democratizing access to innovation, ensuring every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s growth. The expansion of medical education and the National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar will not only drive economic growth but also reinforce a culture of social responsibility. Beyond academics, initiatives like the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 reflect a much-needed focus on holistic development, ensuring that children, mothers, and adolescents receive the nutrition and support essential for learning and growth. The Bhasha Pustak Scheme, with its emphasis on digital access to Indian language books, strengthens inclusive learning, allowing students to engage deeply with knowledge in their native languages. At GD Goenka, we remain committed to complementing these national efforts by empowering a generation that is not just prepared for the future but capable of shaping it.” – Nipun Goenka, Managing Director, GD Goenka Group

“The Union Budget 2025-26 by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman takes a very holistic approach towards education with a focus on innovation, research, technology, skill development, accessibility, and capacity building. The reforms are intended at the grassroots level with announcements of fifty thousand new Atal Tinkering Labs and better broadband connectivity for government schools. I commend the decision to set the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence. It shall help India catch up in the global AI race. Likewise, the fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc will pave the way for innovations and build a culture of research. The budget takes a balanced approach to both school and higher education. It also aims to bring in global expertise for skilling the youth of India through the five National Centres of Excellence in skilling. With an outlay of Rs. 1,28,650 crores for education, this budget promises reforms and initiatives not just in line with NEP 2020 but also directed towards catalyzing education to drive India’s progress towards Viksit Bharat.” – Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions

“The Union Budget 2025 marks the dawn of a new era in India’s education landscape by prioritizing skilling, digital education, and global learning opportunities. The establishment of the National Centres of Excellence for Skilling and the promotion of global skilling partnerships will empower the youth with skills pertinent to industry requirements, thereby enhancing their employability on an international scale. Moreover, the creation of a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education represents a significant leap forward in integrating artificial intelligence into educational frameworks. These initiatives align with the growing demand for a globally competitive workforce and further solidify India’s position as a global talent hub. These efforts resonate with the insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which emphasizes the importance of technological skills, including AI and big data, as well as the need for resilience, flexibility, and agility in the workforce. By focusing on these areas, India is not only addressing current educational needs but also preparing its youth for the evolving global job market.” – Anushika Jain; Founder and CEO of Global Shala and Globally Recruit.

“The Union Budget 2025 lays significant emphasis on the education and well-being of students. The commitment to advancing science and technology through initiatives like 50,000 Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) and broadband connectivity for government schools is a welcome move. Furthermore, providing digital access to vernacular literature will significantly enhance educational quality. The expansion of admission capacities in institutions such as IITs and medical colleges will alleviate the pressure on numerous students aiming to secure admissions in the top institutions of the country. Additionally, the emphasis on skill development will particularly benefit marginalized communities, enabling them to secure livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.”- Chaitanya Dev Singh, National President, Round Table India (RTI)

“The Budget 2025 takes a decisive step in ensuring that the future of India is knowledge-led and technology-enabled. With 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, broadband connectivity in government schools, and a ₹500 crore Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, it paves the way for India to emerge as the technological hub of the world. Moreover, the focus on skilling and providing digital Indian language books for schools and higher education reflects a commitment to inclusivity, recognising the diverse linguistic landscape of our country. By making quality education accessible in various Indian languages, the government is ensuring that students from different backgrounds can have uniform learning experiences.” – Kanak Gupta, Group Director, MR Jaipuria Group

“India’s commitment to educational and technological advancement takes centre stage with ambitious initiatives spanning multiple sectors. The establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Laboratories in government schools signals a transformative push to nurture innovation at the grassroots level. The vision extends to higher education, with expanded infrastructure in newer IITs accommodating 6,500 additional students, while a ₹500 crore investment in an AI Education Centre of Excellence demonstrates our focus on future technologies. Healthcare education receives significant attention through 10,000 new medical college seats and 200 cancer centres. The government’s dedication to research and innovation is further emphasized by the proposed DeepTech Fund of Funds and 10,000 PM Research Fellowships at premier institutions. These comprehensive measures, combined with practical steps like TCS removal on education loans up to ₹10 lakh, form a robust framework for India’s educational and technological evolution.” – Tannay Jit Singh, Founder, Kladio

“The Union Budget 2025 reflects a strong commitment to advancing education and skilling in India. Establishing 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and the enablement of broadband connectivity in government schools will be a game-changer in fostering innovation and digital learning. Additionally, the expansion of IIT infrastructure and the Centre of Excellence for AI in Education will empower students for future technological advancements and thrive in the digital age. We welcome these initiatives, as they align with our mission to provide holistic and future-ready education to young minds.” – Preethi Rajeev Nair, Principal – CBSE, Lancers Army School

“The much-awaited Union Budget 2025 delivers a promising roadmap for India’s education sector. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education with an outlay of ₹500 crore will drive innovation and cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. In addition, the expansion of infrastructure in IITs, allowing for 6,500 additional seats will further strengthen India’s technical education ecosystem. We are also encouraged by the focus on skilling through five National Centres of Excellence and the Deeptech Fund of Funds, which will facilitate and empower our youth to lead in global technological advancements. Currently, research and development labs in India are heavily dependent on funding from ANRF, a recent government’s initiative to  create an ecosystem for the sector. However,   additional focus on private educational institutions in the current Budget would have given a booster dose to the sector since a higher number  of students enrol in private institutes, than government ones. These measures, coupled with the emphasis on digital education and research fellowships, will certainly propel India toward becoming a global knowledge and innovation hub”. – Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra, Ranchi.

“We welcome the Union Budget’s focus on advancing the goals of NEP 2020 and addressing key education challenges. The expansion of IITs and 75,000 additional medical seats over five years is a crucial step in reducing medical student outflow to other countries, given that over 23 lakh students appear for NEET, but only 1.1 lakh seats are available. The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme will enhance regional language learning, while 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools will foster scientific temper and innovation. Broadband connectivity in secondary government schools can be a game-changer, enabling affordable, high-quality, and personalized digital learning solutions. Public-private partnerships with edtech companies can be explored as they become a bridge between policy and execution of this initiative. The recognition of AI’s role in education is commendable, with the ₹500 crore Centre for Excellence in AI for Education paving the way for smart, adaptive learning. These initiatives lay a strong foundation for a future-ready, inclusive, and tech-driven education ecosystem in India.” – Prateek Maheshwari, Co-Founder, PhysicsWallah (PW) and Chair of the India EdTech Consortium (IEC).

“The Union Budget 2025-26 marks a visionary approach to early childhood and school education, focusing on the use of technology for learning, accessibility, and skill development. A key focus will be on early childhood education, with increased investments in digital learning tools and AI-driven adaptive platforms that personalize learning experiences for young children. The expansion of EdTech initiatives will bridge learning gaps, making quality preschool education accessible to all, irrespective of geography. For school education, the focus of the budget on digital resources, AI-powered learning platforms, and immersive technologies like AR/VR will change traditional teaching methods. These tools will enable interactive and engaging learning environments, improve conceptual understanding in STEM and foundational literacy. The push for broadband connectivity and digital infrastructure will empower private schools and educational institutions to adopt hybrid learning models in such a way that students from all walks of life can take advantage of high-quality education. Moreover, with increased funding, teacher training in digital pedagogy will ensure that educators are equipped with skills to effectively use AI, gamification, and personalized learning modules. This budget signifies a shift toward technology-driven inclusivity in education, making sure that both preschoolers and school students have future-ready learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and innovation.” – Amit Tiwari, CEO, Little Elly.