New Delhi, Feb 04 : The Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 was presented in Parliament on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The education sector, a key focus area, received significant attention this year, with multiple new schemes and increased funding aimed at strengthening infrastructure, research, and skill development across the country.
Key Initiatives and Schemes in Education Budget 2026
Bio-Pharma Shakti: India aims to become a global bio-pharma manufacturing hub with an investment of ₹10,000 crore over five years.
Pharmaceutical Education: Three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) will be set up, while seven existing NIPERs will be upgraded.
Ayush and Veterinary Education: Existing Ayush pharmacies will be upgraded, and new veterinary and para veterinary colleges will increase professionals to 20,000.
All India Institutes of Ayurveda: Three new institutes will be established.
Girls’ Hostels: Every district will receive a new hostel facility for female students.
District Hospital Expansion: Emergency and trauma care centers will increase hospital capacity by 50%.
Private and Regional Universities: Assistance will be provided to establish five private universities and five regional medical hubs.
Tourism Education: 10,000 tourist guides will be trained to cover 20,000 iconic sites nationwide.
Content Creator Labs: 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges will get labs to promote Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC).
Professional Support: Institutions like ICAI, ICSI, and ICMAI will receive targeted professional development assistance.
Focus on AI, Skill Development, and Employment Linkage
The budget emphasizes integrating AI labs, robotics, and skill-oriented education in schools and colleges, linking education directly to employability. Research in higher education and infrastructure improvements in IITs, medical institutions, and professional colleges are also highlighted.
Education Budget Over the Last 5 Years
| Financial Year | Allocation (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 93,224 |
| 2022-23 | 1,04,278 |
| 2023-24 | 1,12,899 |
| 2024-25 | 1,20,627 |
| 2025-26 | 1,28,650 |
| 2026-27 (est.) | 1,30,000+ |
The 2026 budget aims to gradually increase education spending to 6% of GDP, reduce GST from 18% on education services, and expand access to affordable education nationwide.
Government Outlook
The budget’s overarching goals include providing equitable education, increasing the number of seats in premier institutions, strengthening research, promoting skill-based learning, and linking education outcomes to employment opportunities.
Presentation and Approval
The Union Cabinet meeting for formal budget approval was held at 10:15 AM, followed by the Finance Minister’s presentation in the Lok Sabha at 11:00 AM. A press briefing later detailed the education and other sector-wise allocations.