NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, announced key initiatives to strengthen India’s education and skilling ecosystem.
The budget emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, expansion of medical education, digital learning in schools, and rural skill development.
Five AI Centres of Excellence in Education
To advance AI-driven research, the government will establish five national Centres of Excellence for AI in Education through global partnerships. Sitharaman said, “Our vision is to integrate AI into academic and research institutions, particularly the IITs, to foster innovation and technological advancements.”
Additionally, the government will expandinfrastructure in five IITs established after 2014, creating space for 6,500 more students. IIT Patna will also see further expansion to support its growing academic and research ecosystem.
Budget 2025: Gujarat’s IFSC to benefit from extended cut-off by 2030, Capital Gains exemptions
Medical Education Gets a Boost
Sitharaman announced the addition of 10,000 new medical seats across the country in the coming year. She stated, “This is part of the Narendra Modi government’s broader plan to increase medical seats by 75,000 over the next five years.”
The initiative builds on a 130% rise in medical seats over the past decade, which saw the addition of 1.1 lakh undergraduate and postgraduate seats.
50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs & Broadband for Schools
The government will establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years to encourage scientific temper and innovation. Sitharaman emphasized, “Our goal is to enhance school education and provide students with hands-on experience in STEM learning.”
To improve digital accessibility, broadband connectivity will be extended to all government secondary and primary schools. “This move will ensure better access to online learning resources,” she added.
Budget 2025: PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana, Pulses Mission announced; KCC loan limit raised to ₹5 lakh
Investment in Rural Skilling
Highlighting the importance of skilling, Sitharaman announced, “A comprehensive multi-sectoral rural prosperity and resilience program will be launched in partnership with state governments to create new employment opportunities and enhance skill development in rural areas.”
In the previous budget (2024), the government allocated Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skill development, including student loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education at domestic institutions.
