Union Budget 2025: Education receives better funding, with more funds going to central universities and IITs

In addition to increasing funding for schools and higher education, the Union Budget 2025–2026 introduced the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, which will give pupils access to digital versions of Indian language publications. In her budget address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated, "This aims to help students understand their subjects better." Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the budget, telling reporters it will improve access to education and foster a culture of research and teaching.

The Finance Minister stated the overall number of students in 23 IITs has surged 100% from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh in the past 10 years. “Additional infrastructure will be created in the five IITs started after 2014 to facilitate education for 6,500 more students. Hostel and other infrastructure capacities at IIT Patna will also be expanded,” she said. She also declared that a Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education would be established, costing Rs. 500 crore in total. According to the Union Education Ministry, "it aims to address disparities and inefficiencies by harnessing artificial intelligence, ensuring equitable and high-quality education across the nation."

The Center claims that the Rs.78,572 crore allotted for school education is the greatest amount ever made for the department. The Department of School Education and Literacy's overall budget allocation for 2025–2026 increased by Rs.5,074 crore (7%) above the 2024–2025 budget predictions. The Ministry stated that there has been a Rs.11,000 crore (16.28%) increase in comparison to the updated estimates for 2024–2025. In comparison to the updated estimates for 2024–2025, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has been given Rs. 9,503 crore, an increase of Rs.776 crore.