The Education Budget outlines how the government plans to spend on schools, colleges, universities and skill development in the coming year. It highlights priorities such as classroom learning, teacher training, digital education and job-linked skills. The Budget affects students through scholarships and facilities, and institutions through funding and policy support. This page tracks key announcements, expert views and how Budget decisions impact learners, educators and the education system overall.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Dr Ashok Lahiri, the newly appointed Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, discussed the recent fuel price hikes, the state of the Indian economy, and the impact of the West Asia conflict.
In this India Today special report, Maria Shakil leads coverage as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present her ninth Union Budget. For the first time in 75 years, the Finance Minister is expected to read 'Part B' of the budget speech in its entirety, focusing on custom reforms and deregulation. The government aims to balance CAPEX-led growth with consumption relief while emphasizing digital transformation through a tablet-based 'Bahi Khata' at the new Kartavya Bhawan. Key discussions include potential tweaks to the Security Transaction Tax (STT), recalibration of capital gains tax, and increased allocations for PM Awas Yojana and Ayushman Bharat. Union Minister Piyush Goyal provides insights into India's trade deal with the European Union. Analysts examine the 'K-shaped' economy, global headwinds, and the role of cooperative federalism in driving labor-intensive manufacturing. The program also highlights the participation of women in the budget drafting team to address household economic concerns ahead of crucial elections in five states.
On this broadcast, economist Sanchita Mukherjee analyses the expectations and strategic direction of the Union Budget. Mukherjee highlights the importance of fiscal consolidation and execution, stating, 'The tiger lies low, not in fear. The tiger lies low when it's taking in .' She emphasizes that while India's macroeconomic parameters remain pristine, the challenge lies in attracting FDI and translating education into productive skilling and job creation. The discussion covers the need for public-private partnerships to mitigate regulatory risks and the importance of simplifying execution to cut through red tape. Mukherjee also suggests enhancing agricultural productivity through credit guarantee schemes similar to the MSME sector and proposes aggressive asset and gold monetisation to fund urban infrastructure. The transcript further explores the role of women in the budget drafting team, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and DEA Secretary Anuradha Thakur, noting how female participation influences social sector allocations and household budget concerns.
Sunetra Pawar is set to take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday at 5 pm, according to sources. She has accepted the proposal for her elevation and will continue to handle the Excise and Sports ministries.
On this Special Report, anchor Akshita Nandagopal discusses the Supreme Court's significant decision to stay the University Grants Commission (UGC) 2026 equity regulations. The apex court described the new norms as 'prima facie vague and prone to misuse,' providing major relief to protesting students. During the hearing, the court expressed concerns that the regulations could lead to a societal divide, stating, 'Hope we don't divide campuses like America.' The programme explores the legal and political fallout of this 'judicial bombshell' on the central government, featuring insights from legal correspondent Srishti Ojha and ground reports from Delhi University. While the government faces a January 19 deadline to submit a detailed response, students remain divided; some fear the birth of 'reverse discrimination' while others advocate for clearer safeguards against historical caste-based exclusion. The report also touches upon the upcoming budget with a glimpse of an interview with Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran regarding trade deals and the Indian rupee.
This report covers the escalating political war in maharashtra over mumbai's identity. the row was triggered by bjp leader k. annamalai, who stated, 'because bombay is not a maharashtra city, it's an international city' while advocating for a 'triple engine sarkar' ahead of the bmc polls. maharashtra chief minister devendra fadnavis defended the remarks, claiming they were misconstrued, and hit back at uddhav thackeray and raj thackeray. fadnavis argued the conflict is about the political survival of the shiv sena (ubt) and mns rather than regional pride. he further pointed out that it was during uddhav thackeray's tenure that the cabinet approved teaching hindi and english in schools. meanwhile, uddhav thackeray mocked annamalai, warning of a public backlash in tamil nadu for such comments. the transcript highlights the sharp divide between the bjp and the thackeray cousins over the administration and cultural identity of india's financial capital.
This news report covers the escalating political confrontation in Maharashtra following remarks made by BJP leader K. Annamalai regarding Mumbai's identity. The controversy began when Annamalai stated, 'Mumbai is not a Maharashtra city, it is an international city,' triggering sharp reactions from MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Raj Thackeray accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of lying to protect his colleague, while Uddhav Thackeray mocked Annamalai's electoral record in Tamil Nadu, calling him a 'zero'. In response, Devendra Fadnavis hit back, asserting that the upcoming BMC battle is about the political survival of the Thackeray brothers rather than Marathi identity. Fadnavis further countered Uddhav Thackeray by pointing out that it was during Thackeray’s tenure as Chief Minister that the cabinet approved the mandatory teaching of Hindi and English in schools. The report highlights the deepening rift between the Mahayuti alliance and the opposition over regional pride and administrative control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
At India Today Conclave South 2025, Tamil Nadu’s Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Karnataka’s Madhu Bangarappa drew a clear line, education must remain free of ideology, driven by skills, equity and fair funding, with every child at the heart of reform.
Watch how these 4th graders in Delhi are electing class monitors, removing bullies and even making budgets.
The government will expand infrastructure at five IITs established after 2014, creating space for 6,500 more students. Medical education will also see a significant boost, with 10,000 additional seats being added to medical colleges and hospitals nationwide.
President Droupadi Murmu highlighted key government initiatives, focusing on housing, tribal welfare, healthcare, education, and employment. She also emphasised efforts for youth through the PM Vidyalakshmi Yojana, aiming to boost education and job opportunities.
Doors are being opened for talented youth in several sectors such as space, atomic energy and agriculture as limiting knowledge and research is a big injustice to the country's potential, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. Addressing a webinar on implementation of the Union Budget provisions in the education sector, he said the new National Education Policy has encouraged the use of local language and now it is the responsibility of all academics and experts of every language to prepare the best content available in the country and the world in Indian languages. For more, watch the full speech of PM Modi.
Watch the budgetary allocation for education by the Union government.
