Opinion: Budget 2025 — A Transformative Leap For Education And Skill Development

The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated Rs 1.28 lakh crore for education.

Source : PTI

As I browsed through the Union Budget presented by the Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, I felt deeply encouraged by its transformative approach towards educational infrastructure, skill development, and technological integration. The budget demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of India's educational challenges and potential, presenting a forward-looking strategy that aligns with our national aspiration of becoming a knowledge-driven economy.

The budget's commitment to education is evident through several key initiatives – the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programme aims to provide nutritional support to over 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant women, and lactating mothers. This foundational initiative is crucial, as it ensures that our future generations are healthy and ready to learn, setting the stage for academic success.

Samagra Shiksha remains the most significant scheme for school education, with allocations of Rs 41,250.00 crore in 2025-26 compared to that of budgeted Rs 37,010.00 crores in the previous year.

A particularly noteworthy provision is the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years. These labs will cultivate curiosity and innovation among students, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the 21st century. This initiative resonates with ABP Education's commitment to integrating creativity and technology into learning environments.

Moreover, the budget allocates resources for enhancing broadband connectivity in all government secondary schools and primary health centres in rural areas under the Bharatnet project. This connectivity is vital for bridging the digital divide, allowing students in remote areas to access quality educational resources and digital platforms. Simultaneously, the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, which aims to provide digital-form Indian language books, will democratise educational access and promote learning in regional languages.

Blueprint For India's Educational Renaissance

The budget's focus on skill development is particularly noteworthy. The establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for skilling, with global expertise and partnerships, demonstrates a strategic approach to preparing our youth for emerging global manufacturing opportunities. This initiative perfectly complements the "Make for India, Make for the World" vision, ensuring our workforce remains competitive and adaptable. Additionally, the expansion of capacity in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will accommodate 6,500 more students, further enhancing our higher education landscape. 

The establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education with an outlay of ₹500 crore is another significant step forward by focusing on integrating AI into educational practices, paving the way for personalised learning experiences that cater to individual student needs. At ABP Education, we are particularly excited about the potential of AI to transform learning and teaching methodologies and we are committed to supporting such initiatives that prepare our students for future challenges.

As an education professional, I see these initiatives as a clarion call for collaborative efforts between government, educational institutions, and the private sector. Our collective responsibility is to translate these visionary provisions into tangible outcomes that empower millions of young Indians. Together, we can realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat, where every individual has access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed.

The Budget 2025 is not just an economic document; it is a blueprint for India's educational renaissance.

The writer is CEO of ABP Education.

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