Budget 2020: Govt To Bring New Education Policy; Allocates Rs 99,300 Cr For Sector In FY21

Sitharaman said Rs 99,300 crore has been allocated for the education sector and Rs 3,000 crore for skill development for the next fiscal. Steps will be be taken to attract external commercial borrowing and FDI in the education sector, the finance minister said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced that the Centre will soon announce a new education policy and the government has received over 2 lakh suggestions on it. (PTI)

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced that the Centre will soon announce a new education policy and the government has received over 2 lakh suggestions on it. Further presenting the Budget for 2020-21, Sitharaman said Rs 99,300 crore has been allocated for the education sector and Rs 3,000 crore for skill development for the next fiscal. Steps will be be taken to attract external commercial borrowing and FDI in the education sector, the finance minister said. Besides, Sitharaman also said IND-SAT exam will be held for Asian and African students for scholarships to 'Study in India'. "IND-SAT exam will be held for Asian and African students for scholarships to 'Study in India'," said Sitharaman during the presentation of the Budget. Stating that the government will soon announce a new education policy, she said, "Now, degrees can be taken online soon and will be offered by the top 100 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked institutes." She further said the government plans to start a programme for urban local bodies to provide opportunities for the internship to young engineers. Budget 2020: New education policy to be launched soon, says Sitharaman She said 150 higher institutes will start apprentice training for 'general category students' and that a 'national police university' and a 'national forensic science university' were proposed to be set up.  The government has also proposed to attach medical colleges with district hospitals on PPP model to deal with shortage of doctors, she added. Special bridge courses will be designed for teachers, nurses, para medical staff, caregivers, she said. Allocation for Swachh Bharat for 2020-21 stands at Rs 12,300 crore, and the government is proposing Rs 3.6 lakh crore towards piped water supply to households. (with inputs from agencies)