Budget 2026 Expectations: Education and EdTech Sector Vital for Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision
As India prepares for Budget 2026, industry voices are emphasizing that focused support for the education and EdTech sectors is crucial for achieving the government's ambitious Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. Education leaders assert that strategic budgetary measures can accelerate human-capital transformation and build a globally competitive workforce.
Industry Leaders Call for Education as Economic Driver
Dr Sanjay Salunkhe, Founder of Jaro Education, told Mint that continued recognition of education as a core driver of long-term economic growth is essential. "We hope to see continued recognition of education as a core driver of long-term economic growth and the Viksit Bharat vision," he stated, highlighting education's foundational role in sustained productivity and innovation.
Anant Bengani, Cofounder and Director of Zell Education, echoed this sentiment, noting that Budget 2026 can chart a path toward Viksit Bharat by accelerating India's human-capital transformation. He emphasized the importance of building workforce readiness "through outcome-led skilling, industry-aligned learning, and practical capabilities" to help India's young population navigate an increasingly competitive job market.
Key Demands from Education Sector
Dr. Kamal Chhabra, Founder & CEO of KC GlobEd, outlined several critical areas requiring budgetary support:
- Stronger support for personal finance in education and skilling sectors
- Tax benefits on professional courses
- Reduced GST on EdTech services
- Simplified access to education loans
- Increased public spending on digital learning infrastructure
These measures, he asserts, are vital for India to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting future challenges.
Expanding Access Through Digital Education
Dr Salunkhe expects Budget 2026 to provide focused support for digital and online education, which can expand access to credible higher and executive education for working professionals across regions. "A budget that prioritizes inclusion and recognizes edtech as a key contributor to access, quality, and learner outcomes will reinforce confidence in India's human capital," he added.
Bengani also anticipates targeted investments in digital learning infrastructure, inclusive broadband access, and next-generation EdTech platforms "to ensure that quality education reaches every learner, whether in metros or rural districts."
Anushika Jain, Founder CEO of Globally Recruit, Global Shala and Co-Founder V-Empower Ventures, feels initiatives such as tax incentives, funding for skill-building initiatives, and infrastructure support for digital education will ensure a supportive environment for growth.
Ayush Kumar, MD of New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), pointed to the need to make quality higher education more accessible through enhanced education loans, interest subsidies, and tax benefits for students and parents.
Skilling and Upskilling Initiatives Take Center Stage
According to Bengani, there should be strong support for skilling and upskilling initiatives aligned with industry needs, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and advanced digital technologies. "Strategic budgetary measures that reduce barriers for lifelong learning and foster an industry-ready workforce will be key to bridging the gap between education and employability," he emphasized.
Siddharth Banerjee, CEO of Univo Education, believes investment should focus on building skilled talent, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening institutional capacity. A "forward-looking budget that embeds AI across the education ecosystem will be critical to developing globally competitive institutions and future-ready talent," he stated.
Suresh Kalpathi, CEO of Veranda Learning Solutions, added that the budget should treat education and skilling as economic infrastructure rather than social expenditure. "A greater emphasis on employability, particularly in new and emerging fields like AI, data, finance, and green jobs, is the need of the hour to ensure learning translates into livelihoods," he noted.
Addressing AI Disruptions with Policy Support
Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech, noted that AI-led disruption has reshaped the job market, presenting Budget 2026 with opportunities to address these challenges. He suggested the Budget could mandate 1% allocation of corporate profits toward workforce upskilling and "create a dedicated national reskilling pool without materially burdening businesses."
Ashutosh Upadhyay, Founder of Cognio Labs, highlighted that the global EdTech AI solutions space is expected to reach $80 billion by 2030, making budget allocations essential. "Key focus areas should include funding for AI-enabled student assessment tools, virtual learning environments, and automated content generation systems," he said, adding that incentives can "democratize quality education while creating a future-ready workforce equipped with digital skills."
Converting Intent into Impact Through Targeted Allocations
Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor of Medhavi Skills University, emphasized that education and skilling must be backed by targeted financial allocations that convert intent into impact. "Increased funding for academic and digital infrastructure will enable universities to translate innovation into industry-ready solutions, while dedicated fiscal incentives can strengthen the apprenticeship ecosystem and deepen industry participation," he explained.
Arpit Mittal, Founder & CEO at SpeakX.ai, believes targeted support for digital public infrastructure, regional content creation, and connectivity in underserved areas will be critical for comprehensive educational development.
Dudani also pointed to other important aspects requiring investment:
- Sustained investment in capacity building of teachers and faculty through continuous upskilling
- Focus on expanding digital infrastructure through platforms such as DIKSHA and SWAYAM
- Enhancing broadband connectivity across regions
- Promoting inclusive EdTech adoption nationwide
Prateek Shukla, Co-Founder and CEO of Masai, expects Budget 2026 to fund three crucial aspects:
- Co-investment and tax incentives for industry-academia partnerships
- Outcome-based accountability where government funding flows to institutions based on results, placement rates, salary progression, and skill validation rather than enrollment numbers
- Funding for platforms that make quality outcome-driven skilling accessible across India, not concentrated in metropolitan areas
As Budget 2026 approaches, the consensus among education leaders is clear: strategic investments in education technology, digital infrastructure, and skilling initiatives are not just beneficial but essential for realizing India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and creating a workforce prepared for future challenges.
