Education Sector Advocates for Enhanced Fiscal Support Ahead of Union Budget 2026
With the Union Budget 2026 scheduled for presentation on February 1, stakeholders across India's education sector are intensifying their calls for a robust fiscal commitment aligned with the transformative goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The focus remains squarely on enhancing quality, ensuring equity, and building future readiness through strategic investments.
Broad Expectations for Higher Budgetary Allocation
There is widespread anticipation that education will receive a significantly higher budgetary allocation in the upcoming budget, reflecting its pivotal role in cultivating India's talent reservoir and supporting the nation's long-term economic and developmental ambitions. Industry leaders emphasize that translating the visionary intent of NEP 2020 into tangible, on-ground outcomes necessitates sustained and substantial public investment.
Key areas demanding immediate attention include comprehensive teacher capacity-building programs, modernization of educational infrastructure, and widespread integration of advanced technology across all learning levels.
Focus on Teacher Empowerment and Skill Development
Shishir Jaipuria, chairman of the Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions, articulated that education forms the foundational bedrock for a skilled talent pool that propels all other sectors forward. He stressed that budgetary allocations must mirror the ambitious recommendations laid out in NEP 2020.
"My foremost expectation revolves around the professional development of educators, as empowered teachers are the single most critical factor in elevating educational standards," Jaipuria stated. He further advocated for a stronger emphasis on vocational and skill-based education to effectively support the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) mandatory skill education reforms for Classes 6 to 8. This requires robust national programs and structured funding mechanisms.
Addressing Equity and Infrastructure Gaps
Highlighting pressing equity concerns, Jaipuria pointed out that allocations must prioritize:
- Substantial improvement in school infrastructure across the country.
- Ensuring adequate and qualified teacher availability in public schools.
- Enhancing learning quality and outcomes in rural and remote areas.
He also called for policy announcements that actively encourage public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education. Such collaborations are seen as vital for attracting private capital, fostering innovation, and raising India's educational standards to global benchmarks.
Digital Transformation and Higher Education Priorities
Siddharth Banerjee, CEO of Univo Education, welcomed the government's sustained focus under NEP 2020 on elevating the quality and outcomes of higher education. He noted that with India's youth constituting the world's largest demographic cohort, strategic investment is paramount.
"Investment should be channeled towards building a highly skilled talent pool, accelerating digital transformation across institutions, and strengthening overall institutional capacity," Banerjee emphasized. He added that targeted investments in digital infrastructure could exponentially scale high-quality online education, helping online degree programs achieve mainstream acceptance.
This digital push is crucial for supporting the ambitious target of achieving a 50 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education by 2035 and advancing the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide and Improving Access
Shweta Sastri, managing director of Canadian International School in Bengaluru, expressed optimism that education would continue to receive focused, future-oriented attention in the budget. She argued that a higher allocation would directly support:
- The establishment of new K-12 schools nationwide.
- Substantial strengthening of educational infrastructure.
- Bridging the persistent urban-rural education gap.
- Improving learning outcomes across the country.
Sastri also highlighted that greater technology integration and more favorable interest rates on education loans would significantly improve access and inclusion for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Building a Blended Learning Ecosystem
Niru Agarwal, managing trustee of Greenwood High International School, acknowledged that recent policy reforms have established a strong foundation. However, she asserted that the upcoming Budget must now prioritize:
- Dramatically increased access to quality education.
- Comprehensive upskilling initiatives for educators and students.
- Technological capacity-building, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Agarwal strongly emphasized the need to fortify skill-based education frameworks and construct a holistic blended learning ecosystem. This ecosystem should seamlessly integrate digital tools, robust physical infrastructure, and experiential learning methodologies to genuinely enhance future readiness among India's student population.
As the budget presentation date nears, the collective voice from the education sector underscores a clear message: substantial and strategic funding is the essential catalyst required to fully realize the transformative potential of the National Education Policy 2020 and secure India's future as a global knowledge powerhouse.
