Describing the budget as a forward-thinking vision for higher education that focuses on skill development, innovation, and inclusivity, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar said the substantial increase in the budget allocation for higher education, from Rs. 46,482.35 crore in 2024-25 to Rs. 50,077.95 crore in 2025-26, represents a significant 7.74% rise.
“This increased investment will enable us to further enhance the quality of education, support research and innovation, and expand access to higher learning opportunities for all.”
In her budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in 2023, she had announced three Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for agriculture, health, and sustainable cities. “Now a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for education will be set up with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore.”
Highlighting the expansion of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), a network of engineering and technology institutions in India, which were first established in 1950, she said the total number of students in 23 IITs had increased 100 percent from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh in the past 10 years.
“Additional infrastructure will be created in the five IITs started after 2014 to facilitate education for 6,500 more students.” Hostel and other infrastructure capacity at IIT, Patna will also be expanded, she announced for poll-bound Bihar.
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