Key Highlights:
- Increased Allocation for PM Shri Schools
- Expansion of Innovation in Schools
- Boost in National Education Mission Funding
This saw the amount sanctioned to PM Schools for Rising India at a total of ₹7,500 crores-an amount that is as much as double the earlier number of ₹4,500 crores made under the former budget.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 8th Union Budget. ₹78,572 crores were allocated to the Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education for the financial year 2025-26.
Strengthening Education Initiatives
Establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools to create curiosity, innovation, and scientific thinking among students has perhaps been the most visible.
Central Sector Schemes and Projects
The government allocated ₹429 crores towards Central Sector Schemes/Projects, including:
- Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme (DHRUV) – ₹55 crores for mentoring talented students with guidance from experts.
- National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme – ₹374 crores to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections, offering scholarships of ₹6,000 per annum to prevent dropouts at the secondary level.
Boosting Educational Institutions
A total of ₹15,430 crores was allocated to support key educational institutions, including:
- National Bal Bhawan
- National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
National Education Mission Investments
Under the National Education Mission, two major initiatives received increased funding:
- Samagra Shiksha – ₹41,250 crores (compared to ₹37,010 crores in the previous budget).
- Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) – ₹12,500 crores (up from ₹10,000 crores last year), with a focus on better nutrition for school-going children.
Through such allocations, the government will fortify India’s education system with a bettering of digital learning, and all this will take place while still advancing scientific and technological progress at schools.