Education Outlay Up by Nearly 8%; Budget Allocation Touches ₹1.39 Lakh Crore

The Union government has increased the education outlay by nearly eight per cent, taking the total allocation to approximately ₹1.39 lakh crore, signalling an expanded fiscal push across school education, higher learning and skill development. The enhanced provision reflects a continued emphasis on strengthening the education ecosystem at multiple levels, with funding aimed at improving access, infrastructure and quality.

A significant share of the allocation is expected to support school education initiatives, including foundational learning, institutional capacity and system-wide improvements. Higher education institutions are also set to benefit, with resources directed towards academic infrastructure, research support and institutional development.

Alongside formal education, the budget underscores the government’s focus on skilling initiatives, aligning training programmes with employment needs and emerging sectors. The expanded outlay is positioned as part of a broader effort to integrate education with workforce readiness and long-term economic growth.

Officials have framed the increase as a step toward reinforcing the education–employment linkage, while addressing structural gaps across states and institutions. The rise in allocation indicates sustained policy attention on human capital development, as education spending remains central to national development planning and social sector priorities.