Union Budget 2026: From Content Labs And University Townships To Girls' Hostel; Major Budget Highlights For Education Sector

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Union Budget 2026 on February 1, 2026, outlining the government's priorities for education. The education sector has been given a total of Rs 83562.26 crore for schools and Rs 55727.22 crore for the higher education department this year.

The government's intention to regard education as a strategic pillar of national growth rather than as a single line item is indicated by the announcements, which cover infrastructure, access, innovation, and health sciences. A bold call for justice and excellence in equal measure lies at the core of the ideas.

Here are the key educational initiatives announced during the Budget presentation:

Content creation lab in schools & college:

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai will receive financing for establishing content creaton labs in 500 colleges and 15,000 schools across the country.

Girls' hostel in every district:

With a focus on higher education STEM institutions, at least one girls' hostel will be built in every district nationwide.

5 University Townships:

Several universities, colleges, residential complexes, and research facilities will be housed in five new university townships that will be built close to important industrial and logistics routes.

3 New All India Institutes of Ayurveda:

To increase traditional medicine instruction and research throughout India, three new AIIAs are being suggested.

New National Institute of Design:

To support design education and the creative sectors, a specialised design institute will be established in the eastern area.

4 Telescope Facilities: To advance space sciences, four astronomy and astrophysics telescope infrastructure locations will be established or renovated.

Three New Pharmaceutical Research Institutes:

Seven current national institutes of pharmaceutical education and research will be upgraded, and three new ones will be created.

Allied Health Training Push:

Over the course of five years, ten new allied health specialities, such as optometry, anaesthesia, and behavioural health, would be launched with the goal of training one lakh professionals.

Published on: Sunday, February 01, 2026, 01:17 PM IST