Union Budget 2025: 7 major education highlights to watch out for

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025, outlining a comprehensive plan to strengthen India’s educational infrastructure. The budget focuses on expanding the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and medical education, introducing the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme to provide digital Indian language books for schools and higher education, and establishing a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for education with a Rs 500 crore investment.Additionally, it includes plans to enhance broadband connectivity for government schools and healthcare centres, set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to foster innovation, and create five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling to provide specialized vocational training. Furthermore, the introduction of 10,000 PM Research Fellowships will support advanced research at IITs and IISc Bangalore. Here are the key highlights of the Education Budget.
Expansion of IITs
The government plans to expand five IITs, adding 5,000 new seats and upgrading infrastructure, particularly at IIT Patna, to accommodate a growing student population and improve facilities.
Medical Education Expansion
10,000 new medical seats will be added next year as part of a five-year plan to increase medical education capacity to 75,000 seats, addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals.
Broadband Connectivity for Schools and Healthcare Centres
The budget includes a plan to provide broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centres, enhancing access to education and healthcare across the country.
50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs
To encourage innovation, 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs will be established over the next five years. These labs will help students explore science, technology, and engineering through hands-on learning.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak Scheme
The Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak scheme will make Indian language books available digitally for schools and universities, promoting inclusive education and preserving regional languages.
National Centres for Skilling Excellence
The government will set up five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling, offering specialized vocational training with global expertise to prepare students for emerging job markets.
PM Research Fellowship
To promote research, the government will offer 10,000 PM Research Fellowships at IITs and IISc Bangalore, providing enhanced financial support to top students in science and technology.