India’s education fraternity is gearing up for the 2026-27 budget, with high hopes for transformative investments. The focus? Elevating higher education excellence and research prowess to etch India’s name as a global innovation leader.
Experts recommend immediate seat hikes at IITs and IIMs to match aspirant influx. Revamping infrastructure at private and deemed universities requires innovative funding: mandating 10% CSR from firms could unlock potentials in AI labs, digital libraries, smart classrooms, and beyond.
Such measures would accelerate tech integration, making education more accessible and effective. Education’s role in development cannot be overstated—India must close the GDP spend gap from 4-5% to rival developed worlds’ 10%.
Demographic dividends amplify the urgency for scaled budgets. Linking studies to practical skills will dismantle digital barriers, bolstering economic sustainability and global standing.
The budget drops February 1 at 11 AM via FM Nirmala Sitharaman, reviving a Sunday tradition last seen post-2000, signaling potentially game-changing reveals for the sector.