Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Increase in Budgetary Allocation for Education Sector
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.237

ANSWERED ON 09/03/2026

## INCREASE IN BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR EDUCATION SECTOR

- *237. Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne:

Smt. Bharti Pardhi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has allocated a sum of Rs.  1,39,289.48 crore for the Ministry of Education in Budget 2026-27 and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  rationale  for  establishing  the  high-  powered  'Education  to  Employment  and Enterprise' standing Committee is to bridge the skill gap by aligning academic curricula with the emerging demands of the services sector and evaluating the impact of Artificial Intelligence on future jobs and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to create five university Townships near major industrial and logistics corridors in the country particularly in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to unlock career opportunities in the "Orange Economy"; and

(e) the impact of one girls' hostel in every district through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) on female students to boost their enrollment in Higher Education fields?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.  237  FOR  REPLY  ON  09.03.2026  ASKED  BY  SHRI  SHRIRANG  APPA CHANDU  BARNE  AND  SMT.  BHARTI  PARDHI,  HON'BLE  MEMBERS  OF  PARLIAMENT REGARDING INCREASE IN BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR EDUCATION SECTOR

(a) to (e): In the Union Budget 2026-27, the total budget allocation for the Ministry of Education has  reached  ₹139289.48  crore,  marking  8.27  %  increase  over  BE  2025-26.    The  Budget Allocation for the Department of School Education & Literacy for 2026-27 is ₹ 83562 Cr which is an  overall  increase  of  ₹  4990  Cr  (6.35%)  as  compared  to  FY  2025-26.  The  overall  Budget Allocation for Department of Higher Education for 2026-27 is Rs. 55727.22 Cr which is an overall increase of Rs. 5649.27 Cr (11.28%) with respect to FY 2025-26.

To make India a global leader in services, with a 10% global share by 2047 by prioritising areas to optimise the potential for growth, employment and exports, assessing the impact of emerging technologies, including AI, on jobs and skill requirements and propose measures thereof, Union Budget 2026-27 has announced setting up of a High-Powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee to recommend measures that focus on the Services Sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat.

Union Budget 2026-27 has announced setting up of 5 University Townships in the vicinity of major industrial  and logistic corridors by supporting States, through challenge route. These planned academic zones will host multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes.

The  detailed  structure  of  the  scheme,  including  its  implementation  model,  key  components, priority sectors, and institutional arrangements, will be finalised through a consultative process. Broadly, the proposed university townships are envisaged to provide world-class academic and research infrastructure including innovation and incubation facilities, industry partnerships and sustainable urban amenities.

Selecting  of  locations  will  be  dependent  on  factors  such  as  availability  of  suitable  land, connectivity,  regional  educational  needs,  potential  for  industry  linkage,  balanced  regional development and environmental sustainability.

With India's Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector a growing industry, with projected requirement  of 2 million professionals  by  2030  in  the  Budget  2026-27 announcement has been made to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai in setting up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges.

Budget announcement of establishment of 1 girls' hostel in every district through VGF/capital aims to support women's participation in STEM as in higher education STEM Institutions prolonged hours of study and laboratory work pose some challenges for girl students.

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