UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar praises Union Budget, says will enrich educational experience

Describing the Union Budget as a “forward-thinking” initiative focused on skill development, innovation, and inclusivity, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar on Feb 1 said the initiative will enrich the educational experience and bring inclusivity.

“The substantial increase in the budget allocation for higher education, from ₹46,482.35 crore in 2024-25 to ₹50,077.95 crore in 2025-26, represents a significant 7.74% rise. This increased investment will further enhance the quality of education, support research and innovation, and expand access to higher learning opportunities for all,” Kumar said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak scheme to ensure access to digital learning resources in Indian languages.

Kumar pointed out the substantial increase in funding for the Indian Knowledge System, which has risen from ₹10 crore to ₹50 crore in the 2025-26 budget. He emphasized that this boost will empower researchers and institutions to explore, document, and disseminate India's invaluable intellectual contributions.

“This move will significantly aid UGC’s efforts to prepare 22,000 textbooks for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in 22 Indian languages,” he added.

Pertinently, the Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹16,146.11 crore to Central Universities, up from ₹15,538.23 crore in the previous fiscal year.

“This additional funding will enable these institutions to enhance their infrastructure, support research initiatives, and provide quality education to students nationwide. The budget for Centrally Sponsored Schemes has also increased to ₹1,815 crore, strengthening PM-USHA and RUSA, ultimately benefitting students,” he noted.

Kumar also commended the significant increase in student financial aid to ₹2,160 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26, marking a boost of over 68%. “This underscores the government’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all, regardless of financial background,” he said.

The Union government has announced the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and enhance their employability.

According to Kumar, the creation of a Centre of Excellence for AI in education, with an outlay of Rs 500 crore, underscores the government’s recognition of AI’s transformative potential and its role in shaping the future of learning.

“Expanding and upgrading infrastructure for five IITs and adding 5,000 additional seats will significantly boost access to quality higher education. The budget for digitising the storage system for academic credits through the Academic Bank of Credits has also increased to Rs 16 crore,” he noted.

While presenting the budget, Sitharaman announced that 10,000 fellowships will be provided under the PM Research Fellowship scheme over the next five years.

Experts believe this move could significantly strengthen technological research in premier institutions. The expansion of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs was also lauded by Kumar. This initiative aims to promote scientific thinking, creativity, and hands-on learning among students.

“It reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a scientific temper and nurturing the next generation of innovators from an early age,” he noted.