Hyderabad: UGC Chairman Highlights Increased Budget for Higher Education
The Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, announced a significant increase in the budget for higher education. The allocation has risen from Rs 46,482.35 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 50,077.95 crore in 2025-26, marking a 7.74% increase. He said this additional funding would help improve education quality, support research and innovation, and provide more opportunities for higher learning.
Prof. Kumar also welcomed the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak scheme, which aims to make digital learning resources available in Indian languages. This initiative promotes inclusivity and enriches education. The funding for the Indian Knowledge System has also increased significantly, from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore. This move will help researchers and institutions document and share India’s intellectual heritage. It will also support UGC’s project to prepare 22,000 textbooks in 22 Indian languages for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated Rs 16,146.11 crore to Central Universities, up from Rs 15,538.23 crore last year. This increase will allow these institutions to enhance their facilities, support research, and provide better education to students. Additionally, the budget for Centrally Sponsored Schemes has risen to Rs 1,815 crore, strengthening initiatives like PM-USHA and RUSA, which focus on benefiting students.
Financial aid for students has seen a significant boost, with Rs 2,160 crore allocated in the 2025-26 budget, marking a 68% increase. Prof. Kumar emphasized that this demonstrates the government’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all, regardless of financial background.
Several new initiatives have also been announced. Five National Centers of Excellence for Skilling will be established to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and improve their employability. A Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in education, with a budget of Rs 500 crore, will focus on using AI to transform learning. Infrastructure at five IITs will be expanded, with 5,000 additional seats created to enhance access to quality education. The budget for the Academic Bank of Credits, which digitizes academic credit storage, has also increased to Rs 16 crore.
The PM Research Fellowship scheme has been expanded to include 10,000 scholarships over the next five years. This initiative aims to boost technological research in premier institutions like IITs and IISc, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Another major step is the expansion of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, which will nurture scientific thinking and innovation among young students. Prof. Kumar noted that these measures, along with continued support for research and infrastructure development, will help strengthen the education system and prepare it for the future.
UGC remains committed to working with all stakeholders to implement these initiatives effectively. Prof. Kumar highlighted that these efforts align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will contribute to building a robust education system. “Together, we can create a future where education empowers, innovation thrives, and our youth lead the way toward a brighter tomorrow,” he said. The budget reflects the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
