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As the countdown to Union Budget 2026 begins, expectations across sectors are steadily rising. The Union Finance Minister is set to present the budget for the ninth consecutive time, and this year, the education sector is watching closely. From early childhood education to higher studies, stakeholders believe Budget 2026 could play a decisive role in shaping India’s future workforce by strengthening quality, access, and innovation in education.

With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as the guiding framework, experts and industry leaders are hopeful that the upcoming budget will bring a significant increase in allocation for education. The focus, they say, should be on turning policy intent into real, on-ground outcomes through sustained investment in teachers, infrastructure, and technology.

Education Sector’s Expectations from Budget 2026

As the budget for the next financial year approaches, education leaders expect the government to prioritise quality learning, skill development, and future readiness. Increased funding is seen as critical not only for building a strong talent base but also for supporting India’s long-term economic growth ambitions.

Stakeholders believe that higher budgetary support will help bridge learning gaps, modernise classrooms, and make education more inclusive across urban and rural areas. There is also a strong expectation that Budget 2026 will accelerate reforms aligned with NEP 2020, particularly in teacher training, vocational education, and digital infrastructure.

What Industry Leaders Are Saying

According to reports, Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman of the Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions, has stressed the need for budgetary provisions that are fully aligned with the recommendations of NEP 2020. He emphasised that education is a foundational sector that supports the growth of all other industries by nurturing skilled talent.

One of his key expectations from Budget 2026 is greater investment in teachers’ professional development. He believes that empowering teachers through structured training programs will directly improve learning outcomes. Jaipuria also highlighted the importance of vocational and skill-based education, calling for national-level programs and structured funding to support compulsory skill education introduced for Classes 6 to 8.

He further suggested that schools should place stronger emphasis on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, backed by adequate investment. This, he noted, is essential to ensure that schools in rural areas and smaller towns are not left behind. Additionally, he expects the budget to encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) to accelerate innovation and infrastructure development in education.

Focus on Infrastructure, Innovation, and Access

Echoing similar views, Shweta Shastri, Managing Director of Canadian International School, Bengaluru, pointed out that strengthening teaching quality, infrastructure, and innovation should be top priorities in Budget 2026. She believes that an increase in education allocation would support the establishment of new K-12 schools, enhance educational infrastructure, and reduce the learning gap between urban and rural regions.

Shastri also underlined the importance of improving government schools, where a large proportion of India’s children are enrolled. According to her, consistent funding can significantly raise standards in public education. She stressed that technology integration must remain a core focus so that high-quality education becomes accessible to all students, regardless of location.

Another major expectation highlighted by Shastri is relief on education loan interest rates, which could reduce financial pressure on families and expand access to quality higher education.

Digital Transformation and Skill Development

From a higher education and workforce perspective, Siddharth Banerjee, CEO of Univo Education, emphasised that India’s greatest strength lies in its large youth population. To fully leverage this demographic advantage, he believes Budget 2026 should prioritise skill-oriented talent development, faster digital transformation, and stronger institutional capacity.

Banerjee noted that increased investment in digital infrastructure would help expand high-quality online education. Stronger collaboration between academia and industry, he said, is essential to ensure that curricula remain aligned with employment needs and future job roles.

He also pointed out that robust digital infrastructure would support the growth of online degree programs, helping them gain mainstream acceptance. This, in turn, could contribute to achieving the ambitious target of 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2035, a key milestone in India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.

Looking Ahead

Overall, Budget 2026 is seen as a crucial opportunity to reinforce India’s education ecosystem—from kindergarten classrooms to postgraduate institutions. Stakeholders across the sector agree that higher funding, targeted reforms, and technology-driven solutions are essential to translate the goals of NEP 2020 into reality.

If these expectations are met, the upcoming budget could mark a turning point for Indian education, ensuring better learning outcomes, improved employability, and a stronger foundation for the country’s future growth.