FM Nirmala Sitharaman allocates ₹99,300 crore for education sector in FY21

From steps to attract external commercial borrowing, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the education sector to online education programmes, the education sector of the Union Budget has set a few ambitious targets.

With the education outlay of the budget at ₹99,300 crores, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also proposed launching of a programme for urban local bodies to provide opportunities for internships to young engineers.

She added that to ensure underprivileged students get an opportunity to pursue higher education, an online education programme will be launched.

“The degree-level full-fledged online education programme will also be offered by institutes in top 100 in National Institutional Ranking Framework,” she said.

A national police university, national forensic science and cyber forensic university are also being proposed. With the country becoming a destination for higher education for students from across the globe, an exam system has also been proposed. IND-SAT will be conducted for Asian and African students seeking admission at institutes in the country.

At the skill development side, ₹3,000 crore has been allocated.

In order to bridge the gap between skills available and the skills required for teachers, nurses, caregivers and paramedic staff, a special bridge course will be designed.

The government will also announce the new education policy, for which it has already received over 2 lakh suggestions from across stakeholders in the country.