New Delhi: In a transformative move to bolster India’s innovation landscape, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today proposed several groundbreaking initiatives in the Union Budget 2025-26 aimed at nurturing the spirit of innovation and scientific temper among India’s youth.
Atal Tinkering Labs and Broadband Connectivity for Rural Schools
As part of the government’s push for innovation, the Finance Minister announced plans to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools across the country within the next five years. These labs aim to cultivate curiosity and foster scientific temper among young minds, providing them with hands-on experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Sitharaman also unveiled plans to extend broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary health centres in rural areas as part of the Bharatnet project, which will ensure access to digital education and healthcare for students and citizens in rural India.
Strengthening Higher Education with New Centres and Infrastructure
In a significant boost to India’s higher education system, the Finance Minister highlighted the 100% increase in student intake at the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) over the past decade, with the number of students rising from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh. She also announced plans to expand infrastructure at the 5 new IITs, which were established after 2014, enabling 6,500 more students to pursue education at these prestigious institutions. Additionally, the IIT Patna will see an expansion in hostel and infrastructure facilities.
To further promote learning and understanding in India’s classrooms, Sitharaman proposed the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, aimed at making Indian language books available in digital form for both school and higher education.
Skilling for Future Manufacturing and AI Integration
Recognizing the changing needs of the job market, the Union Budget 2025-26 announced the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for skilling in various sectors related to “Make for India, Make for the World” manufacturing. These centres will focus on global expertise and partnerships to ensure curriculum design, trainer development, and skills certification, along with regular updates to stay relevant to the evolving industry demands.
Additionally, in an effort to position India at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Finance Minister proposed the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in AI for education, with an outlay of ₹500 crore to support research, innovation, and development in AI-related fields.
Research, Development, and Technological Innovation
With a sharp focus on technological advancements and innovations, Sitharaman announced an allocation of ₹20,000 crore to drive private-sector led Research, Development, and Innovation. The funding will promote cutting-edge research in critical sectors. Furthermore, the PM Research Fellowship scheme will be enhanced with a provision for 10,000 fellowships in technological research at IITs and IISc in the next five years, providing enhanced financial support to young researchers.
A Vision for Growth
The Union Budget 2025-26 positions education, innovation, and technological development as critical pillars for India’s growth and global competitiveness. With initiatives ranging from establishing new centres of excellence in AI, skilling for future industries, and increased focus on R&D, the government is laying the groundwork for a knowledge-driven economy that benefits all sections of society, especially the youth.