2026 Budget Expectations: Financing Student-Centric Programs
Education leaders and executives in the edtech sector are urging the government to allocate more targeted funding in the upcoming Budget 2026. They emphasize that increased investment in education is crucial for India’s goal of becoming a global hub for talent and education. Key areas of focus include enhancing skilling initiatives, improving digital learning infrastructure, and financing higher education, particularly in underdeveloped regions.
Call for Increased Education Spending
Ravin Nair, Managing Director of QS I-GAUGE, highlighted the necessity for the upcoming budget to prioritize educational outcomes, especially in less developed areas. He expressed hope for a significant increase in funding to bolster skilling initiatives and accelerate digital transformation. Nair pointed out that a strong education budget is vital for reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a global educational leader. He referenced the National Education Policy’s goal of raising education spending to 6% of GDP, which he believes is essential for achieving this vision.
Bridging the Employability Gap
Sanjay Salunkhe, Founder of Jaro Education, stressed the importance of recognizing education as a key economic driver in line with the Viksit Bharat vision. He argued that developing workforce readiness through practical skills and industry-aligned learning is crucial for India’s young population as they enter a competitive job market. Salunkhe also advocated for enhanced support for digital and online education to broaden access to higher education across various regions. He emphasized the need for a stronger higher education ecosystem that includes globally competitive curricula and deeper collaboration between universities and industries.
Focus on Structural Reforms
Swapnil Sahoo, a faculty member at the Great Lakes Institute of Management, pointed out that while graduate employability has improved, significant gaps remain between academic training and industry requirements. He called for Budget 2026 to go beyond mere headline allocations and incentivize targeted initiatives, such as ‘Last-Mile Skilling,’ to address the needs of the gig economy workforce. Other education leaders echoed this sentiment, with Vineet Gupta from Jamboree Education expressing hope for continued reforms in higher education, including the establishment of the National Research Foundation.
Enhancing Digital Learning Impact
Sumeet Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder of LEAD Group, emphasized the need to shift focus from merely increasing access to ensuring impactful classroom experiences. He noted that as digital learning becomes integral to education, the challenge lies in translating potential into tangible results. Mehta called for budgetary support for digital infrastructure and teacher training, suggesting that rationalizing GST on essential educational materials could significantly alleviate financial burdens. Vinu Warrier, Managing Partner and Founder of eduVelocity, added that the sector is looking for structural reforms rather than incremental funding, advocating for a student-centric financing model to make higher education more accessible for middle-income families.
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