SOCIAL FOCUS FOR VIKSIT BHARAT

Budget focuses on equitable prosperity by increasing accessibility to quality education, health care and social welfare programmes.

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Union Budget FY26 emphasises the government's strong commitment towards inclusion and equitable prosperity. The budget focuses on transformation of "garib, youth, anna daata and nari" by enhancing accessibility to quality education, health care, skilling opportunities, and social welfare programmes. Increased allocation for school education particularly for Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI School along with enhancements in higher education and skilling infrastructure would help in generating astrong pool of future-ready skilled workforce.

An enhanced budget allocation on improving health care investments, with significant allocations for Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABPMJAY) and National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is a welcome move. This budget also provides much needed support to boost entrepreneurship among women, marginalised and rural communities through the upcoming 'Scheme for First-time Entrepreneurs' and 'Rural Prosperity and Resilience' programme.

Education

The continued thrust on the implementation of the National Education Policy, 2020 is evident in the budget. The allocations to both the departments have seen a marked increase, the Department of School Education (16 per cent) has seen a more notable boost, as compared to the Department of Higher Education (8 per cent).

The flagship scheme-Samagra Shikshahas got an increase of 11 per cent since last year.

The 67 per cent hike in PM SHRI schools scheme would provide a momentum towards quality education. The decision to set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in the next five years and the provision of broadband connectivity across government secondary schools, would improve accessibility to quality learning resources and generate innovative mindsets. The allocation for setting centre of excellence in AI in education is a welcome step that will improve technology adoption at scale.