Budget 2021 for Education Sector

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, February 01, 2021, presented the Union Budget 2021 in Parliament. In her Union Budget Speech 2021, the FM announced some of the key measures for the education sector.

Ministry of education got an allocation of Rs 93,224 crores. Of the total, the school education and literacy section was allotted the majority of funds with Rs 54873.66 crore, and the remaining Rs 38,350.65 crore was allotted to the higher education sector. Last year, govt had allocated Rs 99300 crore for the education sector, with an additional allocation of Rs 3000 crore for skill development.

Some key measures including:

• Over 15,000 schools to be qualitatively strengthened under National Education Policy 2021
• National Language translation mission to translate policy-related information that will be available on the internet in regional languages. This is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises creating content and delivery of content in regional languages.
• 100 new Sainik Schools to be set up in partnership with NGOs
• Govt proposes to amend the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to enhance opportunities for youth
• In Budget 201-20, the govt had announced about setting-up of Higher Education Commission of India. Govt will introduce Legislation this year to implement the same. It will be an Umbrella body having 4 separate vehicles for standard-setting, accreditation, regulation, and funding.
• Govt to set-up 750 Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas.
• FM says modalities worked out for national research foundation; earmarks Rs 50,000 cr over five years
• Post Matric Scholarship schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes enhanced. Govt allocated a budget of Rs 35,21 cr for 6 years till 2025-26, to benefit 4 cr SC students.
• Central University to be set up in Leh apprenticeship for graduates and diploma holders, the Union Budget 2021 has focussed on skilling students.