New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament today, marking her eighth consecutive budget presentation under the Modi government. The budget includes significant announcements aimed at improving health infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, and enhancing skill development across the country.
One of the major highlights of the budget was the expansion of the medical education sector. The Finance Minister announced plans to add 75,000 new medical college seats over the next five years, with 10,000 new seats to be added in the next year itself. In a move to enhance cancer care, Sitharaman proposed the establishment of Day Care Cancer Centers in all district hospitals, with 200 centers planned for 2025-26.
The budget also proposed several initiatives in the education sector. As part of the government’s effort to make education more inclusive, Sitharaman revealed plans to provide digital books in Indian languages for both school and higher education. Furthermore, to cater to the growing demand for higher education, 6,500 additional seats will be created in IITs, with a focus on expanding infrastructure at IIT Patna.
A key focus of the budget was Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a proposal to establish a Center of Excellence in AI for Education with an outlay of ₹500 crore. This move aims to integrate AI into the education system and promote its use in research and development.
To improve the livelihoods of urban workers, the Finance Minister also announced an increase in the loan limit under the PM SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors, raising it to ₹30,000. This will provide greater financial relief to street vendors, improving their access to formal credit and helping them grow their businesses.
In the realm of skill development, Sitharaman announced the creation of 5 National Centers of Excellence for Skilling to equip youth with the necessary skills for “Make in India, Make for the World” manufacturing. These centers will focus on curriculum design, training of trainers, certification frameworks, and regular reviews to ensure quality training for youth.
The budget also emphasizes inclusive development across various sectors, with a particular focus on poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, youth employment, and strengthening the agriculture sector. The initiatives outlined aim to support the government’s vision of making India a self-reliant and globally competitive nation by the year 2030.
Overall, the Union Budget 2025-26 presents a comprehensive roadmap for improving healthcare, education, skill development, and urban livelihoods, with a focus on innovation and inclusivity. The proposals are expected to lay the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable economy in the coming years, benefiting a wide range of sectors and the population at large.
