Education Budget 2024: Focus on Holistic Development and Quality Education

In a significant move towards advancing the education sector, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the Interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 today, unveiling a total outlay of ₹1,20,627.87 crore for the Education Ministry. The School Education Department, allocated ₹73,008.10 crore, experienced a marginal increase of ₹4,203.25 crore compared to the previous year’s budget.

Key highlights of the School Education Budget include a substantial boost to the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative, receiving ₹6050 crore for the upcoming fiscal year, a notable increase from ₹2800 crore in the revised estimates of 2023-24. The budgets for Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) have been amplified to ₹9302.67 crore and ₹5800 crore, respectively, signaling a commitment to strengthening these key educational institutions.

However, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) witnessed a slight reduction in its allocation, settling at ₹510 crore from ₹518.50 crore. The Samagra Shiksha scheme, the nation’s largest school education initiative, secured a budget of ₹37500 crore, a slight increase from the previous year.

The Higher Education Department also witnessed a surge in allocation, with ₹47,619.77 crore earmarked for the next financial year, up from ₹44,094.62 crore in the current fiscal year.

Overall, the Education Ministry’s budget reflects a commitment to holistic development, emphasizing quality education and the well-being of students across the country. The allocations underscore the government’s dedication to nurturing a robust education system that empowers future generations.