According to the allocation made by the finance ministry, the Department of School Education and Literacy has gone up by INR 5564 Cr i.e. to INR 78572.10 crore.
Union Budget 2025 for the Department of School Education and Literacy, Higher Education
Union Budget 2025: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Education Budget 2025 in Parliament today, February 1, 2025, allocating a total of INR 128650.05 crore to the education sector. This includes funding for the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Department of Higher Education. The education budget emphasizes several new initiatives and increased allocations to support the development and growth of India’s education system.
Detailed Allocation of Budget 2025-26 for Education Sector
For the financial year 2025-26, the total allocation for the education sector stands at INR 128650.05 crore. Below is a breakdown of the budget allocation for the two key departments under the Ministry of Education.
Department of School Education and Literacy gets INR 78572.10 Crore
The school Education and Literacy department has been allocated approximately 61% of the total education budget for 2025-26. This allocation will support various educational schemes and initiatives aimed at strengthening school education across the country.
Department of Higher Education gets INR 50077.95 Crore
The Department of Higher Education has been allocated 39% of the total budget, supporting the growth and expansion of India’s higher education institutions.
| Department | 2024-25 Allocation (INR Crore) | 2025-26 Allocation (INR Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| School Education & Literacy | 73,008.10 | 78,572.10 |
| Higher Education | 47,619.77 | 50,077.95 |
| Total | 1,24,638.77 | 1,28,650.05 |
Key Budget Highlights
-
Increased Allocation for PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)
The budget allocation for PM SHRI saw a significant increase of INR 1,450 crore, taking the total to INR 7500 crore. This initiative aims to upgrade over 15,000 schools to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. -
Increased Funding for Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)
The allocation for the PM POSHAN scheme, which focuses on providing mid-day meals, has been increased to INR 12500 crore, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving nutrition and education for schoolchildren. -
Boost for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS)
The STARS project, which is supported by the World Bank, has again received an allocation of INR 1,250 crore. This initiative aims to enhance educational outcomes in states across the country.
Major Expenditure Heads under the Department of School Education and Literacy
The Department of School Education and Literacy has several key initiatives and expenditure heads under which the funds will be allocated. Below are the key figures for the financial year 2024-25:
| Expenditure Head | 2024-25 Allocation (INR Crore) | 2025-26 Allocation (INR Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Samagra Shiksha | 37,500 | 41,249.98 |
| Autonomous Bodies (including KVS and NVS) | 15,638.67 | 15,430.58 |
| Total Centrally Sponsored Schemes (including PM POSHAN) | 57,427.39 | 62,660.00 |
The Samagra Shiksha scheme, which focuses on holistic education, has been allocated INR 41249.98 crore. The allocation for Autonomous Bodies, which includes Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), has been decreased to INR 15430.58 crore. Meanwhile, the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including the PM POSHAN scheme, have been increased to INR 62660.00 crore.
The Union Budget 2025 outlines several ambitious plans for the education sector, with substantial increases in allocations to support both school and higher education initiatives. The government's continued focus on sustainability, education for all, and the integration of technology in learning reflects a commitment to building a strong and resilient education system for the future. The budget also emphasizes the expansion and improvement of existing schemes like PM SHRI and PM POSHAN, ensuring that quality education and nourishment reach every corner of the country.
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