Union Budget 2024-25: Analyzing the 15% Reduction in Higher Education Grants and Increased Funding for School Education

 This decrease is a continuation of the trend where the overall education budget falls short of the National Education Policy (NEP) target of 6% of GDP.

The Union Budget for 2024-25 has allocated ₹1,20,628 crore to the Ministry of Education, reflecting a 7% decrease from the revised estimate of ₹1,29,718 crore for 2023-24. This decrease is a continuation of the trend where the overall education budget falls short of the National Education Policy (NEP) target of 6% of GDP.

The budget includes new initiatives but also reveals significant reductions, especially in higher education. Funding for higher education has been cut by 17%, while school education has seen a marginal increase. The budget's new schemes and investments in digital infrastructure are aimed at enhancing educational quality, but the reductions have raised concerns about their potential impact.

Overall Budget Allocation

Category	2022-23 Actual	2023-24 Revised Estimate	2024-25 Budget Estimate	% Change (23-24 RE to 24-25 BE)
Total Allocation	₹97,196 crore	₹1,29,718 crore	₹1,20,628 crore	-7%

School vs. Higher Education Allocation

Expenditure Head	2022-23 Actual	2023-24 Revised Estimate	2024-25 Budget Estimate	% Change (23-24 RE to 24-25 BE)
School Education	₹58,640 crore	₹72,474 crore	₹73,008 crore	+0.7%
Higher Education	₹38,557 crore	₹57,244 crore	₹47,620 crore	-17%

Budget Breakdown by Key Programs

Program	2022-23 Allocation	2023-24 Revised Estimate	2024-25 Budget Estimate	% Change (23-24 RE to 24-25 BE)
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan	₹31,000 crore	₹37,000 crore	₹37,500 crore	+1.4%
PM POSHAN Scheme	₹11,000 crore	₹12,500 crore	₹13,000 crore	+4%
University Grants Commission	₹21,000 crore	₹28,000 crore	₹24,000 crore	-14.3%
Technical Education	₹17,000 crore	₹22,000 crore	₹19,500 crore	-11.4%

New Initiatives and Investments

Initiative	Details
Interest Subvention on Education Loans	3% annual interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for one lakh students.
Digital Public Infrastructure	Investment in digital tools and resources to support educational institutions and bridge digital gaps.

Impact and Implications: The reduction in the overall education budget, particularly the substantial cut to higher education funding, has generated considerable discussion among educators, policymakers, and stakeholders. Critics argue that these cuts may adversely affect research quality and educational infrastructure. Conversely, the increased allocation to school education and new student support initiatives are seen as steps toward improving the foundational education system. The effectiveness of these measures will be assessed over the coming year to determine their impact on India’s educational advancement.

Overall, while the budget introduces positive new programs, the reductions and allocations require careful attention to ensure that educational progress is maintained and expanded.

• Pradhan: 'We Have to Bring Our Students Out of the World of Coaching Centres' Through Quality Education
• A Visionary Budget for a Prosperous and Skilled India: Prof. TG Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE