Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed plans to establish a ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee aimed at enhancing the services sector’s role in driving Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative seeks to position India as a global services leader with a 10% global market share. The committee will focus on areas to boost growth, employment, and exports, while also evaluating the impact of technologies like AI on job requirements.
The Finance Minister highlighted the rapid growth of the Indian design industry alongside a shortage of local designers. To address this, the Budget proposes the creation of a new National Institute of Design in the eastern region through a challenge-based approach. Additionally, the government will assist states in establishing five University Townships near key industrial and logistic hubs to accommodate various educational and research institutions.
Recognizing challenges faced by female students in STEM institutions due to extended study hours, the Budget suggests setting up one girls’ hostel in each district through value gap funding. Furthermore, to enhance astrophysics and astronomy education, the Budget outlines plans to establish or upgrade four Telescope Infrastructure facilities, including the National Large Solar Telescope and the COSMOS 2 Planetarium.
In a Budget focused on empowering the youth and prioritizing the disadvantaged, the Finance Minister reiterated India’s commitment to progressing towards Viksit Bharat while ensuring inclusivity and ambition go hand in hand.
