THE UNION BUDGET 2026-27 PROPOSES HIGH-POWERED ‘EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT AND ENTERPRISE’ STANDING COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND MEASURES ON THE SERVICES SECTOR

NEW NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE EASTERN REGION OF INDIA THROUGH CHALLENGE ROUTE

CREATION OF 5 UNIVERSITY TOWNSHIPS IN THE VICINITY OF MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND LOGISTIC CORRIDORS

1 GIRLS’ HOSTEL WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN EVERY DISTRICT THROUGH VGF/CAPITAL SUPPORT

4 TELESCOPE INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES TO BE SET UP OR UPGRADED TO PROMOTE ASTROPHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament today. The Union Budget proposes to set up a High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee to recommend measures that focus on the Services Sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat. This will make India a global leader in services, with a 10% global share by 2047. The Committee will prioritise areas to optimise the potential for growth, employment and exports. They will also assess the impact of emerging technologies, including AI, on jobs and skill requirements and propose measures thereof.

The Indian design industry is expanding rapidly and yet there is a shortage of Indian designers. The Union Budget proposes to establish, through challenge route, a new National Institute of Design to boost design education and development in the eastern region of India.

The Government will support States, through challenge route, in creating 5 University Townships in the vicinity of major industrial and logistic corridors. These planned academic zones will host multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes.

In the Higher Education STEM institutions, prolonged hours of study and laboratory work pose some challenges for girl students. The Union Budget proposes to establish 1 girls’ hostel in every district through VGF/capital support.

To promote Astrophysics and Astronomy via immersive experiences, 4 Telescope Infrastructure facilities will be set up or upgraded - the National Large Solar Telescope, the National Large Optical infrared Telescope, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the COSMOS 2 Planetarium.

Union Budget proposes high-powered committee to boost services sector, establish design institute, townships, hostels, and telescopes. The Budget proposes a High-Powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee to drive Services Sector growth toward a 10% global share by 2047, assessing technology impacts including AI on jobs and skills. It also proposes a National Institute of Design in the eastern region via challenge route; five University Townships near major industrial and logistic corridors via challenge route; one girls' hostel per district through VGF/capital support; and establishment or upgrading of four telescope infrastructure facilities to promote astrophysics and astronomy.