As India gears up for the Union Budget 2025, the education sector is abuzz with hopes of transformative reforms. With a focus on enhancing digital infrastructure and addressing funding gaps, stakeholders are eager for a budget that paves the way for a future-ready education system.
On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver her eighth Budget speech, and the sector is eagerly awaiting announcements that could shape India’s education landscape for years to come.
The sector’s demands are varied, with calls for increased integration of technology, higher public funding, and better access to higher education. As the budget draws closer, educators, industry leaders, and institutions are stressing the need for policies that align with global education trends while tackling the unique challenges of India’s diverse education system.
“A forward-looking approach could allocate funding for emerging disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and other cutting-edge fields. Subsidising course fees for both freshers and professionals would encourage greater participation in lifelong learning and upskilling,” Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro, said.
“Such initiatives, when offered through premiere institutions like IITs and IIMs, would foster an inclusive and competitive workforce. Aligning these measures with national missions like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ would reinforce India’s global leadership in innovation and manufacturing. Investments in upskilling across technological and non-technological domains are key to advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat.”
One of Srikrishna’s key recommendations is to reduce or eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on EdTech services, bringing it down to 5%. This, he argues, would make education more affordable and broaden access to upskilling programs, allowing a wider range of learners to benefit from these resources.
“Reducing GST on EdTech services to 5% or eliminating it would make education more affordable, broadening access to upskilling programs and engaging diverse learners,” he said.
He also proposed recognizing and accrediting short-term, stackable micro-credential programs from EdTech providers for academic credits. These programs, he believes, will bridge skill gaps and significantly enhance employability, preparing students for the evolving job market. He also stressed the importance of subsidizing professional development courses for faculty to raise teaching standards.
“Subsidising professional development courses for faculty would raise teaching standards, aligning institutions with global benchmarks,” he explained.
With these proposals, Srikrishna believes the Union Budget can help build a future-ready workforce that is not only equipped with the right skills but also prepared to drive India’s sustained growth and global leadership.
“By implementing these measures, the Union Budget can cultivate a skilled, future-ready workforce, driving India’s sustained growth and global leadership.”
