Education Budget 2025: Rs 500 cr allocated for 5 centres of excellence in AI, IITs and medical colleges to see expansion

Education Budget 2025: Rs 500 crore allocated for AI, IIT and medical college expansion

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Education Budget 2025 today, detailing an ambitious strategy to bolster India’s educational infrastructure. The Budget highlights the allocation of Rs 500 crore for establishing five national skilling centres with international expertise and the expansion of both Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and medical colleges.Additionally, the Budget focuses on enhancing the quality and accessibility of education, while preparing students for a rapidly evolving technological and healthcare landscape. Here are the key highlights of the Education Budget.
Rs 500 Crore for AI Centres of Excellence
A major initiative under the Education Budget 2025 is the creation of five national skilling centres with international expertise., backed by a Rs 500 crore investment. These Centres will collaborate with leading academic institutions and provide cutting-edge research, skill-building, and upskilling programmes in AI and related fields. The goal is to bridge the skill gap in AI, which has been identified as a key driver for global growth in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
Expansion of IITs
The government plans to expand five IITs, adding 5,000 new seats and upgrading infrastructure, particularly at IIT Patna, to accommodate a growing student population and improve facilities.
Medical Education Expansion
10,000 new medical seats will be added next year as part of a five-year plan to increase medical education capacity to 75,000 seats, addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals.
Broadband Connectivity for Schools and Healthcare Centres
The budget includes a plan to provide broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centres, enhancing access to education and healthcare across the country.
50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs
To encourage innovation, 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs will be established over the next five years. These labs will help students explore science, technology, and engineering through hands-on learning.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak Scheme
The Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak scheme will make Indian language books available digitally for schools and universities, promoting inclusive education and preserving regional languages.
National Centres for Skilling Excellence
The government will set up five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling, offering specialized vocational training with global expertise to prepare students for emerging job markets.
PM Research Fellowship
To promote research, the government will offer 10,000 PM Research Fellowships at IITs and IISc Bangalore, providing enhanced financial support to top students in science and technology.