The Centers interim budget reduces money for education and UGC by 61%.

India's interim budget for education has been cut by 7%, with a 61% reduction in funding for the UGC.In contrast to the revised projection amount for 2023–24, the interim budget announced on Thursday allotted ₹1.2 lakh crore for education, a decline of approximately 7%. However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had its funding cut by 61%, the biggest reduction in at least five years.The Union government has allocated ₹73,008.10 crore for schools out of the total outlay, a slight rise of 0.73% from the revised estimate for 2023–2024, according to the budget paper. Higher education has been allocated ₹47,619.77 crore, a severe decrease of ₹9,600 crore (16.8%).The Union Ministry of Education, however, asserted that a 19.5% increase in the budget for school education was necessary because the finance ministry's budget paper did not match the overall updated estimate."It now includes the updated figures that were previously referenced in the budget document. But it ought to be computed without it, according to a senior government official.At the time this report was submitted, the budget paper had not been altered.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized during her budget speech that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to transform education. She also stated that the focus will be on empowering the "Amrit Peedhi," or the generation that will grow during Amrit Kaal, or the 25 years leading up to 2047.The youth's proper empowerment and education are essential to our prosperity. Revolutionary changes are being ushered in by the National Education Policy 2020.

In a 58-minute lecture, she stated, "PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) are delivering quality teaching and nurturing holistic and well-rounded individuals."Funding for UGC was, however, drastically reduced. A revised estimate of ₹6,409 crore in 2023–24 was the amount allotted; this was reduced to ₹2,500 crore in 2024–25.Concerns were expressed by experts about the UGC budget cut. Assistant professor Rajesh Jha of Delhi University stated, "Grants was eliminated and reduced to a mere regulatory agency due to the drastic cut in UGC funding." Universities will be further encouraged to launch more self-financed courses as a result, adding to the load already placed on students. Additionally, it will increase institutions' reliance on HEFA (Higher Education Financing Agency) loans.The reduction has occurred at a time when institutions are planning to introduce four-year programs and would require extra funding to accommodate more students at a time, according to Abha Dev Habib, an associate professor of mathematics at Miranda House College of Delhi University. What will the universities do? She said, "The government ought to take this into account. In a statement, UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar stated that the commission is still dedicated to upholding its primary responsibility of promoting high-quality higher education. "It will persist in collaborating with all relevant parties to guarantee the effective utilization of allotted finances." He expressed confidence that the allocation of resources strategically and the transformative vision of NEP 2020 will result in the establishment of a learner-centric higher education system in India.