Budget 2021: Big money for research, new schools and a central university

On the face of it, the allocations towards higher-secondary and higher education in Budget 2021 appear underwhelming. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced setting up a Central university in Leh, “qualitative strengthening” of 15,000 schools under the National Education Policy, and the opening of 100 ‘Sainik’ or army schools. No clear-cut numbers were announced in the finance minister’s speech towards these budgetary allocations.

A total of Rs 40 crore, the finance minister announced was being set aside towards the opening of ‘Eklavya’ schools.

However, what she may not have delivered in terms of outright spending and allocation in education, Sitharaman has possibly made up for in allocation towards skilling and research.