What IIM professor expects from Union Budget 2026-27 for education sector

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to unveil the Union Budget 2026, 27 on February 1. The Budget Session of Parliament commences on January 28 and the second half is scheduled from March 9 to April 2. The President will deliver the address to Parliament on January 28 and the Economic Survey will be laid on January 29.

The education sector has been setting up a high expectation from the Budget, hoping for initiatives that can raise the quality, increase the access, and bring education to the level of being globally competitive. Teachers point out the role of private universities as partners in national development and propose that the government should grant incentives for the collaboration of industry, academia, entrepreneurship, and faculty development.

Professor Kulbhushan Balooni, Vice, Chancellor of Birla Global University, said, "The Union Budget 2026, 27 must accord the status of strategic partners in the development of the nation to private universities. The government ought to empower such collaborations by providing a suitable policy and fiscal framework that would stimulate synergy, entrepreneurship, and faculty development. Private universities, by virtue of their large student base, are well, placed to impact the higher education system of India positively. We anticipate that the Budget will contain progressive and enabling measures."

"As India progresses towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by PM Modi, the Union Budget 2026, 27

needs to consider education as a strategic investment for sustained and inclusive growth. It would be critical to have balanced budget allocations for higher education, including faculty development, digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and research, to produce skilful leaders capable of realising this vision, " said Jaiswal.