Strengthening Higher Education: Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils Key Initiatives in Budget 2025

IITs Expansion Continues: Government Allocates Rs 10,659 Crore for Infrastructure

In the latest budget announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled several initiatives to bolster higher education in India. Among the key measures is the addition of 10,000 medical seats within a year, contributing to a broader plan to add 75,000 seats over the next five years. She also highlighted the growth of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which have expanded to 23 institutions, excluding IIT Zanzibar and IIT Abu Dhabi. Over the past decade, the number of students graduating from these IITs has doubled from 65,000 to 135,000, reflecting significant progress in the country’s higher education sector.

Sitharaman announced the creation of additional infrastructure in five IITs established after 2014 to accommodate 6,500 more students. However, the exact identity of these five IITs was unclear, as the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology recognizes seven IITs established after 2014: IIT Palakkad and IIT Tirupati in 2015, and IITs at Dhanbad, Bhilai, Goa, Jammu, and Dharwad in 2016. Additionally, she mentioned plans to expand the hostel and other infrastructure at IIT Patna. The Budget allocated Rs 10,659 crore for IITs, a 9.8% increase from Rs 9,703 crore in the revised estimates for 2024-25.

She announced the addition of a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for AI in education, with a total outlay of Rs 500 crore, of which Rs 200 crore would come from the Budget and Rs 300 crore from extra-budgetary sources. She recalled her previous budget proposal for three CoEs in AI, focused on agriculture, health, and sustainable cities. However, she noted that only Rs 110 crore of the Rs 255 crore allocated for AI CoEs in the 2024-25 Budget had been spent, according to revised estimates.

Additionally, the PM Research Fellowship scheme was introduced, offering 10,000 fellowships over the next five years for technological research in IITs and IISc. Eligible students from top B. Tech, M.Tech, or M.Sc. programs will receive direct PhD admission, with a stipend of Rs 70,000-80,000 per month, along with a Rs 2 lakh research grant for foreign travel. Up to 3,000 fellows will be selected annually for three years. Lastly, Sitharaman highlighted that the government had added about 1.1 lakh undergraduate and postgraduate medical education seats over the past decade, marking a 130% increase. She stated that 10,000 more seats would be added in medical colleges and hospitals in the coming year, with a target of 75,000 additional seats over the next five years. This year’s budget’s initiatives reflect a strong commitment to strengthening India’s higher education infrastructure, particularly in technical and medical fields.

Editor's Note

The latest budget announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman marks a significant step forward in strengthening India's higher education sector. The addition of 10,000 medical seats within a year, along with a broader plan to add 75,000 seats over the next five years, demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding educational opportunities. The growth of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to 23 institutions and the doubling of graduates over the past decade highlight the progress made in this sector. The creation of additional infrastructure in five IITs established after 2014, along with the expansion of IIT Patna, will accommodate more students and enhance the quality of education. The allocation of Rs 10,659 crore for IITs, a 9.8% increase from the previous year, underscores the government's dedication to supporting these premier institutions. The establishment of a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for AI in education, with a total outlay of Rs 500 crore, and the PM Research Fellowship scheme offering 10,000 fellowships over the next five years, will foster technological research and innovation.

Skoobuzz believes that the new budget's focus on higher education will elevate India's position globally, attract international talent, and contribute to the nation's long-term economic growth and development.