Union Budget 2026 to Strengthen India’s Education Ecosystem with Focus on Learning Outcomes and Digital Inclusion

 By Ms. Devyani Jaipuria, Chairperson, Dharav High School Pro Vice-Chairperson, DPS International Gurugram & DPS Sector 45

Building on the strong foundation laid by recent education reforms, the upcoming Union Budget presents an important opportunity to further strengthen India’s education ecosystem. Today, nearly 25 crore children are enrolled in schools, and over 4 crore youth are pursuing higher education reflecting sustained policy focus on improving access across the country.

As India moves into the next phase of educational reform, the focus must increasingly shift towards improving learning outcomes and future readiness. Foundational literacy and skill development continue to require attention, even as the country prepares its youth for a rapidly evolving, digital economy. Strengthening these outcomes is critical to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat and building a globally competitive workforce.

This transformation calls for sustained and strategic public investment in education. A calibrated move towards the long-articulated target of 6 per cent of GDP for education spending would significantly strengthen institutional capacity and learning infrastructure. Equally important is bridging the digital divide. While virtual and blended learning models have expanded learning opportunities, ensuring equitable access to devices, connectivity, and digital classrooms will be key to making these reforms truly inclusive. The upcoming Budget can play a pivotal role in enabling every Indian child to benefit from technology-enabled learning