Education entrepreneurs and skilling experts believe the upcoming Budget presents a critical opportunity to reinforce education as a long-term economic growth engine. Dr Sanjay Salunkhe, Founder of Jaro
Education, told Mint that continued recognition of education as a core driver of productivity and innovation is essential to sustaining the Viksit Bharat vision, particularly through wider access to credible higher and executive education for working professionals across regions.
Anant Bengani, Cofounder and Director of Zell Education, echoed the sentiment, saying Budget 2026 can chart a clearer path toward Viksit Bharat by accelerating India’s human-capital transformation. He highlighted the need for outcome-led skilling, industry-aligned learning, and practical capabilities to help India’s young and working population compete in an increasingly skills-driven job market.
Several leaders underlined expectations around financial relief and structural reforms. Dr Kamal Chhabra, Founder and CEO of KC GlobEd, pointed to stronger support for personal finance education, tax benefits on professional courses, reduced GST on edtech services, simplified access to education loans, and higher public spending on digital learning infrastructure as key Budget 2026 asks.
Ease of access and inclusion featured prominently in industry feedback. Edtech founders expect targeted investments in digital learning infrastructure, inclusive broadband connectivity, and next-generation platforms to ensure quality education reaches learners beyond metros. Enhanced education loans, interest subsidies, and tax benefits for students and parents are also being sought to make quality higher education more affordable.
Skilling and upskilling aligned with industry needs—especially in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced digital technologies—remain a core expectation from Budget 2026. Industry leaders argue that education and skilling should be treated as economic infrastructure rather than social expenditure, with stronger emphasis on employability, blended learning models, and industry-academia collaboration.
AI-led disruption of jobs has further sharpened expectations. Edtech executives believe Budget 2026 should allocate dedicated funding for AI-enabled learning tools, assessment systems, virtual learning environments, and large-scale reskilling initiatives. Targeted financial allocations, they say, can convert policy intent into impact by strengthening apprenticeships, faculty upskilling, and digital public platforms such as DIKSHA and SWAYAM.
With the Budget to be unveiled on February 1, the sector is watching closely for signals that education and edtech will be firmly positioned at the heart of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap.
