Yet, the true measure of an education budget lies not in what it builds, but in what it enables in principle, on intellectual and social grounds. If approached thoughtfully, such a forum can support higher education institutions still grappling with aligning curriculum, pedagogy, and infrastructure with evolving market realities. The Budget’s attention to design education and creative capabilities, especially in the eastern region, is also noteworthy. The progressive outlook provided by the National Education Policy, 2020 gave a clear direction for higher education institutions to pivot towards a more future-looking, interdisciplinary mode of education system. The Budget gestures towards this possibility by recognising that education, science, design, and inclusion are deeply interconnected.

Source: Indian Express February 19, 2026 08:20 UTC