Education Budget 2025: Dharmendra Pradhan outlines IIT seat expansion, plans for PMRF 2.0, Atal Tinkering Labs

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan outlined key developments in the Education Budget 2025, emphasising innovation, skill development, and multilingual education as pillars of 'Viksit Bharat'. Speaking about the a significant feature of the Education Budget 2025 is the expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs. Initially piloted with a focus on innovation at school level, the government plans to establish 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs over the next five years. Budget 2025 LIVE

"This quantum jump is expected to provide students with hands-on experience in technology and innovation, preparing them for future careers in emerging fields", Pradhan said.

Strengthening IITs: 21st century course, seat expansion

Pradhan noted that IITs will see a substantial increase in student intake as part of the government's initiative to turn these institutions into 'innovation universities'. The total number of students at IITs, which stood at 65,000 when Prime Minister Modi took office, will rise significantly as the IITs expand their seat capacity .

Moreover, the IITs will offer newer 21st-century courses that cater to evolving technological fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Biotechnology, aligning with global trends and industry needs.

Pradhan also shared that 6,500 new seats will be added to the third-generation IITs, with most of the new seats being at the entry level. These additions will be phased in over the next five years, ensuring that more students have access to world-class education and research facilities.

PMRF 2.0 to boost research capabilities in top institutions

Pradhan also announced the completion of Phase 1 of the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) program, which played a key role in promoting research at IITs and the Indian Institute of Science (IISC). The government is now set to launch PMRF 2.0 in 2025-26 , which will further boost research capabilities in India's top institutions.

The National Education Policy (NEP) continues to play crucial role in shaping India’s educational framework, and Pradhan as it gives importance to multilingual education. With the introduction of multiple regional languages, higher education is now more inclusive, offering engineering and medical courses in regional languages.

The government has also rolled out the Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak Yojna, a scheme to support the development of resources in Indian languages.

"In line with its vision to make India a global skill hub, the government is investing in skill development centers** that will cater to various functions and industries. The creation of Deep Technology funds aims to support startups and foster innovation in cutting-edge technologies. These initiatives will empower India’s youth to become not just job seekers but job creators, contributing to the country’s economic growth", Pradhan said.

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas budget cut

Pradhan also addressed the recent reduction in the budget for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). "The cut in JNV will be adjusted in the buget estimate. Infact to add on we have established 25 new JNV", Pradhan added. The funding for JNV schools slashed by Rs 495 crore from Rs 5,800 crore planned to be spent this year, bringing it closer to Rs 5,371 crore’s revised estimate.

The overall education budget has seen a 6.2% increase, emphasising the government’s focus on enhancing the quality and accessibility of education across the country. Pradhan noted that the education budget 2025 is not a traditional one, but a futuristic budget designed to address the needs of a rapidly evolving world.