Union Budget 2025: 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to be established in government schools over 5 years
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Synopsis
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces a plan to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years to foster innovation and scientific thinking among students. The budget also includes measures for improved connectivity and educational resources.
Key Takeaways
- 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to be set up.
- Broadband for schools under BharatNet.
- 100% increase in IIT students over 10 years.
- New Centre of Excellence in AI for education.
- Rs 20,000 crore for private sector research.
New Delhi, Feb 1 (NationPress) The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared on Saturday that 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs will be inaugurated in government schools within the next five years.
This initiative aims to nurture the spirit of curiosity and innovation while promoting a scientific mindset among young learners.
The Union Budget further suggests extending broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary health centres in rural regions through the BharatNet project.
In the realm of higher education, the Union Budget 2025-26 highlights a remarkable 100% increase in student enrollment across 23 IITs, rising from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh over the last decade.
While unveiling the Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament, Finance Minister Sitharaman stated that additional infrastructure will be established in the five IITs launched after 2014 to accommodate 6,500 more students.
The hostel and other facilities at IIT Patna will also see an expansion.
To enhance students' understanding of their subjects, FM Sitharaman proposed the implementation of the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme which aims to provide digital Indian language books for both school and higher education.
Additionally, the Union Finance Minister announced the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for skill development with global collaboration to equip the youth with necessary skills for the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.
This collaboration will encompass curriculum design, trainer training, a skills certification framework, and regular assessments.
The Union Budget also reveals plans to create a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for educational purposes with a total allocation of Rs 500 crore.
While presenting the Union Budget, FM Sitharaman disclosed an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore aimed at fostering private-sector-driven research, development, and innovation.
Over the next five years, under the PM Research Fellowship scheme, the provision of 10,000 fellowships for technological research at IITs and IISc with enhanced financial support is also proposed in the Budget.
Finance Minister Sitharaman has also suggested various initiatives to promote innovation.
