New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) The Delhi Education Minister, Ashish Sood, praised the 2026-27 Budget presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, describing it as a people-centric Green Budget that embodies the aspirations of citizens and emphasizes the government’s commitment to the education sector.

Sood pointed out the significant allocations made for education, highlighting that the Rs 19,148 crore set aside represents the largest share (18.64 percent) of the entire budget, showcasing the government's priorities.

He noted that under Chief Minister Gupta's leadership, the BJP government in Delhi is persistently working towards economic and social advancement, actively implementing the Viksit Delhi Sankalp Patra 2025.

The Minister remarked that the budget transcends being just a numerical document; it shapes the trajectory and state of various economic sectors, including power, roads, and transport, as well as social sectors like education, health, and welfare for women and children.

Sood also compared the budget allocations, indicating that while the previous AAP government's budget for 2024–25 was Rs 76,000 crore, it surged to Rs 1,00,000 crore in 2025–26 and has now escalated to Rs 1,03,700 crore in 2026–27, reflecting an unwavering focus on development.

He emphasized the critical role of capital expenditure (Capex) in state development, which rose from Rs 15,089 crore in 2024–25 to Rs 28,115 crore in 2025–26, and subsequently to Rs 30,800 crore in 2026–27, indicating robust infrastructure growth and long-term progress.

As a result of these initiatives, Delhi’s GDP growth rate reached 8.53 percent in 2025–26, surpassing the national average of 7.4 percent. In contrast, it was 6.21 percent in 2024–25, which was lower than the national average of 6.5 percent. Likewise, per capita income saw a notable increase.

Average monthly income surged from Rs 23,676 in 2024–25 to Rs 25,453 in 2025–26, registering a 7.09 percent increase, which clearly indicates an enhancement in the citizens' living standards.

However, Sood reiterated that economic metrics like GDP growth, per capita income, and capital expenditure hold significance only when their advantages reach the everyday citizen.

The Education Minister affirmed that the 2026–27 Budget under Chief Minister Gupta embodies this vision and aligns closely with public aspirations.

One noteworthy initiative is the free bicycle program for 1.30 lakh girls in Class 9, allocated Rs 90 crore, which aims to foster girls’ education.

Additional initiatives include establishing medical facilities in all government schools, organizing exposure visits for students, and a Rs 10 crore budget to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into education, the Minister noted.

He also shared that Rs 200 crore has been designated for building new school infrastructure and Rs 275 crore for expanding existing schools. Moreover, Rs 50 crore is set aside for sports hostels, playgrounds, and swimming pools.

Sood mentioned that Rs 700 crore has been allocated for technical education with the goal of transforming Delhi’s youth from job seekers into job creators. The government is also pursuing the establishment of an innovation ecosystem through startup and incubation policies.