Lucknow, February 20 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presented UP’s largest-ever budget for 2025-26, totaling Rs 8.08 lakh crore—a 9.8% increase from 2024-25. This year, the government prioritizes education, focusing on expanding schemes and integrating modern and technical learning.

During his budget speech in the assembly, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna announced significant measures to strengthen the state’s education system, emphasising girls' education and modern infrastructure.

To promote girls' education, the government is prioritizing upgrading 680 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas to Class 12, ensuring free residential education for girls from weaker sections. Additionally, 57 new Chief Minister Model Composite Schools have been approved, designed to offer integrated education from pre-primary to Class 12 with state-of-the-art facilities. Construction for 22 schools is underway in the current financial year, with each school costing Rs 25 crore. Furthermore, Rs 5 crore per school has been allocated for furniture and equipment.

The Budget also proposes Rs 2,000 crore for enhancing infrastructure in primary and upper primary schools under the Basic Education Council. Under the PM Shri Yojana, Rs 580 crore has been allocated to introduce smart education in selected schools, whereas Rs 300 crore from the state fund will convert all primary schools into smart schools under the Samagra Shiksha Yojana.

Other provisions include Rs 350 crore for school bags, Rs 168 crore for free uniforms, and approximately Rs 38 crore for examination fee reimbursements in council and aided non-government upper primary schools.

To further strengthen secondary and higher education, the budget earmarks Rs 666 crore for various programs under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 479 crore for the construction, expansion, electrification, and purchase of land and buildings for government higher secondary schools, and Rs 150 crores for infrastructure development in aided non-government secondary schools.

Additionally, Rs 80 crore has been allocated for a state-of-the-art digital library, Rs 25 crore for the construction of Uttar Pradesh Sainik School in Lucknow, and Rs 13 crore for building government Sanskrit schools.

With these initiatives, the Yogi government prioritises quality education, technological advancement, and inclusive learning opportunities across Uttar Pradesh.

A provision of Rs 20 crore has been made in the Budget for scholarships to students studying Sanskrit in secondary schools. Strengthening the state’s military education infrastructure, Gorakhpur district now hosts Purvanchal’s first and Uttar Pradesh’s second Sainik School. Additionally, construction of an NCC Training Academy has commenced in Gorakhpur, with Rs 20 crore earmarked for the project.

Under the Sports for School program, various initiatives are being undertaken to nurture young sporting talent. In the recently concluded 68th National School Sports Competitions, Uttar Pradesh’s boys and girls performed outstanding, securing 99 medals, including 25 gold, 24 silver, and 50 bronze.

Highlighting advancements in technical education, the Finance Minister announced that training is being provided in 184 diploma-level institutions across the state, with 36 government polytechnics currently under construction. To enhance learning, 251 smart classrooms have been established in government polytechnics.

Additionally, Rs 100 crore has been allocated for setting up technology-driven Centers of Excellence in government polytechnics, Rs 10 crore for renovating smart classrooms and laboratories, and Rs 1 crore for establishing a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence education in the state.

Recognizing the increasing role of technology in economic growth, the government is prioritizing technical training for youth. Currently, 286 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are operational in Uttar Pradesh, offering 1,90,064 seats across various trades. To promote women’s skill development, 47 women's branches function within government ITIs and 12 independent ITIs are exclusively for women.

With these initiatives, the Yogi government aims to strengthen education, military training, sports, and skill development, ensuring holistic growth for students and youth across Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh government is making significant strides in technical education, with training currently being provided in 184 diploma-level institutions nationwide. Additionally, 36 government polytechnics are under construction, while 251 smart classrooms have already been established in existing polytechnics.

To further modernize technical education, Rs 100 crore has been allocated for setting up Centers of Excellence equipped with advanced technology in government polytechnics. Additionally, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for renovating smart classrooms and laboratories and Rs 1 crore for establishing a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence education.

The Finance Minister announced key provisions for higher education and student welfare, including Rs 600 crore for PM Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 400 crore for the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Scheme to support meritorious female students, and Rs 100 crore for the CM’s Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to boost youth employment.

To improve infrastructure in higher education, Rs 50 crore has been allocated to establish Maa Vindhyavasini State University in Vindhyachal Dham division. In comparison, another Rs 50 crore will enhance basic facilities in state universities. Additionally, Rs 52 crore has been allocated to complete the construction of under-development government college buildings.

To promote scientific learning and innovation, the budget includes Rs 50 crore for establishing science parks, science cities, and planetariums across the state. Specifically, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for a Science City in Agra, while five crore has been designated for establishing a Science City and Planetarium in Varanasi.

With these initiatives, the Yogi government continues its commitment to strengthening technical education, advancing higher education infrastructure, and fostering scientific curiosity among students in Uttar Pradesh.