Punjab unveils Rs 17,975 crore education budget to drive reforms

The North News

Chandigarh, March 26

Punjab’s education budget for 2025-26 has been hailed as a transformative step, with Rs 17,975 crore—12% of total expenditure—earmarked for the sector, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said today.

The budget prioritizes school education through Mission Samrath, benefiting 1.4 million students in 19,000 schools and improving learning outcomes by 15-25%. Sharing details, Bains said that key allocations include Rs 1,240 crore for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 466 crore for PM Poshan, Rs 75 crore for free books, and Rs 35 crore for uniforms. The government is also converting 425 primary schools into ‘Schools of Happiness’ and has solar-powered 4,098 institutions.

Higher education has received Rs 199 crore under RUSA and Rs 160 crore for infrastructure upgrades, while technical education gets Rs 579 crore, including Rs 33 crore for new ITIs. Government ITIs recorded a 93.04% admission rate this year.

Bains emphasized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s vision of global standards in education, with hundreds of teachers trained at premier institutions. “This budget focuses on quality learning, holistic development, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive growth, positioning Punjab as a national leader in education,” he said.