Union Ministry Clarifies Budget Increase for Higher Education in 2024-25

The Union Ministry of Education announced an over 6% increase in the budget allocation for the higher education department for 2024-25, amounting to Rs 47,619 crore. This clarification comes after reports suggested a budget decrease. Adjustments have been made for additional transfers in the previous fiscal year.

The Union Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday that the budget allocation for the higher education department in 2024-25 has been increased by more than six percent from last year, totaling over Rs 47,600 crore.

This clarification followed reports alleging a budget decrease for higher education this year. 'The budget for the Department of Higher Education for the Financial Year 2024-25 is Rs 47,619 crore, an increase of Rs 2,875 crore (6.43 percent) over RE 2023-24,' stated the ministry.

It was noted that the Revised Estimate for the department in the last financial year amounted to Rs 57,244 crore, signaling a perceived budget drop this year by over Rs 9,600 crore. The ministry explained that an additional Rs 12,500 crore was transferred to the Madhyamik and Uchhatar Shiksha Kosh (MUSK) in RE 2023-24, which was not utilized during FY 2023-24. Thus, the actual RE allocation for higher education was Rs 44,744 crore.

The budget allocation for school education also saw an increase, reaching Rs 73,498 crore, the highest-ever for the Department of School Education and Literacy, marking an over 19 percent rise from the previous year.

(With inputs from agencies.)