New Delhi: The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed the creation of a high-powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Committee to recommend targeted measures for strengthening India’s services sector as a key driver of Viksit Bharat.
Presented in Parliament by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, the Budget outlines a series of education, skill development, and infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing growth, employment, and exports.
Education to Employment and Enterprise Committee to Focus on Services Sector Growth
As part of the Education to Employment and Enterprise framework, the proposed Standing Committee will identify priority areas to optimise the services sector’s contribution to economic expansion, job creation, and export potential.
The Committee will also evaluate the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, on employment trends and future skill requirements, and recommend appropriate measures.
New National Institute of Design Proposed for Eastern India
To address the growing demand for skilled designers, the Union Budget 2026–27 proposes the establishment of a new National Institute of Design in the eastern region of India through the challenge route.
The initiative aims to strengthen design education and support the rapid expansion of India’s design industry.
Five University Townships Planned Near Industrial and Logistics Corridors
Under the Education to Employment and Enterprise approach, the Government will support States through the challenge route to create five University Townships near major industrial and logistics corridors.
These townships will include multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres, and residential facilities, forming integrated academic and innovation ecosystems.
Girls’ Hostels to Be Established in Every District
To address challenges faced by women students in higher education STEM institutions, the Budget proposes the establishment of one girls’ hostel in every district. This initiative will be supported through viability gap funding (VGF) or capital support.
Also Read: Budget 2026–27: How City Economic Regions and Infrastructure Push Will Redefine Real Estate
Telescope Infrastructure to Be Upgraded for Astrophysics and Astronomy
The Union Budget 2026–27 also proposes setting up or upgrading four major telescope infrastructure facilities to promote astrophysics and astronomy through immersive learning experiences.
These include the National Large Solar Telescope, the National Large Optical Infrared Telescope, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the COSMOS 2 Planetarium.
Industry Reactions on Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee
Thyagu Valliappa, Founder of SCALE and Vice Chairman, Sona Valliappa Group, said, “The proposed ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee is a forward-looking step that strengthens the link between education, skills, and industry needs in India’s services economy. The focus on employability, emerging technologies like AI, and a stable policy environment through Safe Harbour and SEZ incentives will support long-term investment, sustainable jobs, and enterprise growth, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global services hub by 2047.”
Vivek Shankaranarayanan, Co-founder and CTO, Impactree.ai, said, “The Union Budget 2026 rightly positions artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as the backbone of India’s next phase of inclusive growth. The government’s commitment to measuring the impact of AI on jobs is welcome and timely. The ₹25-crore allocation for AI capacity-building missions and the proposal for a high-powered education to employment and enterprise committee on the service sector signal a forward-looking approach to making India a global knowledge and innovation hub by 2047.”
