New Delhi, 01 February 2020: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Budget 2020-21 today. The Budget allocates Rs. 99,300 crore for education sector and Rs. 3000 crore for skill development in 2020-21.

In order to provide quality education to students of deprived section of the society as well as those who do not have access to higher education, it is proposed to start degree level full-fledged online education programme.

This shall be offered only by institutions who are ranked within top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking framework. Initially, only a few such institutions would be asked to offer such programmes, the Financed Minister announced while presenting the Budget.

Further, the Finance Minister informed that 150 higher educational institutions to start apprenticeship embedded degree/diploma courses by March 2021. Students in the general stream (vis-à-vis services or technology stream) need their employability improved. About 150 higher educational institutions will start apprenticeship embedded degree/diploma courses by March 2021.

“It is great to see the government’s impetus on online learning as the medium of choice for skill development and higher education in the country. We wholeheartedly welcome the government’s move to allow the top 100 institutions in NIRF to offer degree-level full-fledged online courses.” said Mohan Lakhamraju, Founder & CEO, Great Learning.

“Budget 2020 truly sharpens the country’s focus on becoming the next global hub for education. Significant announcements like the introduction of FDI in the education sector, launch of ‘Study in India’ programme, new apprenticeship programmes and online degree courses, besides the continued budget allocation for skill development, reiterate the government’s commitment towards the youth of our country. I am confident that these strategic initiatives will play a decisive role in the building of a New Digital India.”  Dr. Sanjay Gupta, VC of World University of Design.