Budget 2026

The Union Budget 2027 was unveiled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman through a presentation during which she highlighted the establishment of five University Townships adjacent to major Industrial and Logistic Corridors as part of the proposed University Townships initiative to develop integrated education hubs. In addition to the University Townships, the Minister announced that there would be at least one Women's Hostel in every District for the benefit of female students wishing to complete their Post-Secondary Education while raising a family". The Minister went on to say that the proposed University Townships would include multiple Universities, Colleges, Research Institutes, Skills Centres, and Housing Developments thus providing an integrated Hub for Education. 

"The government will work collaboratively with States using a Challenge funding mechanism to develop five University Townships in or near key Industrial and Logistics Corridors, said the Minister". "These University Townships will include numerous Universities, Colleges, Research Institutes, Skills Centres and Housing Developments" added the Minister. 

The finance secretary said that one (1) girls' hostel shall be built in all districts to help alleviate the challenges faced by women in obtaining an education at the postsecondary level. 

STEM-related degree pathways at postsecondary institutions typically require long days of both studying and conducting laboratory experiments. As such, girls are often faced with the same challenges as other women in completing their studies due to the lack of adequate shelter and resources. Each district shall develop at least one (1) dormitory for female students either via a capital-supported or Viability Gap Funding grant.