Education's falling share in Budget over 12 years, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• Protests erupted at Jantar Mantar, led by disgruntled youth, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak.
• Over the past decade, more than 150 competitive examination papers have been leaked in India, with only two convictions in 45 major cases investigated.
• The Ministry of Education's share in the Union Budget has significantly decreased from 4.6% in 2013-14 to 2.5% in 2025-26.
• Allocations for both the Department of School Education and the Department of Higher Education have seen substantial reductions in their relative shares.
• In contrast, the share of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Union Budget has nearly trebled over the last 12 years, now exceeding the combined share of education and health.
• The share of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the budget remained minimal, declining from 0.06% to 0.05%.

Detailed Insights:

• The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has intensified public scrutiny over the government's handling of the education sector and accountability in examination processes.
• An investigation into 45 major exam paper leaks over two decades, each affecting at least one lakh applicants, revealed a significant lack of convictions, with most cases stalled or unresolved.
• The Ministry of Human Resource Development was officially renamed the Ministry of Education in August 2020, reflecting a renewed focus on education.
• Budgetary allocations, particularly as a percentage of the total Union Budget, serve as a key indicator of a government's policy priorities.
• Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) was utilized to analyze the trends in annual allocations to various ministries.
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was established in November 2014 to streamline and promote skill development initiatives across the nation.
• The substantial increase in funding for infrastructure, such as roads and highways, highlights a governmental emphasis on physical development over human capital development.
• The article suggests that while increased financial allocation does not guarantee quality, it is a crucial prerequisite for improving the education system.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NEET-UG: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), a standardized examination for admission to medical and dental courses in India.
• Union Budget: The annual financial statement of the Government of India, outlining its estimated receipts and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Budget Estimates: The initial financial projections and proposed allocations for various government ministries and departments.
• Ministry of Education: The central government body responsible for the development of education policy and planning in India.
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: A government ministry tasked with coordinating all skill development efforts and fostering entrepreneurship in the country.